Laila At The Bridge

Laila Haidari is the founder of “Life is Beautiful” locally known as “Mother’s Camp”

A member of the international organisation Narcotics Anonymous.

It is locally known by hundreds of recovered drug addicts as “Camp-e Mathar” (or Mother Camp). Laila Haidari, nicknamed as “Mother.”

Iranian-born Afghani Haidari had originally come to Kabul after divorcing her husband and had just launched her career as a filmmaker and was there to visit a film festival.

The sight of numerous drug users living and dying under the infamous Pul-i-Sokhta bridge over Kabul River in western Kabul moved Laila into action. She decided to set up a shelter ‘Mother’s Camp’, which uses only group therapy and no medication to overcome addiction. In addition, she borrowed money to open a restaurant Taj Begum in nearby Karte-Seh, to create employment for former addicts, and to generate income for the treatment center. Many of these men became addicted while disconnected from their families, often working hard-labour jobs outside of Afghanistan. Her interventions are much needed in the country.

More on Laila Haidari:

• Laila Haidari @ Facebook
• N-Peace Network
• Anti-drug activist, Laila Haidari, narrowly escapes attempt on life in Kabul, Afghanistan

#amazingafghnaistan