“I have seven siblings; my father earns his living as a driver while mother watches the children at home. We moved here from Sargodha in the search for better oppurtunities.

I used to wash cars, but for the last month, I’ve been working as an apprentice at the local tyre shop. Sometimes, the supervisor asks me to bring him tea from the stall nearby.

I wanted to learn a skill; washing cars is no skill. I could not continue school but if I can learn a skill, I can make a good living and become somebody.

I want to make use of every minute of my day; I don’t like to waste time. We are given one life so we must make good use of it. It doesn’t matter if one is rich or poor, everyone should try their best.

I have one wish, that I get to visit Lahore once. I have heard so much about that city that I want to go see the Minar-i-Pakistan and the Badshahi Mosque.”

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play