Childhood Lost- Afghanistan!

So we asked a few children from our theatre class to talk about any one of their favourite activities- they may or may not be learning it- just to share their joy and hope- this is what they had to say!

I love to play basketball. I play it in my colony with my friends. Before Covid-19, I used to play three times a week and also trained with my coach, Mr Bisht. We often went to other schools for competitions. 

- Avika Asrani, New Delhi

I want to learn to cook because I want to help my mother, and also prepare food for the needy and the poor. I am a foodie myself and therefore when I will cook, I will make tasty food for myself. By cooking food for others, we are able to spread love and joy to others. 

- Ch. Riyansh, Vizag

                    

I want to learn dance to make myself flexible and fit. I want to be the best dancer in the world, and dance with the most famous dancers from Bollywood. If I accomplish my dream,
my parents will be very happy with my hard work. 

- Bhavya, Agra

I want to learn skating because it gives you a sense of freedom and flying. I have seen my cousin skating. I want to be a skating champion just like him and make my parents proud!

-Paarth Vohra, New Delhi

As we conducted this activity and got these interesting write-ups from our children, we were left thinking of what would be going on in the innocent minds of the children in Afghanistan. They do not wake up dreaming about the activities they would participate during the day, they do not sleep with the satisfaction of an accomplished day- there's death, there's hunger, there's poverty, there's disease.

According to the report published on https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/08/1097902, thousands of boys and girls have been killed over the past two years and about 5,770 were maimed. The incidents of sexual abuse too continue to be reported. Until last year, armed groups were responsible for 46% of destruction due to land mines and explosions, how much more would it be now when Taliban completely rules over Afghanistan while the world watches!

Taliban has always been identified as the perpetrator of violence against children, the impact of the same will not just affect the current generation but will hit the future generations as well. UN also verified some 270 attacks on various schools and hospitals, along with some 6,470 grave violations against children rights. Boys are increasingly being recruited into hostilities in combat roles. According to BBC news, a mother reported how while they were sleeping, her child was attacked by shrapnel and woke up with major burns. The fatalities and injuries borne by children during the take over by Taliban narrate horrifying stories of slaying of humanity. 

This article is a call to all responsible adults, to spread awareness and raise their voice, and continue to do so until the world unites in protection of these children. Because children in Afghanistan, have an equal right to live, to dream, to feel joy, to be hopeful, like all our children!

Photo Credits: Google, UN