Five (5) year old boy Asnawe narrated how difficult his life became when his father died years ago. Together with his (3) siblings, they relied on their aunts who are farmers for support as their mother has no job.
According to Asnawe, when there is no food to eat, his mother would ask him to borrow money from the neighbours in order to buy rice at the store. However, there are times when no one would lend a hand. During such cases, he would just play outside and entertain himself to forget the hunger.
He would return home with stomach ache and his mother would tell him and his siblings to just sleep in order to forget the hunger. Despite hardship, Asnawe remains hopeful. His dream is to become a Hafidh (a person who memorized the Qur’an) in order to ensure that his family members enters Janna (Heaven). He is currently in Qaeedah (Level 1) in the Toril and strives hard in memorizing the Qur’an. He said that, in the beginning, living in the Toril was hard, but he chose to stay in order to lessen the burden of his family and to make his dream come true.
“Mab’b’lag ako saki ome ago so mga pagare akn, na di ta di makatigr ka kagya aya akn mapipikir na so singanin akn a makapasad mangadi agu mbaloy a Hafidh (I’m away from my mother and siblings but I have to endure the pain because of my dream to finish my studies and ultimately become a Hafidh),” Asnawe said. He is inspired to finish his studies not only because of the company of his classmates but also because it was the dream of his father (to become a Hafidh).
Reference: Hana T. Yusoph
