Eid is here but no one comes to take them home

For these children,Eid is the only festival when they go back home to meet their mother,relatives and friends.

Maulana Zakariya,the cleric at the orphanage says,“Most of the children here have lost their father. Their mother leaves them with us. But,they make sure they take their children home every year for Eid. These children have been waiting for anybody from their family to come but no one came yet,so they are upset”.

While most of the children usually celebrate Eid at home,for those who have nowhere to go,the orphanage makes necessary arrangements.

“We give all the children new clothes and ediyah (gift). The orphanage also cooks sewaiyan and pakodis for them. The children get very sad if their mothers don’t turn up,so,we also take them out to eid fairs and the masjid if they ask us to. Otherwise it is a day off for them. After the prayers,the elder ones can go wherever they want and have fun,” says Zakariya.

Hiding in a corner sits Mohammed Shabaz (10) from Meerut. “After my father’s death I came to this orphanage,but I do miss my home. Every Eid my mother cooks sewaiyan,gives me gifts when I go home. But no one came this time. I packed my luggage a week ago,my brother should have come by now,but I am still waiting,” he says.

A despondent Osama (11) stands next to his cupboard admiring a colourful piece of art.

“I made this piece for my house thinking I will decorate my house with it. But no one came to pick me up. For Eid,we decorate our house,eat sweets and I spend a lot of time with my mother. I know my mother is poor and cannot take care of me,that is why I am here,but Eid is the time I get to go back. I do not know why no one came this time,I pray someone comes otherwise I will be left alone here,” he says.