In Kunar, paralysed siblings set up small soap factory

ASADABAD (Pajhwok): Four physically-challenged siblings, a brother and three sisters, have established a small soap factory in their house in the Sarkano district of eastern Kunar province.

Parween, suffering from paraplegia, said: “We are five siblings and my youngest brother alone is physically sound. My three sisters and one brother are paralysed.”

The 36-year-old woman said they had consulted many doctors on treatment for their problems. However, doctors said they could not be treated.

“I’m annoyed seeing myself and my siblings disabled. But it is pleasure that we are not needy and eke out a living for ourselves,” she remarked.

Her brother Mohammad Omer, 30, has a similar disability. He said a charitable organisation taught him soap-making skills. Now he has set up a small soap factory in their house.

Omer, who brings raw materials from neighbouring Nangarhar province, said: .“I’m married and have five children. Thank God, they are all fine and we make a living by producing soaps.”

Although the factory’s production level is low, he sells soap to consumers in the village. “This profession is good for us, otherwise we would have been needy, looking to people’s assistance.”

Sulaiman, the father of the siblings, told Pajhwok the condition of his children had bettered his life. However, he is worried about their future.

“The hope of every parent is to have healthy children and comfortable life. But unfortunately, my four children are disabled,” he commented.

He has shown his children to a number of doctors for treatment. However, doctors told him their conditions were incurable.

Sulaiman said he had been jobless and his children earned a living for the family. He sought government support for his children with disabilities.

sa/mud