Sadiq’s Journey: From day labourer to entrepreneur  

My name is Shabnam Mohammadi. I work with Islamic Relief Afghanistan as a communication officer. I’m a member of the communication team – a tag team that leans on each other to produce compelling stories like the one I’m about to tell. Bismillah!

Last week, I found myself back in the embrace of my childhood hometown, Bamyan. With its awe-inspiring natural beauty, this city never fails to stir my heart. Standing tall and proud, the snow-capped mountains provide a majestic backdrop to the fields of wheat and potatoes. Sheep graze peacefully, their presence adding to the serene charm of the place. And the people—oh, the people—are the warmest and most welcoming you’ll ever meet, their smiles are a reflection of the beauty surrounding them. It’s this warmth that makes Bamyan truly special.

The story I’m sharing today is a testament to the transformative power of Islamic Relief’s initiatives in my hometown. It’s the story of a young man, Sadiq, whose life was turned around. As I listened to him speak, his words resonated with the hope and change that our work strives to bring to the lives of those we support. His story is a beacon of hope, a testament to the transformative power of our initiatives.

In the heart of Bamiyan city, in a quaint little shop, various traditional pieces of Afghan men’s clothing are displayed on 2 walls. There, I met Sadiq, conversing with his apprentices, a gentle smile gracing his face.

Sadiq, 24, has faced numerous hurdles in his life. He toiled as a daily wage labourer on farms, his hands bearing the brunt of his hard work. His pay was meagre, barely enough to sustain himself, let alone his family. His education was cut short at 14 when he lost his father. The sudden loss threw his future into uncertainty, as he had to leave school to find work as everyone in the family had to find a way to survive.

His journey reminded me of a line from the poem by Warsan Shire, a Somali poet: “No one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark”.

Sadiq reluctantly left home to face the world alone. Trying hard to fight back his tears, he continued his story.

“Working in agricultural fields [all year round], was always a source of distress for me. Whether scorching hot or freezing cold, my clothes would inevitably become thick and dusty, and my hands would be covered in painful blisters. As a young boy, seeing others with clean clothes and going to school was particularly embarrassing while I struggled with the dirt and discomfort”.

Despite his struggles, Sadiq’s spirit remained unbroken

In April 2023, a ray of hope entered Sadiq’s life. He was accepted into a 6-month tailoring programme, run by Islamic Relief. He was equipped with an industrial sewing machine, solar panels, and assorted tailoring items once he finished the course. This provided Sadiq with a livelihood and empowered him to apply the skills he had honed during the training, marking a significant turning point in his life.

Sadiq began sewing clothes from home, primarily for his neighbours. With the small savings he made from his fledgling business, Sadiq took a big step—renting a stall in the local market. The monthly rent of the stall was 2,000 Afghanis (approx. £20)—equivalent to an entire month’s income for Sadiq. Despite this imbalance, Sadiq put on a brave face and hoped things would change for the better. Sadiq attracted more customers who liked his fashionable products and was soon making a threefold income.

“I had no knowledge or skills in this field before learning tailoring. However, after completing the training, I acquired various skills, such as designing and sewing clothes,” says Sadiq.

“At one point, I thought of quitting this business because the profit was only enough to pay the stall rent. I then remembered where I came from. I said to myself, don’t give up. I saw the light, and I started moving towards it”.

Leap of faith

“Suddenly, people came to embrace my business. I was also putting a lot of effort into being as fashionable as possible. I’ll look at online clothing adverts to see what other big tailoring shops in urban cities produce and emulate them. I was now making 8,000 Afghanis (approx. £87). I started to support my family with almost all their basic needs, such as food. Despite paying a monthly rent of 2000 Afghanis for my shop, I find this much more rewarding than working in people’s farms,” says Sadiq.

I asked Sadiq about his future plans. He aims to enhance his tailoring skills, expand his shop, and become a proficient regional tailor and designer. Sadiq was also contemplating moving to one of the 4 big cities in Afghanistan, as profits are higher there.

“I want to express my deep appreciation to Islamic Relief and the donor for their generous support towards the most vulnerable segment of society. I have never dreamt of getting to this level. It’s not my effort alone, but you too,” he says.

Sadiq’s story mirrors the struggles of many Afghans who are doing everything within their means to reach new heights. Unfortunately, some can’t find the ‘starter’ needed to ignite their dreams. Many of our livelihood projects provide such a starter to help people like Sadiq to achieve their full potential.

The project, titled ‘Replicating ALO Model for Socio-Economic Development or Orphaned Families (RASIED) after a successful project piloted in Bangladesh, aims to improve the quality of life and increase the income of the most disadvantaged families in Afghanistan through the provision of livelihood training, such as tailoring, the distribution of tailoring machines, and solar systems. Additionally, families were supported by receiving two pregnant goats, which multiplied tenfold, enabling them to generate income through the sale of goats and improve nutrition for their children by consuming fresh, nutritious milk.

Please help us to support even more people in Afghanistan towards building sustainable livelihoods. Donate now.