Rohullah Halimi; A Symbol of Courage and Faith Who Has Safeguarded the Future of Thousands of Children
Parwan, Afghanistan — A young man from Funduqistan village in Ghorband District of Parwan province has protected thousands of children from polio through vaccination.
The young man’s name is Rohullah Halimi, and for the past six years, he has been working on the frontlines of the fight against polio as a dedicated volunteer.
He says this is not just a job, but a religious and humanitarian duty: “I carry out my duty to ensure that the children in my area are protected from the threat of polio, an incurable disease.”
From an Atmosphere of Doubt to Trust – The Beginning of a Commitment
Rohullah joined the fight against polio at a time when doubts about the vaccine were widespread in his area. Some people had fallen prey to misinformation, while others openly opposed vaccination. But he had made a firm commitment that he would not remain indifferent.
“I went door to door, encouraging parents to bring out their children so they could be protected from lifelong paralysis with just two drops of the vaccine. It was, in fact, a call to save humanity, a call that had to be heard.”
He gained the support of local religious scholars, tribal elders, and other respected community figures, and with their help, raised awareness about polio and the importance of vaccination, encouraging families not to deprive their children of the life-saving vaccine.
Although the process took time, the atmosphere of distrust gradually changed, and as a result, many families eventually agreed to vaccinate their children.
Rohullah administers the polio vaccine to a child in his area © Polio Free Afghanistan / 2025
The Commitment and Sacrifices Behind the Struggles
Rohullah has faced many challenges along the way, but with the support of his team, he has continued to deliver the polio vaccine to children in all circumstances.
He recalls one experience: “Once, during a polio vaccination campaign, heavy snow had fallen. Most of the roads in Ghorband District were blocked, and the risk of danger was high. My colleagues told me that delivering vaccines to children in such conditions wouldn’t be easy. I told them that polio is a silent enemy that does not wait, and neither can we. So, we walked for hours through the snow until we delivered vaccines to every child in the village.”
Thanks to the efforts of Rohullah and his team, many parents who once had doubts are now strong supporters of vaccination.
He recalls another story: “There was once a father who refused to vaccinate his child. I told him, ‘Do not become the enemy of your own child. I have seen many children suffer lifelong paralysis because of polio, and now their parents have only one regret — not vaccinating their children. I don’t want your child to face the same fate or become a burden on society. You, too, would regret it when it’s too late. Before that happens, your child must be vaccinated to stay safe from this dangerous disease.'”
He says his words had an impact on the child’s father, who finally agreed to vaccinate his son. In essence, it was a change of mindset that ensured the safety of a child.
Rohullah: “Every time I place vaccine drops into a child’s mouth, I feel as though I have helped protect the life of all humanity.” © Polio Free Afghanistan / 2025
Community Trust – The True Strength Behind the Fight
The tireless efforts of Rohullah and his team have transformed people’s thinking. Today, Funduqistan and the surrounding villages have become examples of trust and awareness. Old fears about vaccination have faded away, and now the residents of these areas not only vaccinate their own children but also encourage other families to do the same.
The imam of Funduqistan village says, “Rohullah is a role model for the young people in our village. He has shown that true service is not about words but about action. Now people see vaccination as an essential part of their children’s lives.”
Haji Mohammad Asif, a tribal leader from the village, also praises Rohullah’s efforts: “Our area was once a victim of doubt, but Rohullah and his team showed through their actions that vaccines save lives. Now we are all united in the fight to end polio.”
An Inspiring Message
Today, thousands of children in Funduqistan and the surrounding areas of Ghorband District are safe from the threat of the poliovirus. This is the result of years of dedication by Rohullah Halimi and his like-minded fellow volunteers.
He says, “Every time I place vaccine drops into a child’s mouth, I feel as though I have helped protect the life of all humanity.”
The efforts of Rohullah and thousands of volunteers like him show that change always begins with one heart, one step, and one belief — because the fight against polio is a shared responsibility of all humanity.
