Farah ice cream selling boy reams to go to school

FARAH CITY (Pajhwok): A 14-year-old boy named Omaid, who earns bread for his family of eight, says he left school when he was in fourth grade and started selling ice cream to support his family.

In an interview with Pajhwok Afghan News, Omaid said, "My father is unemployed, we have no one else to support our family of eight members, so I had to leave the school and start work.”

He said he sells ice cream in Farah city, the provincial capital, during summer and earns between 150 to 200 afghanis a day.

Omaid is originally from Pashtood district of the province and currently lives in Farah city.

He said he goes to his district for work in winter and come back to the city in the summer to sell ice cream.

Omaid, along with a number of other children, carry ice cream on their push carts around 6am, the time when their peers go to school.

He said that he was happy to serve for his family and providing them with food.

However,he said, "I love school very much, but I am deprived of it due to my obligation.” He said he still hoped to go to school and would do so if given the chance.

Omaid said that he sells more ice cream in areas where there are wedding parties or other ceremonies.

In addition to working, he also thinks about his country.

"Peace and stability we have right now is a good opportunity and I can work in any district of Farah wherever I want,” he said.

Mohammad, who is coeval and friend of Omaid, does not sell ice cream but goes to school every day.

“Omaid was good both in school and work and earning money,” he said, adding that he would have been happy if his friend was with him in school.

However, Omaid is still optimistic about his future and said that if he found the chance, he would study.

He called on his peers to never miss the opportunity of study and besides education, they should also serve their families.

mds/ma