From Struggle to Strength – Husain E

Husain E was one of ten siblings, born into a family where every single rupee mattered and school was a place other children went to. His home was a small, worn-out shack somewhere on the outskirts of Islamabad. His family migrated from Afghanistan many years ago due to the war. His father firmly believed that his children deserved education, dignity, and the opportunity to grow into responsible individuals within a healthy and stable society. Leaving behind uncertainty and hardship, the family settled in Pakistan with the hope of building a better future for their children.

Husain’s life took a decisive turn when he was enrolled in Pehli Kiran School No.2 (PKS-2) and his education journey began. For a child coming from extreme hardship, PKS-2 was more than a school, it offered a place of stability, care and belief. The school played a pivotal role in not only enabling his academic growth but also developing his confidence and character. The teachers and principal provided continuous encouragement, guidance, and emotional support. Husain recalls that even during times of severe financial difficulty, when his family depended on charity to survive, PKS stood firmly by him and his teachers ensured that financial constraints never became a barrier to learning. He completed primary education from PKS-2 and then enrolled in a government school to study further. From Class 6 to Matriculation, he worked while continuing his studies, mostly rummaging through piles of trash for anything he could sell to support his family. Despite an exhausting routine, he did not give up on education. The staff at Pehli Kiran remained a source of strength during this period, encouraging him to continue his studies with discipline and hope. Later he began working at clinics in E-11 Islamabad, learning basic medical procedures, assisting doctors, and gaining practical skills. His perseverance reflected the values instilled and reinforced in him by his teachers.

He successfully cleared his Matriculation in 2018 and went on to complete a two-year diploma as a Nurse Assistant. This was a particularly stressful period, with long working hours, financial stress and social pressures, but he remained steadfast. By 2020, he had completed his training and got a job with a good salary at a clinic in Islamabad.

He got married in 2021. A year later, he set up his own business. Although the business initially faced losses, he did not lose hope. Today, Husain runs his own clinic in D-14, Islamabad, earning a modest but respectable income. His clinic is neat, well-managed, and focused on giving people the kind of medical attention he wished his own family had received growing up. To ensure that patients are treated on time and properly, he has hired two doctors to work alongside him. Today, Husain runs this clinic with pride. It’s more than just a workplace. It’s his way of giving back. He supports his family and helps educate his younger siblings who also completed their primary education from PKS-2. But perhaps the most beautiful part of his journey is his continuing connection with Pehli Kiran Schools. Whenever PKS calls on him, whether for a medical camp, an awareness drive, or just to talk to students about what is possible in life, he is always there.

Husain’s story is an example of resilience and a living testament that poverty is not a life sentence. Pehli Kiran Schools played a crucial role in shaping his journey, instilling in him the belief that education could change the course of his life. Mentoring and guidance by his teachers gave him the strength to endure hardship without losing faith or focus. Today, as he reflects on his journey, he acknowledges that Pehli Kiran laid the foundation that enabled him to move forward with confidence, dignity, and hope.