Ever since his father was killed by a roadside bomb, young Mohammad shines shoes to support his family.

Operation Blessing’s Kumar Periasamy shares firsthand about a new educational project that’s helping impoverished children in Afghanistan.

KABUL, Afghanistan – As I walked into a restaurant for lunch, I was greeted by a young boy named Mohammad. He was a “shoe-shine boy” for all the customers, and seemed very bright, handsome and industrious.

Sadly, his father was killed by a roadside bomb and his mother had no skill set that would allow her to earn an income, so she had no other choice but to beg on the busy streets of Kabul.

For most poverty-stricken families here, survival is the goal and schooling is simply out of reach. As the oldest among four siblings, Mohammad took the role of bread winner to help his mother, but his hope is and has always been for his siblings to gain an education.

To encourage families who can’t afford to send their children to school, Operation Blessing is partnering with an education center to provide free classes. Together, we cleaned up an old building, made repairs and painted the walls.

Children from the poorest families in Kabul study at an Operation Blessing supported free education center.

Today the center now offers classes from pre-school to fifth grade, where children are taught to read, write and be creative. I was amazed to see how these beautiful Afghan children were learning, drawing, and participating in their classes. In every child I could see a special gift and a promise for a brighter future—which now includes Mohammed’s family as well

His younger siblings now have the opportunity to attend the education center, and when Mohammed has a bit of free time, he too visits the educational center to learn to read and write.

“Thank you,” he told me with a big smile.

HOW YOU CAN HELP: Operation Blessing is helping to transform the futures of children like these by providing clean water, education assistance, nutritional feeding programs, medical care and more. Please make an online contribution toward OBI's orphan care programs today and help us continue to reach those in need.