Families survive on garbage collection

I have often seen small kids collecting garbage on several roads and streets of the city. No one has ever observed how innocent and good-looking he or she is, just as attractive as the kids who dress well, munch delectable food, and reside in comfortable houses.

“Our family has seen much hardship since my father died. My father was the only bread earner in our family. My father along with his parents, one sister, and two brothers aged 10-11-13 migrated to Rawalpindi from Mureedkay and started living together. For the last three years my two uncles and I have been collecting garbage to support the family,” says Naseeb Ali.

“I’m an orphan. I live in Dhoke Hafiz along with my mother and younger sisters and brothers in a one-room house. My father died last year, which made life too difficult for us. Our family depended on the income of my father. He also used to pick up garbage. After his death I was forced to do this job,” says Murad Hussain.

“Cold and hot days can’t prevent me from doing my job as my family survives on it. Every day I grab a bag and start to collect garbage,” says Qamar Abbas, an 11-year-old boy in Gulzar-e-Quaid.

“I am one of the many girls in Railway Scheme Loi Bher who picks up garbage. On summer days, the spots that the hot rays of the sun mark on my face cover the innocence and beauty of my face. In cold weather, my skin is chapped, leaving dry spots on my face, hands, and feet,” says Qalandar Ali.

“I am a garbage collector girl at Sixth Road, whose father died in an accident. I pick up garbage near schools and colleges. I love seeing students dressed in uniforms going to schools and colleges. I like to hang out there as it is a source of inspiration to me and makes me dream of going to school myself one day. Had my father been alive, he certainly would have sent me to school,” says Sugra.

“I spend my days picking up and segregating the garbage to help my parents feed the younger children in the family as they depend on the little cash I earn from working on the city streets,” says Najeeb Hasan. “My two elder brothers are seen daily on the streets of Airport Housing Society. They pick up garbage and bring it home. My younger brothers, Naveed Ali, 12, and Ikram Hussain, 9, separate the garbage,” says Dur-e-Najaf.

Muthara Shabbir says, “I being a widow have no other choice but to let my children go on the streets to pick up and sort out garbage and earn some money to survive. These children are also the only source of income for family survival.”