Insights into everyday stories...
...of children from Baluchistan
A Hitchhike Story...
Christmas 2018 I, Amir, traveled to Baluchistan.
I'll take you on a virtual journey into the everyday life of children and current events...
Photo source: Amir Najafi (Christmas 2018)
Moments of free time are scarce for children in Baluchistan.
Football and dance for children are most popular activities - but without shoes.
Sand, stone and heat even don't stop these kids.
Many families are extremely poor and cannot afford even shoes for children's fast-growing feet.
Barefoot Dance and Football - Fun in Baluchistan
Hava (Eva) - The Chores of a Child
In August 2019, 10-year-old Hava (in English Eva) was attacked by a swamp crocodile while she was washing clothes for her family at the Bahu Kalat River. Luckily her sister (the girl in the right picture) could help and save her. Hava lost her right arm in this tragic misfortune (source: Didbaniran).
Exactly one year later, in August 2020, 8-year-old Hamza lost his left hand (source: Tribunezamaneh).
The swamp crocodile mainly attacks children because they are small and defenceless. Not all children could however survive: In July 2016, 10-year-old Alireza wanted to fetch water with his friends from the Bahu Kalat River. He was pulled into the water by a swamp crocodile (source: Tabnak).
Access to Education in Baluchistan
Photo source: Tribune
Photo source: Daily Times
Not all children of Baluchistan have access to education. Girls in particular are not always allowed to attend school. Religious families also often stand against education. If not, some children can only go to primary school.
Poor infrastructure is in disfavour this problem and the children often have no choice but to commute or hitchhike.
When Lifeguards Cannot Swim
Maryam (in English Maria), Monireh and Jaßra, three friends, neighbours and classmates wanted to fetch water for their families in June 2019. Accordingly, by noon, they went to the "Hutag", a basin where rainwater for the use of both people and animals is typically stored.
The hot midday temperature tempts them to splash and play with the water. A girl slipped into the water. The other two tried to save her. Knowing none of the three could ever swim (usually only children from the coastlines learn to swim). All three drowned (Source: Mersad News).
Important rainwater pools for the people from isolated villages of Baluchistan are called "Hutag". The water is collected in a basin where people use it not only for domestic uses as driving and washing but also for their livestock.
Merely in the 29th calendar week of 2022, 6 children have drowned in Hutags (source: Iraninternational).
When the Hutags dry up, it's the children's job to beg water from the nearest highway for the families (Source: Asrehamoon).
Hutag - An Essential Rainwater Source
Photo source: Rasank News
Photo source:Rasank News
In August 2018, Zakaria has rescued a child crocodile from dried mud. He was only 10 years old by the time. The brave boy walked to the Conservation Agency holding a live crocodile in hand. There he was photographed immediately (see the left picture). The picture got viral, Zakaria was honoured afterwards as "the smallest environmental conservationist" of Iran (source: Mayarjal).
Unfortunately, Zakaria passed away about 2 years later in February 2021 in a car accident (Source: Tabnak). Baluchistan, as a Sunni area of Shia Iran, suffers from severe infrastructure shortages.
Life Story of Brave Zakaria - The Conservationist
"The water, clean drinking water and
basic sanitation
are not only human rights, but also
part of human dignity and
cornerstone for sustainable development"
(UN Resolution 64/292)