Major Syd Dewes - Afghanistan

“They are a hard working people. Life is and always has been tough.”

"When rebuilding a nation, quick fix solutions are unlikely to succeed - long-lasting measures need to be created," says Major Syd Dewes.

Major Syd Dewes returned from Afghanistan this year, along with members of his patrol, a lot more thoughtful and aware of the plight of remote villagers. As a patrol commander, he and his team were allocated the Yakawlang District, in the West of Bamyan Province.

"Right from the start of our tour, as a team, we endeared ourselves to the local people in our area of operations. We adopted what I called 'Kia Ora' patrols," he explains.

"I determined that establishing and maintaining a presence merely by driving throughout the district wasn't good enough. We needed to stop, call into villages, introduce ourselves, and talk with the people and share choi (tea)."

This led to the development of the 'Kia Ora patrols'. Through this personal and frequent contact, people gradually revealed their affiliations, history, worries, and real hopes and dreams for their future.

"Some of the stories and their accounts, especially of the atrocities suffered under the Taleban in 2000/2001, were particularly revealing," says Major Dewes. "They are a proud people and particularly proud of their resistance to the Taleban."

It was through the conduct of Kia Ora patrols, rather than mere presence patrols, that valuable knowledge and an understanding were gained, which helped the Kiwis to achieve their mission.

Major Dewes says the patrols focused on initiatives that contributed to achieving the district's goals. While other agencies attended to the medical and education services, the New Zealand effort focused on improving roading, water quality, and maintaining a secure environment to allow the construction of appropriate infrastructure.

The key to the Kiwis' patrol success was encouraging local government to take ownership of the administration of the district. They avoided the 'quick impact initiatives' that would have looked good for the patrol, but would have little lasting impact for the villagers.

"It was important that when we left, we could look ourselves in the mirror and know we did our best. Leaving villagers better off than when we arrived was important, even if it meant more tangible results wouldn't be seen until later deployments of New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Teams (NZPRT)," he said.

In the warmer months of October and November 2007, the Kia Ora patrols drove throughout much of the district, venturing into the more remote areas before being halted by the harsh winter.

"This effort certainly did not go unnoticed by the local people. Other international aid agencies leave the district during the winter months but the NZPRT, through its continued presence, was seen as the only non-government organisation that was genuine in its efforts to help the people of Yakawlang," Major Dewes says.

He has a deep respect for those he came to know so well. "They are a hard working people. Life is and always has been tough."

Major Dewes, now a seasoned campaigner with over 30 years of New Zealand Army service, offers this advice on conducting a successful deployment to Afghanistan.

"We are just one of many who have passed this way over the centuries and it behoves us to remember it is still their country. Some of their practices would not be acceptable under a modern day western democracy, but that does not mean to say they are wrong.

"We must look at things in the context of their culture, history, location and their ability and willingness, or not, to change."