My Life Story (Part 2): School Without Shelter

I joined school when I was just four years old.

Most children that age are carried to school or escorted by an adult. For me, school meant a long and exhausting journey. Every morning, my siblings and I woke up early and began a walk that took nearly two hours. The road was long, dusty, and unforgiving, but we had no choice. Education was the only hope we had, even when our bodies were too small to carry such a burden.

Life became even harder when my father abandoned us.

With his absence, any form of support disappeared. There was no money for food, no school supplies, and no assurance of tomorrow. My mother was left to carry the weight of everything alone. From that moment, survival became our daily routine, and childhood became a luxury we could no longer afford.

I went to school wearing civilian clothes.

While other children wore uniforms that made them feel equal, I stood out. My...