Mirwais was born in 2004 in the Injil district of Herat province. Unfortunately, his father passed away when he was at age of 9 years old and his grandfather took responsibility for financially supporting Mr. Mirwais’s family. His grandfather left further support of Mirwais’s family due to financial problems he suffered. Mr. Mirwais was convinced to continue living along with his family independently. At the initial stage, he had to rent a residential house while he did not have the financial ability for purchasing a household item. In the beginning, the continuation of their life was very difficult for them to continue life since they have not been supported financially and they were facing financial problems every day.
He used to hard work in a mechanics’ shop and earned 300 AFN per week till he got familiar with the work. He used to cover their family’s daily expenses through the 300 AFN he gained weekly which shows that nine years old took the responsibility for all his family’s life. In addition, his mother has tried to keep and make her sons and daughters satisfy and not feel lonely.
Unfortunately, financial and family problems were the main causes that he suffered and prevented him to not continue his education. I always looked at the children, whom all had been supported by their fathers and were able to go to school where he was deprived of their father’s love. “Said Mr. Mairwais”.
In fact, this regular scenario disappointed me all the time. I dreamed of standing on my own feet and being a servant to my family since I was a child,
Working in a mechanic’s shop was very hard for him, and the salary was low, so he had to look and search for another new job which, unfortunately, he couldn’t find so he decided to buy an ice cream machine. During the summer season, the weather was also very hot, and he was selling ice cream in Herat city. Sometimes he was satisfied with the little income he has got, but again it has shown that he hardly earned money in difficult situations.
Once he was at Pol Hashmi Street; a man came to him and asked him: “What are you doing, my dear? He told him: “I am selling ice cream. The man asked him again: would you like to join a training program so you may have a more comfortable life instead selling of ice cream on the road?
Mr. Mirwais’s response was “Yes” he is interested to have a better job to receive sufficient income like other children in society and this is his inalienable right to have a more comfortable life like other children. He added that he is not able to support his family through the income he has received from selling Ice Cream and suffering and dealing with many problems on daily basis. Finally, Mr. Mirwais received a card containing an address and he also was informed to visit the location addresses on the card along with his mother.
The relevant office referred Mr. Mirwais to the Ansari Vocational Training Centre after he along with his mother reached the address already given to him. He was selected for the vocational training program by the committee through an official process of beneficiary selection. Currently, he is proud for being a trainee in the LCD/LED repairing class at Ansari Vocational Training Centre.
He has seen many changes in his behaviour, personality, life, and knowledge since the OSAA organization with the financial support of UNCIEF and HELP has supported him to join Vocational Training Centre. He is able to support his family financially because he receives 8000 AFN from WFP per month and also some amount a transportation allowance. Part of his financial and economic challenges seems to be solved it. He said that he was learning more things from this center. In addition, he also learned how to set up small businesses according to the vocational types and professional training. Mirwais is Managing a small group of his classmates who created a group with the help of each other. At first, they created Facebook and telegram pages called (LCD Repairers) where they are coordinating and received internal orders from their customers. So far, they have received five orders for repairing LCDs and all five have been repaired, meanwhile receiving wages that show the result of their efforts. This innovation has made him very happy and hopeful for his future. He said that he will be happy if he can open a shop to start working after he graduates from this canter and earns an income that can support his family.
He has a great ambition to continue his studies and become a professional teacher in his field in the future. He said that he will definitely help the street vulnerable children and share all the education and experiences he has already learned If God gives him a chance and his financial situation improves. He said that he never wants to see the children of our communities on the streets in the future.
Finally, Mr. Mirwais stated, “I appreciate all of the staff of the OSAA organization for the implementation of the project, and UNICEF, WFP, and Help who have supported us to become useful and effective people for ourselves and our families in the future.”