"Ekraam is a 13 year old boy who has the responsibility of his family, so at this very young age he has to work and study. Ekraam lives with his mother and sister. Unfortunately, his father is addicted to drugs and left them few years back. When I asked Ekraam where is your father I could see his face turn red. He asked me whether it would be possible if we didn't talk about him because we just want to forget him.
Ekraam’s mother is not educated so to earn enough money she is a very basic tailor. At home she sews very simple clothes for her neighbors to pay for the rent of her house. Every season Ekraam sells different things. On the street in summer he sells plastic bags, and in winter his mother cooks beans (a type of afghan food) which Ekraam sells in front of his house. He makes very little money for his and his sister’s school supplies
Ekraam is in 6th grade and has difficulties with many subjects because he is busy and cannot study properly. I asked him what he wants to become in the future, but he hopelessly replied 'I am not uncertain about my future. I don’t even know whether I will finish school because it is so hard for me to work and study.'"
