The Orphan Sponsorship Program (OSP) in Afghanistan started in 2004 in Kabul, Mazar, Nangarhar, and Bamyan provinces. The program helps destitute orphaned children gain access to elementary and secondary school.

Currently, 5,015 orphans from Afghanistan are enrolled in the program. This support aims to fulfil the educational, nutritional, health, and other basic needs of the orphaned children.

Hijran’s story of hope is one of many from vulnerable families in Afghanistan with children under the Orphan Sponsorship Program. One where sustainable support can provide stability and transform lives, enabling children like Hijran to continue their education, contribute to household income, and nurture hope for the future.

A Young Boy’s Hope

Hijran Sardar Agha, 9 year old, and his family lives in Qabel Bay in Kabul province. There are six members in his family: his widowed mother, his three brothers, his only sister Safa, and himself. His father passed away five years ago after being killed by thieves, and the loss has deeply affected their lives, both emotionally and financially.

No one in his family is able to work. His eldest brother is 14 years old and currently studying in grade six. The only way his mother can provide for them is through the assistance they receive from Islamic Relief. With part of that support, his mother was able to buy a tricycle and rent it out to others, the money from which helps cover some of the family’s daily expenses.

Daily Life as an Orphan Family in Afghanistan

Hijran’s daily routine is quite simple. He goes to school, studies mathematics, and focuses on his lessons. Most of his time is spent studying, completing his homework, and playing with his siblings. His mother takes care of the groceries with the money his sponsorship provides.

Hijran and all his siblings go to school. His dream is to become an engineer one day. It’s a dream he and his mother share, as he wants to support her when he grows up.

One of his family’s biggest fears is that his sister Safa, being a girl, will graduate from the 6th grade and may not be able to continue her education afterwards. They wish for her to keep going to school, just like him and his brothers, so she can have the same opportunities to learn and grow.

Sometimes, on long winter nights, when the family gathers together, his mother shares stories from the past. How life became incredibly difficult after their father passed away. After which, she had the immense responsibility of raising five young children entirely on her own.

During those times, she often struggled to provide for the family, even for their most basic necessities, food, clothing, and shelter, as the family had no stable source of income.

How Islamic Relief Helps Orphan Families Like Hijran’s

Hijran’s orphan sponsorship started 4 years ago. His mother says that Islamic Relief has changed their lives since then and brought her a deep sense of relief and hope. With the support they receive from the program, she is now able to better meet the family’s essential needs.

This includes improving well-being, such as painting the children’s rooms, transforming the dark spaces into bright, welcoming ones with shades of blue and white. His mother also used the cash support to buy three sheep, which have now grown to four, as one of them has had a lamb.

The Orphan Sponsorship Program has not only eased their hardships but has also given their family a renewed sense of hope and stability.

Hijran and his family are sincerely grateful to Islamic Relief and all the generous donors for their continuous support to orphaned families during these difficult times in Afghanistan. Your kindness and assistance have brought hope and comfort to many families like his.