Want no war anymore: 13-year-old Mirwais

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): A 13-year-old boy, Mirwais, whose economic problems have forced him to polish peoples’ shoes in western Herat province, hopes he would continue his studies in peace so that he can work for development of his country.

At the small age, Mirwais is the sole breadwinner of his eight-member family. His father is ill and unable to work and his older brother has recently gone to Iran for work.

Mirwais polishes people’s shoes every day with his thin hands using gloves. Wearing dirty clothes, his hands and face are cracked due to the cold weather, but his heart is full of motivation and hopeful for the future.

He is happy that there is no war now, and says in the past, while polishing people’s shoes on the roads, he did not have peace of mind because he was worried that he might be killed or wounded in an explosion or armed attack.

Earlier, the city witnessed clashes and explosions in which, in addition to the warring sides, civilians were also killed and wounded, but since the change in the regime, no such incident has taken place in the city.

When asked about peace, Mirwais said, “Peace means security, work and no poverty.”

He hopes that war and insecurity in Afghanistan vanish forever.

Mirwais, who lives with his family in a mud house in Herat’s Chaharbagh district, says he earns 30 to 60 afghanis a day. He hopes to continue his schooling in a place free of violence and war.

“I go to school because literacy is very good … I study so I can have a good future and work for progress and peace in the country,” the grade fifth student said.

“Peace and security are very important in life. I am glad that there is no war, there is peace everywhere and there is a lot of work so that people do not have problems.”

“There used to be a lot of thieves … but now the situation has improved,” Mirwais said.

But he complains about rising commodities prices and shoes color, saying: “Items have become more expensive and it is very difficult to buy food for his family.”

“I ask the government to help us to be able to study and increase employment so that people like my brother do not go to Iran for work,” he added.

sa/ma