Afghan refugee children's thoughts on life and education

Further to the news that due to increased violence in Pakistan, the Marnie Smith Middle School closed for a few days, we are very pleased to report that the schools are open once again. Rahema Sherzhad, the headmistress of the Marnie Smith Middle School and Jamilla Abassy, the headmistress of the Bakhtar Middle School have reassured Trust Sulha that everything is fine and that they are safe and well supported by the communities around them.

It was always the intention of the Trust Sulha founder, Marnie Summerfield Smith, that this new blog could become a place where the Afghan refugee students could speak to the world. So we are delighted that Silsila Abassy, (Jamilla's daughter), has been to Bakhtar Middle School to interview two students whose stories appear below. Thanks Silsila for all your hard work - much appreciated.

"My Name is Neak Mohammad and I am a student at the Bakhter Middle School.

Three years ago my father died of cancer. He had been ill for one year.

I have three sisters. One is very young, the other comes to school with me and my older sister works with my Mum preparing food and cleaning in people's houses.

Through this work my Mum and sister try to make things better for us. But of course the money isn't always enough so we have to adjust and make the best of things.

Sometimes when my Mum is ill, she cannot go to work. This means my sister cannot go either. On those days we are hungry and we go to sleep hungry.

All of us, especially my youngest sister wait patiently for my Mum to be well again, so that she can go to work and we can get something to eat. Sometimes our hopes come true and she does get well soon.

But sometimes our hopes do not come true and our Mum is ill for a long time.

I hope to complete my studies at the Bakhtar Middle School. But sometimes, when I see the condition of our house, my hungry sisters and my poorly Mum, I feel compelled to go out to work instead.

But what could I do? I am not strong enough to work very hard.

Our house is very, very far from our school but I have to travel this journey because the schools that are near my house all charge fees, which my family could not afford to pay.

At Bakhtar Middle School our fees are paid for by Trust Sulha. They also pay for the stationery that my sister and I need and also warm uniforms for us to wear.

We are so happy and thankful to Trust Sulha and everyone who helps them. We look forward to more help so that we can continue to study like other children do.

Thanks a lot Trust Sulha."

"My name is Sami Ullah. I am ten years old.

I am a student at the Bakhtar Middle School.

My Mum and Dad died in an accident on a very dark night. I was left alone with my four-year-old brother and my sisters who are 14 and 16.

It was too terrible to tolerate the dead bodies of our Mum and Dad because we knew that they were our guards, our life, our hopes, our parents, our relatives, our world and our everything.

Now we feel as if we have no arms or legs and we feel so alone.

We have lost our world, our hopes and all our happiness.

Since the accident I have not seen a smile on the faces of my brothers or sisters.

We just celebrated Eid here and although everyone was celebrating with their families, we had no-one. After 15 days, it was the biggest celebration of Eid and we didn't know what to do.

Every Eid my Dad would bring us new clothes and shoes. Now my little brother asks me where my Dad is and I have to tell him that Dad has died. Then he asks me where Mum is and I have to tell him that same answer.

Eid brings happiness for everyone but sadness for us.

When I think about losing my Mum and Dad, I feel that I want to leave my studies. Sometimes I even think that I want to leave this world.

But then I think about my sisters and my little brother and I am so confused about what we should all do.

I see other people with their Mums and Dads and I feel so alone.

One year ago I had a Mum and Dad but I lost them.

I don't know what I want to do but I know that I want to study. When I go to school I am a little bit happy, but when I go home and see the sad faces of my brother and sisters, I am unhappy again.

I want to study so much. In the future I would like to be a great personality and open a free school for orphans and help them as much as Trust Sulha helps us.

I want to be helpful to orphans.

Thank you Trust Sulha and Marnie and everyone who helps Trust Sulha."