Ahmad is thirteen years old and lives in a family of ten. His father was unable to work due to health issues and a lack of job opportunities, and as the eldest child Ahmad felt the weight of his family’s poverty. He left school and began working on the streets, burning wild rue or harmala, polishing shoes, and collecting scrap metal. Leaving school was incredibly difficult for him, and he worried constantly about his safety and his future.
On the streets, Ahmad feared being abused, becoming addicted, and living a life without hope. Those fears began to consume him and led to feelings of anger, worthlessness, and despair, alongside nightmares and thoughts of getting involved in illegal activities or associating with unsupervised children. On some days, he found himself in dangerous situations with older boys who offered him money for sexual favors. He feared disgrace, rejection by his family, and encounters with the police, and described life as feeling like a living hell.
Ahmad was arrested multiple times by a committee aiming to rescue working children from the streets. Each time he returned home, his family’s financial struggles forced him back to work again. His sadness affected his parents too, and his mother often complained of physical pain and stress stemming from worry about his situation.
Change began when Hagar reached out to Ahmad’s family through the Community Based Child Protection (CBCP) project. A Hagar team visited the family home and met with Ahmad’s father to discuss educational and vocational training opportunities. Although his father was initially hesitant due to financial pressure, he saw Ahmad’s eagerness to join, and the family enrolled in the program.
Alongside formal education, Ahmad was placed as an apprentice at a local tailoring shop aligned with his interests. The CBCP project supported Ahmad with:
Transportation fare so he could attend consistently
Coverage of training related costs
Stationery and learning materials
Ongoing psychosocial support through regular counselling sessions
Ahmad’s parents also received weekly counselling sessions, which improved emotional well being, reduced stress, and strengthened family bonds.
During Eid, Hagar provided Ahmad with new clothes, shoes, and toys. Support continued until the end of 2025, and Hagar ensured Ahmad’s tailoring master would continue looking after him after assistance ended. At the end of the year, Ahmad received a tailoring supplementary kit to help him continue his work.
Ahmad is now working as a tailoring apprentice, and Hagar still checks in from time to time. He feels satisfied and hopeful about his future, and his parents are grateful for the support they received.
