31 March 2026
The month of March is the month in which OFARIN lost its founder, Dr. Peter Schwittek. Last year, on March 29, we lost our friend, our leader, and our teacher. That irreplaceable person left us forever. However, during his life, he built many friendships—indeed, many students—who, God willing, will continue his path and help turn his dreams into reality: dreams of friendship between Afghanistan and Germany, and a better life for Afghans.
After his passing, some people thought that OFARIN would also come to an end. But they were wrong about Dr. Schwittek’s friends. Even those who may not have had a strong capacity to work during his lifetime are now more motivated than ever. One year has passed, and OFARIN is still alive, continuing its work for the benefit of people every day.
Some also believed that OFARIN would no longer be able to secure funding. However, they did not realize that just as Dr. Schwittek and his colleagues were deeply committed to humanitarian work, the people who financially support OFARIN are also humanitarianminded. They consider OFARIN’s goals—improving the lives of Afghans—as their own, and they value them highly. Although OFARIN does not have large financial resources, it has managed to sustain its activities over the past year.
In March, we made significant progress in education. We reconnected with teachers whose classes had been inactive for a long time, and they are now working to restart them. So far, classes have been reactivated in several areas: 17 in Chandawol, 12 in Bini Hisar, 19 in Qalacha, 10 in Arzan Qeemat, 11 in Reshkhor, and 19 in Dasht-e-Barchi. More classes are reopening every day. In Khost province, locations have been selected for 20 classes, and teachers have received books. These classes are expected to start soon after evaluation. Additionally, 40 classes in Logar province have been reactivated. During March, educational materials—such as teacher guides—were printed and distributed according to need across Logar and Kabul. The plan is to have all classes fully active before April 10.
Figure 1 A meeting among local supervisor and teachers in Chindawol, Kabul
Hamid, Bahruddin, and our other colleagues, who for months had to visit the Ministry of Education or its departments daily—a very exhausting task—are now happily traveling to field locations to support the reopening and creation of classes. Our education activities, which have always been the main focus of OFARIN, have had a very positive effect on the mental well-being of our team. Everyone appears happy and hopeful. This project was very difficult to get approved, and we went through many challenges, even moments of disappointment. But now that we see results, it gives us energy and motivation.
One of the saddest things is that girls’ schools have remained closed again this year. Although this is not the first spring that girls’ schools have failed to reopen, there is one difference compared to previous years. In the past, at the beginning of spring, there used to be a lot of discussion about girls’ education, and if the schools did not reopen, people would express sadness and criticism. But this year, people have been much quieter than before—as if many have begun to forget that girls’ education is essential.
Figure 2 New started class in Dasht-e-barchi, Kabul
We had hoped to plant new saplings to replace those that dried out during the year by the end of March. However, due to tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban in the region, the Agriculture Department in Khost has not yet given us permission. It is worth mentioning that in our second reforestation project, the number of dried saplings is lower than usual.
According to agricultural department standards, losing up to 20% of saplings is normal when establishing a new orchard, but in our project, the estimated loss is less than 10%.
Although rain helps reduce drought, in a country like Afghanistan it can also cause damage. In the final days of March, heavy rains and floods killed at least 42 people, affected more than 1,000 families, and destroyed hundreds of homes, agricultural lands, and infrastructure. In Khost province alone, nearly 300 houses were destroyed. Due to deforestation, rainfall that once benefited the land now not only provides less benefit but also causes harmful floods.
Figure 3: Our walnut tree in spring 2026
On the night of March 16, Pakistani fighter jets once again carried out airstrikes, including in Kabul. One of the bombed locations was a rehabilitation camp for drug addicts called Omid, where more than 400 people were killed. The Omid camp had previously been a NATO military base before 2019, and later it was turned into a rehabilitation center by the Afghan government. Pakistan claims that the strike targeted weapons and ammunition, and that civilian casualties were caused by explosions of those materials.
Clashes between Pakistan and the Taliban have continued since they began. Although both sides announced a ceasefire during Eid al-Fitr, only the Taliban adhered to it. Pakistan continued artillery shelling in Khost, Kunar, and Nangarhar provinces, often hitting civilian areas. It should also be noted that Pakistani forces have suffered significant losses from Taliban attacks along the Durand Line. Since the Taliban mainly rely on guerrilla warfare and lack the equipment of a proper army like Pakistan’s, they often withdraw and hide during the day. As a result, Pakistani forces respond with artillery shelling.
Kind regards,
Hewad Khan