ABDULLAH BARAT
Future Generations Canada Country Director

"I want to help my people in Afghanistan to have a better way of life. I am so happy to have the opportunity to be part of a team led by Flora."

Abdullah Barat, FGC’s country director in Afghanistan, was born in the Bamyan province of central Afghanistan. Abdullah immigrated to Canada in 1994, fleeing the civil war in his home country. While living in Ottawa, members of the Afghan community introduced him to Flora, who persuaded him to return to Afghanistan to work with Future Generations as a field officer. He agreed to do so and in February of 2002 he was en route to India for a month-long training session in community development. In April of that year, he took up his position as program director in the Shahidan valley of Bamyan province, his native birthplace.

Now, Abdullah works alongside hundreds of volunteers in communities in Afghanistan. Abdullah's great talent lies in mobilizing people – from villagers to government officials – to work towards positive change in Afghanistan through education, lobbying, facilitation and practical assistance. He sees his essential role in a more modest light: "I am just a community worker who has connections outside of the country, who knows people in the government and, most importantly, who respects the contribution the community people can make."