Residents of a town in Taliban-controlled Afghanisan have sold one of their kidneys due to poverty and desperation, giving the community the moniker "One Kidney Village."
The situation is so bad that the people of the Herat town in northwestern Afghanistan are selling off their organs just to buy food, pay debts, and even prevent the sale of a child.
Brokers act as middlemen to match wealthy people with health problems, sometimes from abroad, with healthy but poor locals who are in desperate need of cash.
Once a match is made, the organs are sold for as little as between US$1,500 (131,000 Afghanis) and US$2,500 (218,000 Afghanis), but for the seller, the proceeds run out quickly after it is used to pay off debts and buy food supplies.
The vicious cycle then repeats with the kidney seller often falling back into hardship soon afterwards as he/she becomes too weak to work as a result of the surgery.
The surgeries are mainly conducted in two hospitals in town with the consent of the donors, but the practice is largely unregulated. For example, the hospital does not bother how the organ recipient gets a donor to agree to the procedure.
Certain families are left with the bleak choice of selling their kidneys or have their children out on the streets begging, or worse still, sell off their children.
In recent months, reports have also surface of parents offering their very young daughters into marriage or childless couples for money, because they can no longer afford to feed the girls.
The situation is the war-torn country has been bad the last few years, but has further worsened after the Taliban takeover seven months ago.
More than 24 million people - 59 percent of the population, are at risk of famine, and half a million Afghans have lost their jobs.
Source: New York Times, nationalpost.com
Photo source: AFP
Thu Mar 17 2022
.jpg?ext=.jpg)

Register Now for Astro Kasih's 'Walk for Education' on 28 May
Join Astro Kasih's 'Walk for Education' on 28 May to raise awareness of the hardships faced by the students in the interiors of Sabah and Sarawak, just to attend school. Register now!
.jpg?ext=.jpg)
This is How 'Petchiammal' Became 'Muthu Master' to Raise Her Daughter
A woman from Tamil Nadu, who was widowed shortly after marriage, disguised herself as a man for more than 30 years to singlehandedly raise her daughter.

Astro's Suthesan Jeyaramah Wins Asia Awards for 11 Years of Excellence in Graphic Design
Astro's Graphic Designer cum Editor Suthesan Jeyaramah has won the Asia Awards in recognition of his varied work in his 11 years in the industry.

UM Hindu Association to Hold National Moral Quiz Competition
The Hindu Society of Universiti Malaya (HISUM) will be organizing the 26th National Level Moral Quiz Competition on 18 and 19 June, 2022. Here's how you can join.

Meet The First Indian Horseback Archer
Rubentheran Sivagurunathan is the country's first Indian horseback archer, and he wants more Indians to be involved in the sport. Here's his story...

Boy, 5, Secures Spot in Record Book for Naming 80 Dinosaurs in One Minute!
Most adults may not be able to tell apart one dinosaur from another, but five-year-old Siddhar Kanagarajah has secured a spot in the Malaysia Book of Records by naming 80 dinosaurs in just one minute!
.jpg?ext=.jpg)
Aspiring Scientists, Build and Launch your Own CanSats!
Measat Global Bhd, in partnership with APADILANGIT, is organising the CanSat Competition 2022, in conjunction with the upcoming launch of the Measat-3d satellite on June 23, 2022. Here's how you can join.

Food Going To Waste? Call the Food Rangers!
What do you do when you don't want excess food from your function to go to waste? Call the Food Rangers of course!

A Young Scientist's Journey From Nagalilit Estate To London
Dr Rajesh Ramasamy has come a long way from his days of growing up in an estate in Kedah. This is the scientist's inspiring journey...

Pubs and Nightclubs Reopening: These are the Rules to Follow
Eager to go clubbing when pubs and nightclubs reopen this weekend? Make sure you get your COVID-19 self-test done first before you head out to your favorite joint. Check out more guidelines lined up by the government here...

Was Sivakarthikeyan the First Choice to Play 'Rambo' in KRK?
Actor Sivakarthikeyan was first roped in to play 'Rambo' in Vignesh Shivn's 'Kathuvakkula Rendu Kadhal'? Here's what happened...

Join "Baba's & U Enggal Insta Chef" Contest & Stand A Chance To Win Up To RM10,000 Grand Prize!
Participate in the "Baba's & U Enggal Insta Chef" monthly contest by uploading your cooking video on social media and be in the running to win RM1,000 monthly cash prize and RM10,000 grand prize!

Is Director Lokesh Kanagaraj Creating a Kollywood Cinematic Universe?
There have been many speculations about the connection between Kaithi and Vikram! Here's what we know...
.png?ext=.png)
Tasty Maracurry Mess Recipes Fresh from The Pot!
Maracurry Mess is a show airing on Astro Vaanavil (Ch201), featuring renowned local chef Rajesh Subramaniam whipping up delicious vegetarian dishes.

Remembering The Modern Age Yoga Gurus
While many new-era yoga gurus and political leaders have promoted yoga to the world, let us remember some of the greatest modern-time yoga gurus in India who have brought the art to the West, and the rest of the world.

Usher in the Harvest Festival With Up to 40% Discount in Astro Go Shop
Go Shop, Malaysia’s leading home shopping and ecommerce platform, ushers in the Harvest festival with its Kaamatan and Gawai campaign to offer discounts of up to 40% off and free shipping to East Malaysia till 5 June as part of the Pesta Kaamatan and Hari Gawai festivities this year.

Register Now for Astro Kasih's 'Walk for Education' on 28 May
Join Astro Kasih's 'Walk for Education' on 28 May to raise awareness of the hardships faced by the students in the interiors of Sabah and Sarawak, just to attend school. Register now!

Aadhi & Nikki Galrani's Wedding: Check Out the Celebrities in Attendance!
Here's a list of celebrities who attended Aadhi and Nikki Galrani's wedding!
.jpg?ext=.jpg)
This is How 'Petchiammal' Became 'Muthu Master' to Raise Her Daughter
A woman from Tamil Nadu, who was widowed shortly after marriage, disguised herself as a man for more than 30 years to singlehandedly raise her daughter.

'Naamastay Hip Hop', Coming to Blaze a Stage Near You!
Local Tamil Hip Hop fans rejoice. The 'Naamastay Hip Hop' concert is coming soon to a stage near you, featuring seasoned and upcoming artistes in the industry. Here's how you can be a part of it.