Canada's provincial reconstruction team in Afghanistan's Kandahar province is using a strategy that gives local Afghans input in the rebuilding process.

But the program faces a mounting list of difficulties.

In one case, the soldiers bring Afghan doctors from the city to the remote region of Al Bach in Kandahar province to deliver medical care.
 
But minutes in, angry elders from a nearby village arrive demanding to know why they've been left out. "Where's our treatment, where's our gifts?" one man shouted.

The Canadian troops are now caught up in a tribal dispute with only one group getting most of the aid.

"I'm not about to get into village squabbles, I'm telling you right now," said Sgt. Nichola Bascon. "It's extremely frustrating."

Corruption is another frustration for the PRT, which is responsible for more than $100 million donated annually by Canada for the rebuilding process.

In February, Canada's military celebrated the groundbreaking for a new police station. But, nine months later, little has been built. The local engineer was fired for mismanagement.

"It's these kinds of missteps that have led many international aid groups to suggest Canada's military has no business being involved in reconstruction," said CTV's Steve Chao, reporting from Afghanistan. "But the reality is that in this dangerous region there are few alternatives."

The head of Kandahar's department for women understands the danger - the Taliban assassinated her predecessor.

"We haven't seen much from Canada's military," says Rona Trena. "But there are so few aid groups left here, so we hope Canadian soldiers can help."

The military insists that its approach of designating responsibility to local villages, letting them determine how to rebuild, is working.
 
"It's a start and it's a very, very slow progress," said Bascon. "But I'm sure if we stick with it, it will be very rewarding in the long run."

In their 10 years of occupation, the Soviets tried similar methods investing billions on major projects. They were, however, ultimately defeated.

The difference this time is that most Afghans say they want outside help.

However, NATO's leadership in Afghanistan has said they have only so much time to make improvements in the lives of those Afghans, or else those people might turn to the Taliban.

With a report from CTV's Steve Chao