Afghan woman gives hope to addicts

Published October 9, 2012
Former addicts serve food for customers at the Taj Begum restaurant. – Photo by Reuters
Former addicts serve food for customers at the Taj Begum restaurant. – Photo by Reuters
Customers wait for their food to arrive at the Taj Begum restaurant. – Photo by Reuters
Customers wait for their food to arrive at the Taj Begum restaurant. – Photo by Reuters
A former addict grills kebabs for customers. – Photo by Reuters
A former addict grills kebabs for customers. – Photo by Reuters
Another employee sings at the Taj Begum restaurant. – Photo by Reuters
Another employee sings at the Taj Begum restaurant. – Photo by Reuters
The employees sit and take a break from their daily work. – Photo by Reuters
The employees sit and take a break from their daily work. – Photo by Reuters
A recovering addict is reflected in a mirror hung at the restaurant.  – Photo by Reuters
A recovering addict is reflected in a mirror hung at the restaurant. – Photo by Reuters
All the employees sit together to eat dinner. – Photo by Reuters
All the employees sit together to eat dinner. – Photo by Reuters
An employee sweeps the floors after the restaurant is closed for the day. – Photo by Reuters
An employee sweeps the floors after the restaurant is closed for the day. – Photo by Reuters
Masoma, 25, a former drug addict cries as she speaks at "The Mother Camp", a part of the Taj Begum restaurant. – Photo by Reuters
Masoma, 25, a former drug addict cries as she speaks at "The Mother Camp", a part of the Taj Begum restaurant. – Photo by Reuters
A drug addict sleeps at "The Mother Camp” – Photo by Reuters
A drug addict sleeps at "The Mother Camp” – Photo by Reuters
Fatima, 21, a resident at "The Mother Camp" smokes a cigarette. – Photo by Reuters
Fatima, 21, a resident at "The Mother Camp" smokes a cigarette. – Photo by Reuters
One of the residents of "The Mother Camp" reads before sleeping. – Photo by Reuters
One of the residents of "The Mother Camp" reads before sleeping. – Photo by Reuters
Two men indulge in board game at "The Mother Camp." – Photo by Reuters
Two men indulge in board game at "The Mother Camp." – Photo by Reuters
A former addict dances during a group therapy session. – Photo by Reuters
A former addict dances during a group therapy session. – Photo by Reuters

Laila Haidari, an Afghani woman is using $26,000 borrowed from friends to launch a daring project to aid Afghans addicted to opium. She runs a Kabul restaurant that employes recovered drug addicts. The Taj Begum restaurant serves an array of Afghan, Iranian and Turkish dishes while operating simultaneously as a shelter, while the Mother Camp provides a place for the addicts to live and recover.

For the full story click here

Opinion

In defamation’s name

In defamation’s name

It provides yet more proof that the undergirding logic of public authority in Pakistan is legal and extra-legal coercion rather than legitimised consent.

Editorial

Mercury rising
Updated 27 May, 2024

Mercury rising

Each of the country's leaders is equally responsible for the deep pit Pakistan seems to have fallen into.
Antibiotic overuse
27 May, 2024

Antibiotic overuse

ANTIMICROBIAL resistance is an escalating crisis claiming some 700,000 lives annually in Pakistan. It is the third...
World Cup team
27 May, 2024

World Cup team

PAKISTAN waited until the very end to name their T20 World Cup squad. Even then, there was last-minute drama. Four...
ICJ rebuke
Updated 26 May, 2024

ICJ rebuke

The reason for Israel’s criminal behaviour is that it is protected by its powerful Western friends.
Hot spells
26 May, 2024

Hot spells

WITH Pakistan already dealing with a heatwave that has affected 26 districts since May 21, word from the climate...
Defiant stance
26 May, 2024

Defiant stance

AT a time when the country is in talks with the IMF for a medium-term loan crucial to bolstering the fragile ...