Shabana and Blake
My name is Shabana. I study in class one and my father’s name is Mohammad Saleem. I am eight years old. I do not remember how my parents died. But I was only one year when they died. We used to live with our uncle who was a cruel man. He did not behave well with me and my brother whose name is Khaled who was not more than a baby. My uncle told me one day to leave my brother in the room and come upstairs to the roof. I went there and he pushed me from the roof immediately. I fell to the ground as a result I felt a real heavy and sharp pain at my backbone. Then one of our neighbors’ women came and told my uncle to give back my brother to me. After I got my brother, I went downtown with the woman and she left me and my brother there and she herself went away and never came back. When it was night I felt scared but a couple of policemen came and gave us some money from which I bought some cigarettes and chewing gum and sold them. And from the income I bought milk for my little baby brother and we slept at an empty container, which was so cold, but after many days when I ran out of money tears came through my eyes for my little baby brother who was crying from hunger. Then suddenly a woman came and asked why I am sad. I told her of my brother. She said that I would feed him if you give him to me for a while and I will return him soon. But after she took him, she never returned. I cried day and night for my brother till a policeman came and brought me to Allahoddin Orphanage. I am happy here because I go to school but because I am small, therefore, I can’t read much. I miss my little brother but I don’t remember his image. I want to be a teacher in the future to help people. But till now I have a sharp pain at my backbone.
Dear Shabana,
My name is Blake. I’m a girl and I am 12. I have a brother and a sister. They are 18 and 16. So of course I am the youngest. I live with my mom but I sometimes stay at my dad’s house. I go to middle school and I play soccer, basketball, volleyball and swim.
When I read your letter it made me sad that your have to live like that. I have never been purposely hurt which makes it even worse for me to hear about what your uncle did to you. I wish you weren’t all alone and that you still had your parents but I can’t do anything about that. But I can be a friend to you. If you ever feel sad or lonely or just need someone to talk to, write to me and I promise I will write back.
I think I should know that I really do care. I don’t think anyone should be treated like that. But don’t worry nothing bad lasts forever.
Love,
Blake
October
1, 2009
