Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Sunday Morning

Aschiana Children Center Offers Help to Afghan Children

Aired February 10, 2002 - 11:12   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Years of war and poverty have taken a toll on Afghanistan's children, struggling to survive in an impoverished country. They do not have many opportunities to play or get an education. But now, hope thanks to a center in the capitol of Kabul, offering children something they've been denied for so long, their dignity. CNN's Kathy Healey explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATHY HEALEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): On any given day, on any given street, in the Afghan capitol of Kabul, you see plenty of children, only these children aren't playing games. They're on the streets just trying to survive. These are children who once went to school, but today must figure out a way to earn some money for their keep.

UNIDENTIFIED BOY (through interpreter): I live with my mother and sister. I work to earn a living for us. In the future, I'd like to become a good carpenter.

UNIDENTIFIED BOY (through interpreter): I work in the area of the bus station. I wait for passengers and carry their luggage. Sometimes they give me some money.

HEALEY: The reason for so many street children in Kabul is fairly easy to understand. It's a country of seemingly endless war, and if war didn't deny the kids both parents, chances are Afghanistan's long-running drought, which brought famine, has.

So kids, some barely out of their toddler years, are forced to take on a new role. Kids are the sole bread winner in the household.

MOHAMMAD YOUSEF, ASCHIANA CHILDREN CENTER: We had (inaudible) in 1996 and Kabul city (inaudible). Kabul city we solve it with (inaudible) and street working children. Now maybe this has doubled or more than doubled because one reason is drought and another is displacement and some people lost their job and most of the children and also the price of food and material is high.

HEALEY: Mohammed Yousef is the Director the Aschiana Children Center in Kabul. Started in 1995 with the help of a Swiss group (inaudible), it's a place where thousands of Kabul street kids are put on a path to a better life. YOUSEF: And (inaudible) basic education, (inaudible) program, physical education and basic education like (inaudible) mathematics and (inaudible) and (inaudible) skill for the children.

HEALEY: Valuable as this center may be, parents often become disgruntled that their children are spending at least some of the day learning and not earning. The center pretty much operates under nations alone, spending that $14 per child a month. Not much perhaps, but enough to provide some support and hopes to those who may need it most. Kathy Healey, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com