Through a referral, Shabir reached Hagar’s Forgotten No More child protection centre.
There, he received support grounded in Trauma-Informed Care, including child protection, accommodation, legal advice, psychosocial counselling, medication, education, family tracing and mediation with his family and community.
Hagar worked towards safely reintegrating Shabir into his family and community, while continuing to provide support based on his needs.
For four years, Shabir worked long hours in a market. Today, the 14-year-old is back in school and living safely with his family.
Shabir is a 14-year-old boy originally from Parwan province, now living in Kabul.
For four years, he worked long hours in the market, often late into the night. At times, he slept beneath the carts of street vendors.
The relentless work, his parents’ neglect and the fear of spending nights alone outdoors left Shabir deeply traumatised, anxious and demotivated. Home was difficult too. His father responded to Shabir’s struggles with violence and indifference.
Eventually, Shabir ran away from home.
For Shabir, support included:
A safe and supportive environment through Hagar’s child protection services.
Ongoing counselling to support his emotional wellbeing.
Support to return to school and continue learning.
Medical support and medication when needed.
Working with Shabir’s family and community to support safe reintegration.
A school bag, stationery and a school uniform.
Hygiene kits, recreational activities and a winter support package for his family.
Hygiene kits, recreational activities and a winter support package for his family.
After Hagar’s Forgotten No More boys’ shelter closed and the Community-Based Child Protection project began, Shabir continued to receive support.
Hagar enrolled him in a local school within his community and provided a school bag, stationery and a school uniform. He also continued receiving medical support, hygiene kits, recreational activities and psychosocial counselling.
After years spent working in the market, Shabir was back in the classroom.
The change did not stop with Shabir.
Hagar’s outreach activities focused on child rights and protection, and Shabir’s father underwent a significant change.
He learned to treat his children with kindness and respect and became an active supporter of Shabir’s education, helping create a more nurturing environment where his son could develop academically and emotionally.
Today, Shabir is attending school and living with dignity and safety alongside his family.
The report describes him as having grown from a traumatised child into one of the most supportive and active boys in his family and community.
