Rustam is 9 years old and his younger brother, Omer, is 7. They both lived with their parents until August 2021. However, after the enforcement of the Taliban regime, their father became a drug addict and left his family to never come back again. To this day, they are unaware of his location. They do not even know whether he is still alive or not.
Rustam’s mother is illiterate and cannot pursue any job but housekeeping. At the moment, she lives with her brother who is taking care of the family as best as he can. He works as a driver, and the little money he earns is barely enough to provide for his family and Rustam’s. In order to reduce the family expenses, Rustam was sent to Kapisa’s orphanage.
“My father’s drug addiction brings me so much unhappiness. I had hoped that my father would take care of our family like other fathers do. I had hoped that we could study, fulfil our dreams and have a bright future ahead, but he destroyed everything. The day my mother brought me to the orphanage, she cried and tried to cover her face with the veil to hide her pain from me.
My mother is the kindest person I know: when we did not have enough food at home, she fed me and my brother while she went to bed on an empty stomach.
My mother used to cry every night thinking about our future. When I first entered the orphanage, she told me that she hoped that my stay in Kapisa would give me the chance to study and find a good job. That would make her proud and give me a better life. That day will remain stuck in my head forever.”
Rustam is now doing well in Kapisa. He is working hard at school in order to be able to support his family one day. His dream is to give his mother a good life, as soon as he grows up. A life away from preoccupation and poverty.