A Voice Risen from the Mountains; The Story of Mohammad Arif
Khost, Afghanistan — Qalandar is a remote district of Khost province, surrounded by towering mountains. Life here is not easy; basic services are scarce, traditions run deep, and change does not come easily.
Yet it is here that a young man named Mohammad Arif has emerged — launching a struggle that has become a beacon of hope for the healthy future of children.
Having completed his bachelor’s degree, he chose not to pursue another career. Instead, he decided to deliver the polio vaccine to children living in the mountains, who were deprived of basic health services.
Stepping into the Heart of a Traditional Community with Trust
The village of Landarai in Qalandar district is a place where people are deeply devoted to their traditions, customs, and beliefs, a community where bringing change takes time, and building trust requires great patience.
Mohammad Arif, a native of this very village, understands well that minds can only be changed through respect, patience, and compassion. “Many people lack proper awareness about polio and the vaccine,” he says. “Some are also influenced by misinformation. They must be informed and convinced through empathy, patience, and understanding.”
In such an environment, the fight against polio is not merely a technical task, it is a long journey of building trust, gaining acceptance, and engaging in continuous dialogue.
That is why Arif carries with him not only the vaccine, but also a message of patience, trust, and hope.
He adds: “I have never given up. Despite all the challenges, I have continued my struggle, because the health and bright future of children mean more to me than anything else.”
“People should be convinced through the lens of their own traditions and beliefs. Every conversation must be held with respect, patience, and a smile,” he says with firm conviction.
Inspired by this understanding, Arif realized that the path to changing people’s perceptions also passes through religious values. That is why he sought to use the power of the pulpit and the mosque to promote the protection of children.
Mohammad Arif with vaccinated children in Qalandar District © Polio Free Afghanistan / 2025
Building Trust under the Shade of Religious Values
In a place where religious teachings deeply influence daily life, Arif quickly realized that faith was the strongest key to opening minds. He reached out to religious scholars and local leaders, gained their support, and began spreading the message of polio vaccination from the mosque’s pulpit.
Arif says, “When the imam declared from the pulpit that vaccination is our religious duty — and that whoever saves one life, it is as if they have saved all of humanity — his words deeply touched people’s hearts. Many families then agreed to vaccinate their children.”
Arif considers this an important achievement, but says the work is far from over, because building trust is a continuous process of humanity, patience, and commitment.
The support of religious scholars, along with Arif’s tireless efforts, gradually changed people’s minds. Doubt turned into trust, and from that moment, the journey of change began.
Having completed his bachelor’s degree, Mohammad Arif chose not to pursue another career. Instead, he decided to deliver the polio vaccine to children living in the mountains, who were deprived of basic health services © Polio Free Afghanistan / 2025
The Ongoing Journey of Trust
One of the village residents, Haji Abdul Rahman, who was once hesitant to vaccinate his children, is now a strong supporter of vaccination. “I used to think vaccines were useless,” he says. “But after hearing Arif, and later the imam, I realized they are essential for children’s health. Now I tell others myself: make sure your children are vaccinated.”
Like Haji Abdul Rahman, many family elders are now actively ensuring their children are vaccinated. Arif’s words, kindness, and efforts to build trust have transformed the atmosphere across the entire area.
A local health worker also praises Mohammad Arif’s efforts, saying, “For years, Mohammad Arif has worked selflessly for the good of his community. He always says that as long as even one child remains unvaccinated, he will not rest.”
This sentence has become the guiding motto of Arif’s life. Despite challenges and hardships, he has never given up his work. For him, this struggle is not just a job — it is a calling.
He believes this journey will only end when every child in every village and every home across Afghanistan is protected from the threat of polio.
His faith and dedication have become a source of inspiration for others. The echo of his tireless footsteps now resonates in the hearts of people across the entire area as a voice of hope.
If Qalandar district is declared free of the poliovirus one day, it will be thanks to the tireless efforts of this young man and his companions — those who believe that behind every drop lies the future of a nation.
