A woman lived in Kabul. Her name was F and she had a husband whose name was A.
They were very poor, but they were so happy. F worked hard because she wanted to help her husband. They had three daughters.
One day, F was talking with her husband she said, “We do not have money.” They always worried about money and her husband went off to work at his shop. When he went into the street, a passing car hit him. Two boys came to help him, but he died.
F was sad, not just because of her husband, but because of her daughters. What would happen to them without a father? Her brother said, “Come live with me,” so she and her daughters went to live with her brother.
Soon after, a fourth daughter was born and this was me. When I was born, everyone said, “This is not good because F does not have a son.” But my mother said, “God gave me this girl,” and my mother was happy.
When I was two years old, my father’s brother said to my mother, “You have no money. You must give me your two oldest daughters.” My mother said, “I can’t give you my daughters.” But my uncle said, “If you don’t give them to me, I will kill your brother.” She was scared and she gave him my two older sisters.
My sisters don’t like to live with my uncle. His home has many rooms and my sisters must cook and clean for his family. He will not allow them to go to school or to marry. He wants them to always cook and clean. Sometimes my sisters are allowed to come visit and they are very happy with me and my other sister M and we all think we are a family again.
My mother works a lot so I can study. I want to be a teacher so I can help my mother and Afghanistan. This is my hope and I will do it.
By Madia, age 14
Madia, I am so glad you wrote this. It is a difficult story, but a story we must hear. You are doing the best you can, you wrote your deepest truth, and the best things are: you are strong, you have an important goal to be a teacher, and you have a wonderful mother. I hope you will write more about your life so we can understand and support you.
Dearest Madia: I read this piece and I wish I could reach through the computer and hug your mother and I wish I could hug you, too–you make us all so proud. I have a dream that you and your sisters will be reunited soon, and they too can study. I hope and pray that this dream comes true soon. Thank you for sharing so much of your life here, with us. You give us a great gift. Keep up the beautiful work! Stacy
Ugh. I ache for you and your sisters in this piece and I feel angry that your uncle has divided your family in this way. I hope someday you can be reunited for good.
Madia,
Thank you for telling us the story of your family. It shows not the just hardship of one family, but the injustice of a society that allows this to happen. You sound like a strong and brave girl, wanting to help not only your family but your country. I know you will succeed.
Warmly,
Jill
Dear Madia,
Thank you for writing this. Even though your family is divided now, no one can divide your hearts. People can live together and “be apart”. But there are others who can live apart, but nothing can divide their hearts. I know you will be very successful and help your family and your country. All the best to you.
Jeannie
Hi Madia,
I really liked your story. I loved how you wrote it so that it started so happily, then became dark and scary, and then ended in a really strong and hopeful place. I feel like I have travelled with you on this journey and can really understand your determination. I also really liked the surprise of finding out that the narrator was you half way through – I think that was a really good technique to use and it showed me that you are a clever and imaginative author. I’m looking forward to reading what you write next,
Thank you,
Sophie
Madia,
I see your poem talking to flowers has received many, many comments so I will talk about the one about your family. For me, the most powerful writing from Afghan women comes for their experience. In the short essay, you have written about something that happened to your older sisters that we in The West can barely imagine. A mother’s having to give up not just one but two of her daughters to this relative is unimaginable! That makes it a very moving piece of writing. Thank you for sharing it. I hope you will continue to find time to develop your writing skills to reach more and more people with your voice.
Madia,
Your story of family bonds if a sad and heartbreaking one. I hope your sisters are able to return to your home. Your words are well written, and moving. The horror from your mother is clearly stated, and sets the mood of your piece very well. Maybe your uncle will return your sisters soon. We all hope so! Thank you so much for sharing this story.
Madia,
I really enjoyed reading this! Just by writing on this website is already helping tons of people.You deciding to become a teacher will help even more people. I love how you follow your dreams, telling all the stories, showing people from around the world how you have been treated and what the people in Afghanistan desire. You share out everything that you care and think about. People are paying attention and are supporting you. One day, you will have the same freedom and education just like everyone that has read your story.
– Melody S. 42339
Dear Madia,
I hope everything turns out okay for you. There is one thing that I am sure of: if you hold onto your dream, it will come true someday.
Madia,
Thank you for writing your story. People halfway across the world like me are reading your stories. If you study hard enough, you can be able to help your mother and your sisters! I hope you write more stories!
Dear Madia,
As I read your essay, I feel a mix of emotions. One part of me feels your sadness for growing up in a tough childhood. I am very sorry for that. Another part of me shows me that you are a very brave and strong girl. You are a girl with a dream of becoming a teacher. Don’t let anyone get in the way of your dream. Work hard for it and you will succeed. One day you will see that your hard work will pay off. Never give up and stay strong. Your family will be very proud of you!
Best of luck,
-Karen
Madia, your story is sad and a little happy. Your story tells about everyone’s feelings and why they felt that way. It shows why your sisters do not like working and living at your Uncle’s home. I hope your sister will come back to you. Keep working on reaching your goal!
Madia
It is such a heartbreaking story. Ihope your sister could be happy and live there own life and do what they want to do. I truly wish that everything would work out for you and your family. Your story made me think of how lucky i was to have a family. I know now, that just someday, maybe not today, maybe not tommorow, maybe not in years, but someday, your dream will come ture! Wish you the best of luck.
Madia,
I think that you do not deserve to have your family split apart because your family: your parents, your sisters, and you did not do anything so cruel as to have your father die and your sisters being under your uncle’s control. I hope that your sisters will be able to rejoin you, your sister, and your mother, good luck.
Madia, your story is inspiring. I hope that your strength, determination and hope stay with you throughout your life. I believe you can help your mother and Afghanistan.
My sweet Madia jaan,
I am so proud that your story has been published. I know you will be successful in pursuing your dreams.
Love Elisabeth