Humanitarian

Fatima, a 12-year-old girl, lost her mother at age three and now cares for her injured father and three siblings while living in poverty. Her father, unable to work due to war injuries, depends on her to provide for the family. With winter approaching, Fatima struggles to get essentials like firewood, food, and medical care. She works from early morning until late at night to make sure her family has enough to eat. This campaign seeks donations to help her family survive the winter by providing warmth, food, and support.



Read Fatima's Story in Her Own Words:

Fatima, with the innocence of childhood lost too soon, shared her story with tears in her eyes. Her words echoed the depth of her struggles:

"I used to dream of going to school, playing with other children, and having a normal life with my parents. But fate had other plans for me. My mother passed away when I was three, and my father, due to war injuries, couldn’t care for us. My older sister, who was like a mother to us, sacrificed her own life and married a much older man just to bring some money home so we could survive. She gave up her youth to ensure we could have food and a place to sleep. After her, I had to take on her responsibilities. Now, I work from dawn until dusk to keep my family alive.

"As I grew older, I realized life wasn’t going to be easy. Survival became my only goal. I’ve forgotten that I’m a child. I’ve forgotten what it feels like to be happy, to play, to dream. I’m no longer seen as a child, or even as a human being. On the streets, I’m harassed just because I’m a girl."

Her voice trembled as she continued to recount her daily struggles:

"Every morning, I wake up at 4 a.m. I leave our house and walk to the city. It’s still dark when I start, and I’m always scared of the dogs. Sometimes, I find someone to walk with, but often, even those who offer help have bad intentions. For nearly a year now, I’ve been painting shoes. I earn 5 Afghani for each pair I paint, and if I’m lucky, someone might give me 10 Afghani. But many days, people refuse to pay me and instead shout at me or even hit me, saying I should leave. I keep walking until 6 p.m., searching for work. At night, when I return home, it’s already dark. My little brothers, sister, and father wait for me to bring home dry bread, which is all we have to eat.

"When we have bread with tea and sugar, it feels like a celebration. Most nights, we eat bread with water, and I cry myself to sleep, praying that tomorrow will be better."

I asked Fatima about her dreams, and through her tears, she responded with words that broke my heart:

"Dreams? How can I dream when my family doesn’t even have food? I have never gone to bed with a full stomach. My wish is simple: to live like others, to eat food, and to sleep without hunger gnawing at me."

When I asked what she hoped for in the future, Fatima paused before answering:

"If God cared for me, He would have answered my prayer years ago."

I gently asked what prayer she had made that went unanswered, and her reply brought tears to my eyes:

"I prayed that my father wouldn’t cry anymore because he felt helpless. But instead, my father went blind."

Fatima’s story is a powerful reminder of the many children who are forced to grow up too soon, sacrificing their childhood to keep their families alive. Her courage and resilience in the face of such immense hardship inspire us all to take action.

Let us come together to help Fatima and her family this winter. Your contribution, whether big or small, can change their lives and provide the warmth, food, and hope they desperately need.

Thank you for your kindness and support.

Let's Save Fatima's Family's Life!

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