Khyal Mohammad Mashkoor: Safeguarding the Future of Children in His Community
Paktia, Afghanistan – Khyal Mohammad Mashkoor, a 33-year-old resident of Dawlatzai village in the provincial capital of Paktia, is a dedicated volunteer for the polio vaccination campaign who has devoted his life to ensuring the safety of children.
For the past five years, he has not only administered polio vaccines to thousands of children in his area but has also educated hundreds of families about the dangers of polio and the benefits of vaccination.
Efforts and Dedication
After completing his education, Khyal Mohammad Mashkoor dedicated himself to the mission of protecting the children in his community from polio as a volunteer, despite facing numerous challenges along the way.
His efforts have not been limited to simply administering vaccines to children. He has regularly held gatherings in mosques, guestrooms, and other public spaces to engage with people and educate them about the dangers of polio and the importance of vaccination.
“This work wasn’t easy. Initially, there were many challenges, including misconceptions and negative rumors about the polio vaccine. Many families, influenced by these beliefs, refused to vaccinate their children,” he said.
However, he adds that with the support of his team, he worked tirelessly to show them the facts and make them understand that vaccination is the only way to protect children from the crippling disease of polio.
He said with joy: “In the past five years—during which I have served as a volunteer in polio vaccination campaigns—I have had the privilege of, on one hand, vaccinating thousands of children, and on the other, educating hundreds of families about the importance of vaccination.”
He says that as a result of his and his colleagues’ efforts, awareness among the village’s residents has significantly increased, and people have realized that vaccination is the only way to safeguard their children from polio.
He added, “Now, there is no family in our village that does not vaccinate their children against polio.”
As a father of three children himself, Mashkoor begins every polio vaccination campaign in his own home, vaccinating his children first.
This action serves as a practical message to other families, encouraging them to take polio vaccination seriously and prioritize their children’s health.
Mashkoor, in his message to his community, said, “Polio limits the future of children. Two drops of the vaccine in every campaign can safeguard their lives. Please vaccinate your children on time and protect them from this calamity.” © Polio Free Afghanistan/ 2024/ Rahmatullah Marjankhil
Community Support
The tireless efforts of Khyal Mohammad Mashkoor and his colleagues have brought about a positive change in the region. People are now more aware and supportive of vaccinators.
Mawlawi Sayed Raza Mukhlis, a religious scholar from the Dawlatzai area, says, “Protecting children’s lives is the responsibility of parents. Polio vaccination is an excellent tool to safeguard children from diseases, and the community must support vaccination campaigns.”
He adds that preventing diseases is highly valued in Islam, and those who work towards this goal deserve immense rewards.
Local leader Haji Habib Rahman, who always ensures his children are vaccinated on time, praises the efforts of Mashkoor and other volunteers. He says, “Polio, as a dangerous disease, threatens the future of our community. It is our collective responsibility to eradicate this disease. Every drop of vaccine is a shield for a child’s life.”
Khyal Mohammad Mashkoor’s Message to the People
Mashkoor, in his message to his community, said, “Polio limits the future of children. Two drops of the vaccine in every campaign can safeguard their lives. Please vaccinate your children on time and protect them from this calamity.”
Rahmatullah Marjankhil, Polio Free Afghanistan
