Every long journey, for a child
For the past 15 years, Sulaiman Haqyar has been working in a remote mountainous area of Parwan Province to protect children from polio, a paralyzing disease that can change a child’s life forever.
Parwan, Afghanistan – “If a child is paralyzed by polio, the pain is not that of one family alone; it is the pain of the entire community.”
It was this conviction that inspired Sulaiman Haqyar, a resident of Ghorband District, to join polio vaccination campaign teams fifteen years ago.
At the time, he saw firsthand that many families in his area had limited access to health services and little information about vaccines. Seeing the health struggles children faced, he was deeply affected and resolved to become part of the solution.
Today, fifteen years on, that same motivation still drives him.
Surrounded by mountains, the Sardarrah Fandaqistan area of Ghorband District in Parwan Province is one where access to health services remains challenging. Some villages are far apart and difficult to reach. But for Sulaiman, these journeys have become a regular part of his work.
During vaccination campaigns, his day begins early in the morning. He prepares the day’s plan together with his colleagues, organizes vaccines and necessary supplies, and sets out toward the families whose children are waiting for the vaccine.
Sulaiman Haqyar marks a child’s finger after administering the polio vaccine to confirm that she has been vaccinated. © Polio Free Afghanistan / 2026
“When I leave home in the morning, my only thought is that no child should be left without a vaccine,” Sulaiman says. “Whether the journey is long or the weather is cold or hot, I try to reach every child.”
But according to him, a polio campaign is not just about delivering vaccines. An important part of the work is raising people’s awareness and earning their trust.
When Sulaiman first started his work, many families had serious concerns about vaccines. Some were reluctant to vaccinate their children because of misinformation and rumors. Overcoming these concerns became one of the biggest challenges for him and his colleagues.
“We always strove to speak with families calmly and respectfully,” he says. “First, we listened to their concerns, and then we shared information about the benefits of vaccines.”
Sometimes a single visit was not enough to convince a family. Sulaiman and his colleagues would return multiple times, answer their questions, and provide information to earn their trust.
These persistent efforts gradually brought change.
Today, awareness in the area has grown significantly. Families that were once skeptical now welcome campaign teams and pay close attention to ensuring their children are vaccinated.
Over the years, Sulaiman has collected many memories from his work, but one stands out more than the rest.
During one campaign, he and his colleagues traveled to a remote area deep in the mountains. The journey was long and exhausting, but when they reached the village, they began vaccinating children. Gradually, villagers gathered in the courtyard of the mosque and watched them work.
Sulaiman says that at first, some people were uncertain. But once he and his colleagues spoke with them and shared information, attitudes began to change and people started cooperating with them.
At the end of the day, an elderly man approached them and said: “The fact that you come from so far away assures us that our children’s health matters to you. We too must do our part to protect them.”
Sulaiman says he has never forgotten the elderly man’s words. “Whenever I feel tired, I remember those words. They remind me that people see our efforts and value what we do.”
Sulaiman Haqyar vaccinates a child in a remote area of Ghorband District. He says reaching every child is an important part of the fight against polio. © Polio Free Afghanistan / 2026
The growing trust is not just Sulaiman’s impression; community leaders in the area have witnessed the change firsthand.
Haji Anwar, a local leader, says: “Compared to before, people’s awareness has increased. Most parents now believe that vaccines are important for a healthy and secure future for their children, and they make sure their children are vaccinated on time.”
Afghanistan remains one of the countries where polio has not yet been completely eradicated. Therefore, the joint efforts of health workers, vaccinators, community leaders, and families remain essential to protecting every child.
With the support of UNICEF and other partners, the polio eradication program continues its efforts to vaccinate children across the country, particularly in areas where access to health services remains limited.
For Sulaiman, this mission is not yet complete. He says his goal is for every child to have the chance to grow up healthy and protected.
He has a message for parents who still have concerns about vaccines: “Polio is a dangerous disease that can paralyze a child for life. Every child must be vaccinated on time to stay protected from this threat.”
“I hope to soon see the day when Afghanistan is declared completely free from polio. That day will be the greatest reward for our years of effort,” he says.
