My mother would sew clothes for the livelihood of our eight siblings. But we didn’t have any hope of life in those circumstances. Compelled by poverty, one day my mother decided to send me and my younger brother Shoaib to an orphanage (Al Islah Centre Mardan).

We were really annoyed when we were leaving our mother and sisters. But we didn’t know that this institution will prove to be a paradise like gift on earth from Allah (S.W.T).

I got parents like love at Al Islah Centre. We started our early education in this institute.

Now I read in class 7th and my younger brother Shoaib reads in class 5th. We are memorizing the Holy Quran by heart. While in the field of sports, we both brothers, are very good volleyball players. We want to do something special when we grow up. I want to become a doctor while Shoaib wants to be an army officer and protect the borders of the country. We remember our childhood very well, so we have determined that no child should be deprived of education, and we shall spend all our lives for achieving this goal.”

Nature gifts all humans. With some people she is very bounteous. With little Uzair she more than a kind mother. Uzair, a young prodigy from Swat has all the natural gifts and talents that are enviable for all people of his age. His father was a police officer that pampered his son from and fulfilled all his childish wishes. No one in the neighbourhood could match Uzair in dress, toys and sports kit. Coming of school age, Uzair’ s father admitted him in a standard private school. On religious festivals Uzair would get, not one but many suits that would make youngsters of his jealous.

And all those dreams had gone sour. Eids now returned only to refresh our wounds. Our relatives had left and forgotten us forever, with my father’s demise. From a well furnished room in a standard school I transferred to the cold bare floor of a local school. Instead of three time meal a day, we would have a single meal now and that too only bare bread with a glass of water. What ached my mother’s heart was watching her son’s talents being ruthlessly ruined. Every night she would hold me tight to her bosom and would cry, leaving hot tears on my head. Somebody advised my grandfather to get me to an orphanage in Mardan called Al Islah Centre.

And it turned out to be a revolution in my little world. My mother suppressed her sentiments and I was saw off to Al Islah. That was a painful moment beyond description. I arrived in the world of Al Islah. And I came by a new life. I felt as if my father had returned to make me meet my destiny. In a week I almost forgot that I was a miserable orphan. The staff here supplanted both my parents. With a new and stronger zest and verve I restarted my education. I get the same clothes and food and playing goods that my father would give me. I feel a prince.

I feel my old paradise has been restored to me! Now I have completed memorising the Holy Quran, have learnt its translation and reading in Class 8th. Alongside study of dozens of books, Al Islah enabled me to participate in various workshops, trainings and events. I have totally unlearnt the painful period following my father’s death. I have set myself a life goal: to be a medical doctor of distinction. I have trust in myself and in my struggle. I remember my mother’s tears and a day will certainly come when I will see her smiling, happy and satisfied.