What afflicted Samira the most was the extreme sadness through the eyes of those children who were mostly disturbed, traumatised and most of all, voiceless. With the precious help of social mobilisers, there were moments when such children would open up to the team, showing a glimpse of a smile that was always ephemeral, sadly. This was the most heart-breaking part of the journey: seeing those vulnerable children being robbed of their childhood, in the most despicable indifference from the adult world surrounding them.
Nothing will have prepared Samira to see and hear the unthinkable when it came to the daily lives of street children in Pakistan. Their lives are made of begging, drugs and being subject to abuse including sexual abuse. Unbearable for us to even think about yet such children go through this ordeal every single day of their young lives.
Commenting on her experiences, Samira explained, “The work of Muslim Charity is not only necessary, it is lifesaving. There is nothing worse than seeing children dying mentally, because they have given up hope in this ruthless world. Muslim Charity strives to save those children by providing them with education, protection and a follow-up of their well-being and health. Moreover, Muslim Charity has the merit to expose and talk about those terrible issues of sexual abuse inflicted to children and reach out to brothels in areas like Lahore to assist and support sex workers and their children. Prevention and protection will only start with the eradication of taboos in order to educate people and open their eyes on the reality of the street children’s plight”.
Lost Childhood: The Street Children of Pakistan is an authentic and poignant two-part documentary, which will be aired on Islam Channel on Wednesday 23rd September (10.00 pm) as well as on Thursday 24th September (10.00 pm). Not to be missed.
