Ahmed - Works on the Streets

Ahmed is 13 years old. He has been working on the streets of Iraq since 2003. For many years he had just one wish…

“Every day I woke up early meaning each day would begin and end in the dark. It was always a rush to find a cart at the market so I could carry stuff for people and earn some money to help feed myself and my family. If I didn’t get there in time then all the carts would be gone and I would go hungry for the day.

There are so many children working in the market that almost every day we saw a fight break out over who should have a cart. When I left my house every morning I had just one wish – that it could always be summer. In winter it gets so cold my body starts to shake. I can’t buy warm clothes for myself because all the money I make is for my family.

I always had the same questions running through my mind. What will happen if I don’t make any money today? How can I feed my brothers and sisters if I can’t find a cart to work with? And if I find one, will anyone hire me?

One particular day I went to work as usual. I noticed a group of children gathered round two people. I found out that they were from a drop in centre for street children and were there to help. Apparently they offered training at the drop in centre for people like me. I have always wanted to learn how to be a tailor and when I found out I would be able to do this at the centre I decided to join.”

Ahmed spent over two months learning to be a tailor at the drop in centre established by War Child. He still needed to look after brothers and sisters and has no choice but to continue working. However, keen to get him off the street, support staff at the centre helped Ahmed get a job in the dress maker shop.

Today, Ahmed has a real chance to return to school whilst still providing for himself and his family. With tears in his eyes, Ahmed tells us “that day when I went to the market to work, I thought it would be another ordinary day in my life. I will never ever forget that day in my life.”