Sehran Sabzar’s Journey – The Echoes of Resilience

In the remote village of Rajpora, nestled near Aharbal road in the Kulgam district of South Kashmir, daily life revolves around the quiet hum of vegetable cultivation and sand extraction from the Adigan Nallah. The people here, like in many rural areas, carry a deep sense of resilience and community spirit. However, beneath this bucolic surface lies an underlying struggle—one of poverty, loss, and survival. In June 2023, an unexpected tragedy struck 11-year-old Sehran Sabzar’s family when his father passed away. His father had been the family’s primary breadwinner, and with his sudden death, Sehran’s world crumbled. He was forced to abandon the joys of childhood to take on the heavy burden of supporting his family. At an age when education and dreams should have been his focus, Sehran found himself thrust into the laborious task of sand extraction to make ends meet.

Sehran Sabzar: The protagonist, an 11-year-old boy who loses his father and is forced to shoulder financial responsibilities at a tender age. Sehran’s Mother: Grieving and helpless, she contemplates sending Sehran to a Child Care Institution, fearing for his future. HUMANANITY… the Ultimate Faith (HUF): An organization supported by UNICEF, working to protect vulnerable children through its Family-Based Alternative Care Program. Child Protection Group (CPG): A village-level group that works with HUF to prevent Sehran’s institutionalization and ensures family-based care.

Sehran’s challenges were manifold. First, there was the emotional toll of losing his father and watching his mother grapple with grief. This compounded the financial difficulties his family faced, as his father’s death left them without a source of income. At just 11 years old, Sehran became the sole provider for his family. The possibility of being sent to a Child Care Institution loomed large, as his mother, overwhelmed by their circumstances, considered it as a desperate last resort. The potential separation from his family threatened to strip Sehran of the emotional support that only family bonds can provide. While the Child Care Institution offered him physical sustenance, it could not have filled the void of familial love. There was a real risk that this separation would emotionally scar Sehran and derail his future. In this critical juncture, HUF, in collaboration with the Child Protection Group (CPG), intervened. Recognizing the severity of Sehran’s situation and understanding the long-term effects of institutionalization, HUF worked to ensure that Sehran could remain with his family while receiving the support he needed. Through the Family-Based Alternative Care Program, supported by UNICEF, HUF arranged for a monthly scholarship for Sehran at community level. This scholarship allowed him to focus on his education and provided his family with a financial cushion. The counsellors and social workers from HUF played a vital role in this transformation. They offered emotional counseling to Sehran and his mother, helping them process their grief and the challenges of their new reality. Sehran, no longer shackled by the immediate need for financial survival, could now return to school and focus on his education. His emotional healing was also aided by the support system around him. HUF’s counsellors encouraged him to express his emotions through writing, and in doing so, Sehran found a new outlet for his pain and hopes. One particular entry in his notebook stood out: “Sheran is Back”. These three simple words signified not just the return of a boy to his education, but the resurrection of a spirit that had once been burdened by loss and despair.

Sehran’s story is one of resilience, hope, and the power of community-based interventions. His journey from the brink of institutionalization to re-engagement with education reflects the profound impact that HUF and the Family-Based Alternative Care Program had on his life. By prioritizing family preservation over institutional care, HUF helped Sehran reclaim his childhood and his future. This case highlights the importance of community-led interventions in safeguarding the emotional and psychological well-being of vulnerable children. The support Sehran received did more than just address his immediate financial needs; it preserved the most crucial aspect of his life, his connection to his family and his ability to dream again. Sehran’s journey, though rooted in personal tragedy, has become a source of inspiration for his village and beyond. The resilience he has shown, coupled with the unwavering support from HUF and CPG, serves as a beacon of hope for other families facing similar crises. The story of Sehran and his family underscores the importance of faith in humanity and the belief that no child should have to face the trials of life alone. His words, “Sheran is Back”, now echo through Rajpora, a testament to the power of resilience, community, and the unyielding hope that, with the right support, any challenge can be overcome. Sehran’s case illustrates the effectiveness of family-based care and the significance of keeping vulnerable children within their family environment, even in times of extreme hardship. The intervention by HUF, transformed not just one life, but an entire family’s future. Sehran’s resilience, rekindled hope, and restored sense of purpose now stand as a testament to the strength of children when supported by a loving family and a compassionate community.