“Every Child Has the Right to Grow Up Healthy”
Kunar, Afghanistan — Abdul Rahman Qazi Khel, a young man from Asadabad, the capital of Kunar province, has made the fight against polio not just his job but the purpose of his life.
He has been on the front lines of polio vaccination campaigns for more than thirteen years, and through his dedicated work, he has helped protect hundreds of children from paralysis.
He says, “The sweetest moment for me is when I see a smile appear on a child’s face after receiving the vaccine — that’s when I know the child is safe from paralysis. That feeling gives true meaning to my life.”
From Volunteering to Leadership
Abdul Rahman’s story is one of tireless dedication and a deep sense of responsibility. His journey began as a volunteer, working with sincerity in challenging and often difficult conditions. It was the result of these consistent efforts that, in 2020, he was appointed as a field supervisor for the polio vaccination campaign, a recognition of his years of commitment, perseverance, and outstanding service.
Today, Abdul Rahman leads teams of volunteers, providing them with guidance, training, and support while ensuring the quality of every campaign. His day begins with a clear strategy and an organized plan: reviewing field maps, assigning teams, prioritizing hard-to-reach areas, and ensuring timely data collection and reporting. He firmly believes that “A successful campaign starts with good planning, long before the first door is knocked on.”
Abdul Rahman Qazi Khel, a young man from Asadabad, the capital of Kunar province, has made the fight against polio not just his job but the purpose of his life. © Polio Free Afghanistan / 2025
Challenging Paths, Steadfast Commitment
Kunar’s vast mountains, uneven roads, and sudden rainfalls make every polio campaign a true test of patience, discipline, and ingenuity.
Abdul Rahman faces these realities every day, yet his determination never wavers. Within his team, he has established a clear principle: “No child should ever be left unvaccinated, even if the last house is on the mountaintop.”
In every campaign, Abdul Rahman goes out to the field with his teams, speaking with parents and helping them understand the importance of the polio vaccine. At the end of each day, he collects data, identifies gaps, and develops alternative plans for the next day.
This organized way of working has strengthened his team, enabling them to maintain high vaccination coverage even in difficult areas and to convince families who were once hesitant.
Learning, Inspiration, and Lasting Impact
Abdul Rahman is not only a frontline leader in vaccine delivery, he is also a mentor in teamwork and knowledge sharing. New volunteers listen to him, learning how to communicate simple and convincing messages to parents and how to apply practical solutions to challenges in the field. His teams share their observations with neighboring areas, identify common problems, and develop clear, actionable plans to overcome them.
Abdul Rahman has been on the front lines of polio vaccination campaigns for more than thirteen years, and through his dedicated work, he has helped protect hundreds of children from paralysis. © Polio Free Afghanistan / 2025
A Hope that Knows No Borders
Abdul Rahman’s goal is clear: “No child should ever fall victim to polio again. Every child has the right to grow up healthy, and it is our duty to protect that right.”
His message to parents is simple and clear: “Dear mothers and fathers, your trust means everything to us. When you vaccinate your children, you’re not only protecting your own family, you’re also safeguarding the entire community. Your understanding and patience are the keys to success. Never forget — every drop is a promise of health and happiness.”
Shared Responsibility, Bright Outcome
The fight against polio is not a short journey, but it follows a simple rule: in every campaign, every child must receive two drops of the vaccine.
Abdul Rahman is a man who lives by that principle. He doesn’t just vaccinate children, he dispels doubts, builds trust, and strengthens his team.
Now the responsibility rests with all of us. If parents continue to vaccinate their children regularly, polio will soon become nothing more than a story from the past.
This is what Abdul Rahman’s hard work and dedication truly mean: protecting every child’s smile — until those smiles light up the face of all Afghanistan.
