Urgent: Repairs needed to restore a 250-year-old water system.

For over 250 years, a traditional underground water system known as a Karez canal has sustained the people of Qargha-Paghman in Afghanistan.

This system is more than a water source. It supports an entire community of more than 10,000 people by providing:

Today, that lifeline is at risk.

The Crisis

The water has not dried up, but the system that delivers it is failing. Recent flooding and natural wear have caused parts of the underground tunnels and wells to collapse, while debris has blocked the flow of water entirely.

As a result:

Most families do not have access to private wells, and drilling new wells is not a sustainable solution, especially as groundwater levels in Kabul have already dropped significantly.

The Solution

We are working to restore and rehabilitate the Karez canal system by:

This is not a temporary fix, this is a long-term, sustainable solution that has served the community for generations.

Funding Goal

To fully restore the system, we need: $40,000 – $50,000

This will cover:

Why Your Help Matters

By contributing to this project, you are not just donating, you are:

Project Plan & Timeline

The rehabilitation of the Karez (underground aqueduct system) will be carried out in carefully planned phases to ensure both immediate relief and long-term sustainability, and is expected to take approximately 90 to 120 days with a dedicated team of around 10 workers operating daily.

Although a general assessment of the Karez has already been completed, the project will begin with a detailed contractor-led field survey. An experienced Karez rehabilitation team, specialized in traditional Karez excavation and restoration, will be hired to reassess conditions on the ground alongside the community. This step is essential to confirm exact locations of collapses, blockages, and structurally weak areas.

Phase 1: Immediate Water Relief

The first priority is to restore water flow as quickly as possible. The team will identify and clear the most critical blockages in the Karez tunnels so that water can begin reaching the community again, even before full rehabilitation is completed.

Phase 2: Detailed Assessment & Planning

Once initial flow is restored, the team will:

Special attention will be given to approximately 20 wells that were blocked due to road construction activities, where excess soil was unfortunately dumped over them.

Phase 3: Rehabilitation & Construction

The work will include:

This phase will involve the use of proper equipment and skilled labor to ensure durability and safety.

Transparency & Accountability

We are committed to maintaining full transparency throughout this project:

Our goal is to ensure that every contribution is used responsibly and that donors can clearly see the impact of their support.

Project Leadership

The effort to rehabilitate the Karez (underground aqueduct system) will be led by Salahuddin Qargha, a civil engineer who studied in Peshawar, Pakistan. Salahuddin was also involved in the first phase of the project (2010-2011) as part of the quality control team, during which portions of the Karez that had been damaged by U.S. bombing were successfully restored.

The project will be guided by Dr. Zabihullah Mujaddidi, a civil engineer from Virginia Tech, who will serve as the senior technical expert. He will oversee the design, provide engineering guidance, and manage complex technical aspects of the project.

Saif Qargha, a civil engineer with a degree from the University of Florida, will coordinate the project from the United States. With over 26 years of professional experience in the U.S. and approximately eight years of engineering work in Afghanistan, he will support design review, oversee coordination efforts, and lead fundraising initiatives for the project.

The local representative (wakil-e guzar) will also be involved, along with a small team of community volunteers who will assist with basic daily tasks such as organizing the work area, coordinating with workers, and supporting communication between the community and the project team.

A Reminder

The Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

أفضل الصدقة سقي الماء

“The best charity is giving water.”

This is an opportunity for ongoing charity (Sadaqah Jariyah), a continuous source of reward that benefits people every single day.

Final Appeal

This is an urgent and time-sensitive project.

With your support, we can restore this historic water system and bring life back to an entire community.

Even a small contribution can make a real difference.

Please donate and share this campaign with others.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the fees? GoFundMe does not charge any platform fee (0%). The only fees applied are standard payment processing fees, which are approximately 2.2% + $0.30 per transaction for credit/debit cards (or 0% for ACH transfers).

Aside from these processing fees, 100% of your donation goes directly toward restoring the Karez and supporting the community.

About Watan Project

Watan Project is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by Afghan-Americans in Southern California. The organization focuses on humanitarian aid and community-driven initiatives in Afghanistan.

Since its founding, it has raised over $400,000 and supported projects including food distribution, emergency relief, and assistance for vulnerable families. The work is centered on transparency, local collaboration, and long-term impact.

Watan Project is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contributions to Watan Project are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Our tax identification number is 87-2151491.

​Questions?

If you have any questions, concerns, or inquiries please feel free to reach out to us! We will respond as fast as possible. Make sure to follow us on our Instagram page as well where updates will be shared regularly throughout the project.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/watanproject