Improving education, healthcare and inclusion through circular partnerships since 2007
TYPE: Circular Development Programme – Education • Healthcare • Disability Inclusion • Sustainable Development
PROGRAMME PERIOD: 2007 – Present
GEOGRAPHICAL FOCUS: Ghor Province, Afghanistan
DONORS:
Reuse for the South (2007–2023)
GLOBUS Fund / CISU (2024–Present)
IMPLEMENTED BY: Rebuild Aid Forening (Denmark)
LOCAL IMPLEMENTING ORGANIZATION: Saifrood Unity and Aid Organization (SUAO)
DANISH PARTNERS: Educational institutions, hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centres, volunteer collectors, municipalities, schools and private donors across Denmark.
TARGET GROUP: Schools, hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centres, teachers, healthcare workers, children, persons with disabilities and vulnerable communities throughout Ghor Province.
Programme Overview
The Health and Education Support Programme in Ghor Province represents one of the longest-running international partnerships supporting social development in central Afghanistan.
Since 2007, the programme has worked to improve access to quality education, healthcare and rehabilitation services by giving high-quality surplus equipment from Denmark a second life in communities where such resources are scarce.
Rather than purchasing new equipment, the programme follows a circular development model, collecting, refurbishing and transporting furniture, educational materials, medical equipment, rehabilitation devices and assistive technologies from Denmark to Afghanistan.
Through this approach, equipment that would otherwise be discarded becomes valuable educational and medical resources capable of serving thousands of people.
Over more than seventeen years, the programme has become one of SUAO’s flagship development initiatives, demonstrating how international partnerships, environmental sustainability and local ownership can create lasting improvements for communities.
Why Ghor?
Ghor remains one of Afghanistan’s least developed provinces.
Its mountainous geography, scattered settlements and limited infrastructure have historically restricted access to quality education and healthcare.
Many schools have operated with little or no furniture, while health facilities have struggled with shortages of essential equipment.
Children, particularly girls, often faced barriers to learning because classrooms lacked desks, chairs, teaching materials and basic educational resources.
Hospitals and clinics frequently operated with outdated or insufficient equipment, limiting the quality of medical care available to patients.
Persons with disabilities also experienced significant challenges accessing mobility devices and rehabilitation equipment needed for independent living.
The programme was developed to address these interconnected needs through sustainable resource sharing rather than short-term relief.
A Circular Development Model
The programme is built around the principles of the circular economy.
High-quality equipment no longer required in Denmark is:
- Collected
- Inspected
- Refurbished
- Sorted
- Packed
- Transported
- Distributed
- Installed
- Documented
- Monitored
Instead of becoming waste, these resources continue serving communities where they generate significant educational and social value.
This model simultaneously reduces waste, promotes responsible consumption and supports sustainable international development.
Education Support
Education has been one of the programme’s primary pillars since 2007.
Thousands of educational items have been supplied to schools throughout Ghor Province.
Support has included:
- Classroom furniture
- Student desks
- Chairs
- Teacher desks
- Shelving
- Whiteboards
- Teaching materials
- Educational equipment
- School supplies
- Computer equipment
- Learning resources
Many schools that previously conducted lessons with children sitting on the floor have gradually transformed into structured learning environments equipped with proper classroom furniture.
Teachers have gained improved teaching conditions while students benefit from safer, more comfortable and more motivating learning environments.
The programme has also contributed to greater educational inclusion by improving access for girls and children with disabilities.
Strengthening Healthcare
The programme has also significantly strengthened healthcare services across Ghor Province.
Hospitals and clinics have received equipment including:
- Hospital beds
- Examination tables
- Delivery beds
- Diagnostic equipment
- Medical furniture
- Rehabilitation equipment
- Hygiene equipment
- Patient care equipment
- Clinical supplies
Improved equipment has enabled health facilities to treat more patients safely and efficiently while improving working conditions for healthcare professionals.
The programme has contributed to stronger local health systems and improved quality of care in underserved communities.
Disability Inclusion
A major component of the programme has been supporting persons with disabilities.
Equipment delivered includes:
- Wheelchairs
- Walking frames
- Crutches
- Mobility aids
- Rehabilitation equipment
- Assistive devices
These resources have helped many individuals regain mobility, independence and greater participation in family, education and community life.
For many beneficiaries, receiving appropriate assistive equipment represented a life-changing opportunity to attend school, seek employment or participate more actively in society.
Community Ownership
Local ownership has been central throughout implementation.
SUAO works closely with:
- Provincial authorities
- Education departments
- Public health institutions
- School administrations
- Hospital management
- Rehabilitation centres
- Community leaders
- Local volunteers
Equipment distribution follows documented needs assessments to ensure resources reach institutions where they create the greatest impact.
Engagement of Danish Communities
An equally important aspect of the programme is its educational value in Denmark.
Schools, students, volunteers, hospitals and institutions participate actively in collecting and preparing equipment.
This creates practical learning opportunities about:
- Global inequality
- Sustainable development
- Circular economy
- Responsible consumption
- Climate action
- International solidarity
- Humanitarian values
Students experience how local action in Denmark can contribute directly to improved living conditions for communities in Afghanistan.
Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)
Monitoring has been integrated throughout the programme.
SUAO conducts:
- Institutional needs assessments
- Distribution verification
- Installation monitoring
- Site visits
- Beneficiary interviews
- Follow-up with schools and hospitals
- Equipment utilisation assessments
- Photo documentation
- Progress reporting
- Lessons learned
Monitoring focuses not only on delivered equipment but also on how resources improve educational and health outcomes over time.
Programme findings continuously inform future shipments and strengthen overall implementation quality.
Accountability
The programme maintains strong accountability mechanisms through:
- Transparent beneficiary selection
- Institutional agreements
- Delivery documentation
- Asset registration
- Monitoring visits
- Community feedback
- Partner reporting
- Financial accountability
- Continuous communication with recipient institutions
These systems help ensure that donated resources reach their intended destinations and remain in productive use.
Programme Results
Since 2007, the programme has achieved substantial long-term results in Ghor Province.
Among the most significant achievements are:
- Schools transformed from floor-based classrooms into furnished learning environments.
- Healthcare facilities strengthened through improved medical equipment.
- Thousands of children gained access to improved educational environments.
- Persons with disabilities received mobility and rehabilitation equipment that increased independence and dignity.
- Teachers and healthcare workers benefited from improved working conditions.
- Local institutions increased their operational capacity.
- Community ownership and trust were strengthened.
- SUAO developed extensive expertise in logistics, distribution, institutional partnerships and long-term programme management.
Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals
The programme contributes directly to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Its strongest contributions include:
SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being by strengthening hospitals, clinics and rehabilitation services.
SDG 4 – Quality Education by improving school infrastructure and learning environments.
SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities through increased inclusion of persons with disabilities and underserved communities.
SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production through circular reuse of high-quality equipment.
SDG 13 – Climate Action by reducing waste and extending the lifespan of valuable resources.
SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals through long-term cooperation between Danish institutions, civil society and Afghan partners.
Long-Term Impact
Unlike emergency interventions, this programme has generated cumulative development impacts over nearly two decades.
Schools continue using furniture delivered many years ago.
Medical equipment continues supporting healthcare workers.
Persons with disabilities continue benefiting from assistive devices that improve mobility and independence.
Thousands of children have experienced improved learning conditions because classrooms became properly equipped.
Healthcare providers continue treating patients with equipment that would otherwise never have been available.
The programme demonstrates that sustainable partnerships, circular economy principles and strong local ownership can create lasting improvements that extend far beyond the initial delivery of equipment.