Ajab Khan, 13 years old: “Playing football is my passion and one day I will be part of the Afghanistan’s national football team. I am sure one day my dream will come true. I play football at school with my friends.

When I was seven years old, I used to collect garbage on the streets of Karachi. Along with my three elder brothers, I woke up early in the morning and worked throughout the day. I used to earn Rs. 200 (USD2) but it was a painful job. My legs would itch and hurt because of walking non-stop but we had to work because we were poor. After spending three years in Karachi, I left my brothers and returned to Saranan refugee village and enrolled in school. I wanted to get education and want to become an engineer. Now I am happy to be in the school. I have made many friends at school.”

Ajab Khan kicks the ball during a match at his school. Playing football is his passion. Quetta, Pakistan © UNHCR/Q.K.Afridi/2015

Ajab Khan, in the middle, tries to score a goal during a match at his school. The football ground and poles at his school are small but his dreams are big. Quetta, Pakistan © UNHCR/Q.K.Afridi/2015

Before getting enrolled in school, Ajab Khan spent three years in Karachi and used to collect garbage on the streets. Now he wants to get education and become an engineer. Quetta, Pakistan © UNHCR/Q.K.Afridi/2015

Khan is a huge football fan and his aspiration to become an international footballer is strong. The football ground and poles at his school are very small but his dreams are big. “I am practicing football in this small compound but one day I will prove to be an international footballer,” he said and added: “I wish we could have football kits, uniforms, a big football ground and poles.”

by Qaiser Khan Afridi, Quetta, Pakistan

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