Polio Vaccination Campaign Volunteer: “I Want to Play My Part in Preventing Polio
Hosai Ahmadzai
Kabul, Afghanistan – Ajmal, a 27-year-old resident of the Deh Sabz district in Kabul, is a young vaccinator who travels hours every day on his old motorcycle to reach children in his designated area and administer polio vaccines.
Having graduated from high school, Ajmal has not been able to pursue higher education due to financial difficulties. While other members of his family are work in farming and livestock, he has taken on the responsibility of working as a vaccinator to safeguard children from polio.
Not only does Ajmal administer the polio vaccine to children during every campaign, but he also educates families about the dangers of polio and the benefits of vaccination.
“When I saw children in various provinces of the country getting infected with polio and becoming paralyzed, I wanted to do my part in preventing this disease. I decided to work as a vaccinator because, in this way, I can make a difference in the lives of the innocent children in my community,” he said.
Not only does Ajmal administer the polio vaccine to children during every campaign, but he also educates families about the dangers of polio and the benefits of vaccination. © Polio free Afghanistan/ 2024/ Hosai Ahmadzai
Ajmal explained that although he faces many challenges in his job, he never loses his patience, he continues his work with full determination and during his one year of service, he has vaccinated hundreds of children.
“By giving children two drops of the vaccine, I am safeguarding their future because I know how dangerous and merciless polio is. This disease paralyzes children and makes them a burden on their family and society for the rest of their lives,” he said.
To those families who are misinformed and refuse to vaccinate their children, Ajmal’s message is simple yet powerful: “Unfortunately, there is no cure for polio. We must prevent it through vaccination. I assure you that the polio vaccine is safe and effective, and it has saved the lives of millions of children around the world,” he said.
Ajmal’s father, Haji Abdul Rahim, is proud of his son’s work and says that Ajmal is performing a very important duty.
“Ajmal is my son, and I am very proud of his work. Every day when he leaves the house, my prayers are with him because I know that safeguarding the future of the children is an extremely important responsibility,” he said.
He emphasized that protecting children from polio is not only the responsibility of volunteers and vaccinators like his son but that all members of society should unite in fulfilling this important national duty. Through this he added, we can achieve a polio-free Afghanistan.
Ajmal says, “By giving children two drops of the vaccine, I am safeguarding their future because I know how dangerous and merciless polio is. This disease paralyzes children and makes them a burden on their family and society for the rest of their lives.” © Polio free Afghanistan/ 2024/ Hosai Ahmadzai
Ajmal’s colleague, Farooq, who also works as a vaccinator, remarked on Ajmal’s dedication, noting that Ajmal has a great sense of responsibility. He considers safeguarding children from polio his national duty and never neglects his work.
He said, “Ajmal and I always work together. I see that he considers the future of the country’s children as important as the future of his own family’s children, and he works very hard to ensure that the polio vaccine reaches every last child.”
Farooq believes that if every volunteer in the polio vaccination campaign performs their duties as responsibly as Ajmal, a polio-free Afghanistan will soon become a reality.
Ajmal’s efforts not only bring about positive change in the health and safety of children in his community but also inspire the youth in the country to work for their society as he does.
It is people like him who stand against challenges and obstacles and work for the future of the nation’s children, with every drop of vaccine administered being a hope for a healthier Afghanistan.
