Pseudonym: Abdullah, 16 years old
Abdullah is a resilient young boy from Afghanistan, part of a close-knit family of six, including his three sisters and parents. His father is disabled, leaving the family struggling under the weight of financial hardship.
Driven by the dream of a better life, Abdullah was taken by a smuggler who promised him opportunities in Iran. Instead, that journey turned into a nightmare. The smuggler exploited and then abandoned him, leaving Abdullah lost, frightened, and alone in a foreign land.
Desperate to find safety, Abdullah’s situation worsened when he was arrested and deported back to Afghanistan. What began as a search for hope had become a cycle of trauma and despair.
When Abdullah returned home, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MoLSA) referred him to Hagar’s Child Protection Shelter.
There, Abdullah finally found safety — and the care he needed to begin rebuilding his life. Through Hagar, he received:
Secure accommodation
Psychosocial counseling
Education and vocational training
Medical and legal assistance
Recreational activities designed to restore confidence and joy
Every aspect of support was tailored to his unique needs, helping him to heal and regain his sense of self-worth.
Abdullah had made great progress. After ensuring his safety and readiness, the Hagar team successfully reintegrated him with his family.
Through a Reintegration Care Plan (RCP), Hagar continued to follow up with him regularly — monitoring his health, education, and overall wellbeing. Whenever challenges arose, the team stepped in to ensure he had the support he needed.
When the Forgotten No More (FNM) Project neared its closeout in early 2025, Abdullah worried about what the future would hold. But Hagar’s team was already preparing the next step — ensuring no child was left behind.
With the launch of the Community-Based Child Project (CBCP), Abdullah’s fears began to fade. Under this program, he enrolled in:
A mobile fixing vocational training centre
A governmental agricultural technical institute
These opportunities gave him the chance to learn valuable technical and agricultural skills, empowering him to pursue a sustainable future.
To remove any barriers, CBCP covered his training fees, transport costs, and essential materials such as clothing, stationery, and medical support. This comprehensive assistance not only equipped Abdullah with practical skills but also reignited his confidence and ambition.
“I am incredibly thankful to Hagar for all the support they provided. They changed my life and helped my dreams come true. I feel hopeful for my future and want to become a mobile fixing and agricultural engineer to support my family and help children like me.”
Abdullah’s journey is a powerful example of what holistic, survivor-centred care can achieve.
With the right support, survivors like Abdullah can rebuild their lives, support their families, and inspire others to do the same.
Abdullah’s story is not just one of survival — it’s a story of strength, dignity, and a future reclaimed.
