“My name is Abdul-Rasheed. I am 11 years old.”
Abdul-Rasheed is the youngest of five siblings. He never attended school.
“I was forced in child labor because my mother was mentally ill, and our father didn't love us enough to care about our wellbeing. He never supported us. So my siblings and I scattered all over the neighbourhood doing any kind of work to survive. In the mornings I fetched water for people and get small amounts of money in return. In the afternoon I would go to a fitting shop to help cleaning in exchange for scraps to go sell and support the family.”
I feel so bad anytime I compare my situation with other kids in my neighbourhood.
Their parents provided them everything they needed as kids but my siblings and I
lack parental support. I am not allowed to play with other kids, if I do, I get beaten. I have to work instead.”
Abdul-Rasheed explains the support he is lacking and in desperate need of. He wants to go to school and play with the other kids, but can’t.
“I want somebody to help me go to school and also help my mother by taking her to the hospital so she can get better and take care of me and my siblings. I want to be like the other kids.”
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