By Every year from March till mid-May, the government, private sector, NGOs and Afghan citizens celebrate the New Year by planting trees and flowers in parks, on hills, inside ministry gardens, around hospitals and in their courtyards. New Year is a time of joy and fresh beginnings for people who have endured a harsh winter and now want to enjoy the warmth of the sun and the emerging greenery.

On 10th April, 2009, a group of young people in Kabul city gathered together to plant rose bushes on the grounds of Aliabad Hospital. These male and female volunteers are part of the Sela Group and come from different walks of life. They are university students, employees working with international organizations, journalists, businessmen and economists. They are motivated to make a difference in their surroundings and to set an example for other citizens about ways to contribute to Afghanistan’s reconstruction.

Aliabad Hospital was seriously damaged during the civil war and recently has gone through a major renovation. By planting roses, The Sela Group hoped to beautify the boulevards and gardens that surround the hospital and to create a healing environment for the patients, patient's attendees, hospital workers and doctors.  We all know that people who are ill need the skills and support of professional doctors and nurses.  It is the belief of the volunteers of Sela Group that people who are ill also have psychological needs and these needs can be better met in an environment that is clean, peaceful and green.The rose-planting program was coordinated with the Kabul Medical University Chancellor and the hospital maintenance workers. Specific planting areas were selected and hospital gardeners were appointed to work with the volunteers to ensure that the roses were planted properly.

Each volunteer sent out emails and made telephone calls to their friends and families to raise funds.  Approximately 250 rose bushes and 50 trees were purchased and planted, not only with the assistance of the gardeners, but also with the help of people living around the hospital area who were motivated by the group's work and enthusiasm.

 The results of our efforts have been outstanding.   Already the roses have started to bloom and after only one month, the area is greener and more beautiful. The Sela Group has convinced the Ministry of Agriculture to donate more trees and plants and the doctors and Medical University students have each donated and planted a rose bush, thereby, adding another 1500 roses and trees to the university and hospital grounds.

Programs initiated by a small group of responsible citizens can inspire and encourage others to participate in the rebuilding of the country.   When we take such actions, everyone benefits.  Our lives become more hopeful and healthier and our surroundings more beautiful and greener.

Mujtaba Sabri is in his final year of medicine at the Kabul Academy of Sciences Hospital and is busy preparing for his U.S. medical residency exam.

SELA is a group of volunteers working to help the most vulnerable and needy Afghans.