Read about Waheed's Hopes and Dreams:

Waheed is only nine years old but has already lived through the type of suffering that very few people will experience in their lifetime. Waheed told us about the terrible time that followed him witnessing his father's death.

"I am still filled with much sorrow about my father's death and cannot understand why these things happen, he was such a good father. I cannot understand how people can kill each other.  I was scared, I had no idea how me and my brother Nadir would cope and who would look after us."

When Waheed's father died his uncle did what he could to help, but with his own family to support he found it very difficult.  There was no choice but for Waheed to work to help support his family and he started to sell cigarettes on the streets of his home town as well as helping a mechanic who knew his father. After a year struggling, Waheed's uncle took him and his brother to Kabul where he thought there was a greater chance that they would be able to get an education. 

His uncle was unable to get work in Kabul and decided to leave the brothers in an orphanage and return home. Waheed and Nadir find it very difficult in the orphanage, especially at the weekends when many families come to take their children home. They often cry, wishing for a family.

However, they are able to attend the Karte Char centre, as it is close to the orphanage.  Almost immediately this made such a difference to Waheed, he said:

"Karte Char is the only place which is good in our lives. The centre is full of love, I am learning so many new things and have been able to make friends with children my own age.  Before I came here I was sad all the time. Now I can sometimes forget about the past and think about the future."

Waheed has been able to share his problems with the teachers and they are very pleased with his progress.  He is a bright boy and eager to learn and for someone so young seems to understand the importance of his schooling.  There are other benefits too:

"Recently I had a fever, I told the teacher and she took me to visit the clinic and obtain medicines which cured it so quickly.  I am also stronger than I was because I get a meal at lunchtime."

We asked Waheed what his hopes were for the future.  He said:

"I am very keen to finish my education and serve my people, a dream of mine is to be able to help other poor people."