The Children

The children of the Garden of Flowers all come from families that are either a single parent (about half of the children have lost a parent), or that struggle to meet their needs. These parents are bakers, day laborers, and security guards, and most are illiterate.

Having a safe place for their small children to go during the day began first as a much-needed source of childcare during the day. But soon the families began to see changes in their children – very positive changes in behavior, energy, and attitude.

At the same time, the children grew more and more at ease at the Garden of Flowers, growing and changing rapidly. And soon their stories began to emerge…

• Gulsom and Yalda are two 4 year olds who walk 3 kilometers with their older sister to get to the Garden of Flowers. The first week they were struggling with cold and painful feet, so the staff bought them new boots. These little girls make the long journey every day ever since.




• When Lima came to the GoF at age 6, the teachers were worried about her. She seemed ‘out of it’, had difficulty focusing and learning, and struggled with self-care, always having a very runny nose. Her hand was terribly scarred from a past burn injury. But within two months, perhaps with the support of good nutrition, a tall confident Lima emerged from her fog, becaming a strong and sharp student who led others. She proudly showed her illiterate mother the small book she had written while her mother kept repeating, “I can’t believe my daughter can read. I can’t believe how smart she is, how good she is…” Lima joined the public school, entering grade 2 in March 2021.




• Zahra came to the GoF as a 6 year old, and it soon became clear that she was extremely serious, driven, and quick. She learned her letters rapidly and was soon writing, and craved lessons and working hard. At the same time, she served as a warm and caring ‘older sister’ to the younger ones, often brushing their hair for them in the morning. By the end of her time at GoF (before going off to public school), Zahra had lost two teeth and had grown into an extremely mature child – even serving as MC at the first International Women’s Day celebration on March 8, 2021.




• Zainab is a tiny girl with a huge personality. Charming, confident, sweet and bright, she is loved by everyone at the GoF, especially little Abu Bakr, who brought her a flower one day!

Our first graduates and the grade level they will be entering in public school:

Back row L to R: Zahra (2nd), Lima (2nd), Husman (3rd)  grade, Fakhrudeen (1st), Zahra (1st)
First row L to R: Hadia (1st), Mukhtar (1st) 

The stories about the children below are written by Fatima, our head teacher, in her own words:

Omid (age 3)

December 2020  

Today Omid also came to the GoF. At first he thanked. He enjoyed with the materials  and other children at GoF.  His Mother told that their house is very cold . Then Omid had  conversation with me. I asked, how many Afghanis did you buy your warm shirt for? He told, No ! Someone in our neighbour give it for me. He told this shirt have two warm pockets so my hands become warm in them . At 10:00 in tea time he made a party with other boys and enjoyed from tea 😁 with his friends. He promised that tomorrow also he will come 😊.

One week later…

Omid is often hanging on, like a monkey! Sometimes he doesn’t want to let go of us. When his mood is off, he needs hugs and sometimes he cries.

[Omid’s older brother, Mukhtar, is also at the GoF. Their mother works at a bakery. Their father was killed by the Taliban.]

October 2020

Laila

Laila is a 5 years old girl. She loves GoF very much!  Every day early morning she comes alone to GoF.  Then her sister or her mother comes to GoF and asks:  “Is Laila at GoF?”  because early morning everyone at their house was asleep.  So she is not waiting for them, and she comes alone at GoF 😀 .  Actually every night Laila says to her family, “I am going to sleep soon, to wake up early morning to go to GoF so I should go early at GoF.”  When Laila arrives at GoF, with the help of Khala Najeeba [the cook] , she takes her bathrobe and goes to the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face and her feet, and then she brushes her hair.

Mukhtar (5 years old)

Mohammad Mukhtar is about 5 or 6 years old. His mother is a baker and his father was killed by the Taliban. Mukhtar’s mother said that her son had trouble eating. But now at the GoF he learned how to eat with spoon and fork just like other children!  He eats his food normally, and when he chews his morsel of food, his mouth’s movement is now normal!  M-Mukhtar’s mother is very happy !

One month later…

When Mukhtar came, he was very pale and thin. But now his cheeks are pink, and he is smarter! He eats so much and loves meals.

[Mukhtar’s mother works at a local bakery. His father was killed by the Taliban. His younger brother, Omid, has also joined the GoF. ]

Fakhrudeen (6 years old)

Fakhrudeen ( فخرالدین)  is  6 year old boy. His family is wondering 🤔 about his changes.  He was a very mischievous boy.  He had opposition with other kids! He wished to have all toys just for himself so he played and ate alone; actually he didn’t like other children !

But since he become GoF’s student, so completely he changed!! Now he loves other kids too and he becomes kind. He divides his toy with other kids at his house. His family says, “Which kind of magic do you have at GoF ?” We told them that is our Montessori magic which can change children !

And also Fakhrudeen says to us, “Dear teachers, why you are not coming on Friday?”  I told him because on Friday we must wash our clothes and do our work at home.

He said ok. 😁

Sudees  (5 years old)

Sudees ( سدیس )  is a 5 years old boy. His mother told that  last week his family had done his circumcision. After that , Sudees said, “Now I should go to GoF!” His family said, “No, now you can’t go because you are sick so you can’t go for about one week to the GoF.” He started to crying very much! His family told him, “Don’t worry you will become healthy soon.” He quickly said, “I am crying because you told me that for one week I can’t go to GoF!”  Sudees said, “Mommy, please after two days I will go to GoF!” His family laughed very much! And told to Sudees, “What is it at GoF?”  He told them: “Everything is at GoF which I need !”

Abu Bakr (age 3)

Abu Bakr, a 3 year old boy, had a cough. He needed to stay home a few days just to make sure all was ok. But Abu Bakr didn’t want to stay home, and told his older sister that he missed going to school and he was fine and after 2 days was begging to come back. So he came back, with a mask on.

[Abu Bakr’s mother died while giving birth to him. He lives with his father and two older sisters.]