“I did my inter-level from my native Jandi Kalpani village in Mardan. My father was an employee of PTCL and died a few years ago. I have four sisters and three brothers all of whom are married. I live in a rented house in Pirwadhai which I share with friends. I have been selling skull caps for several years. Since I have no permanent residence, I keep moving from one city to another. Last month I was in Lahore. My work is seasonal. I sell a lot of caps during Ramazan.

I earn Rs500 per month on an average, but if I put in a little more effort, I sometimes earn more. What I do now is get an order of skull caps from the factory on credit. I pay them back after I have sold my stock. I have developed a good rapport with some factories, so getting stock on credit is not a problem. I have six children - four sons and two daughters. All of them are enrolled in schools in my village, except my eldest son who left school in 7th standard.

His reason for dropping out is that since I have not gained anything from education, what good would it do for him. He now works as a painter. Though I want my children to get an education, in a way my son is right. My uncle did his masters, but never found a decent job. My work earns me money that pulls me through on that day. Tomorrow is a new day, and a new struggle to make a living.”