When the heavy spring rains came this year, the community of Gozar-e Shahrak (a sub-district of Mazari Sharif) was badly affected by flooding. To assist the residents, USAID sponsored a ditch-excavation project to channel water along main streets and prevent future floods. Twenty-five workers earned an income for their participation in the project, during which they dug 2,400 meters of a drainage ditch. More importantly, the community itself contributed to the project by raising funds to buy 115 pipe culverts and the cement to place them. The culverts were installed at intersections along the main street to allow water to flow along the full stretch of the canal. Through support from USAID and the local community, residents of Gozar-e Shahrak are now safe from future flooding.