Six months ago Masoud* was working in the streets of Tikrit (Iraq). Having missed out on school for two whole years owing to the IS occupation, Masoud spent his days collecting empty tins to earn money for his family. Today, six months after meeting with Terre des hommes, he has not only been able to go back to school, but has passed the mid-year exams.

In September 2016, a Terre des hommes social worker visited Masoud’s family several times and successfully persuaded his parents that he should stop this work because of the risks run by a child of his age. Masoud could then spend time at Terre des hommes recreational centre and join in the games and learning activities. He was no longer forced to work and could once again live like a child. A month later, the social worker enrolled him in the local school, despite his educational deficiencies and the headmaster’s reluctance to take him.

Rewarded efforts

In four months of going to school, Masoud has made enormous progress. His teachers describe him as a good pupil, and he passed the mid-year exams in January. Masoud is proud of having caught up with his classmates, even though they are younger than him. He has just had his tenth birthday, and can now go into his third primary school year.

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*Not his real name

Photo credit: © Tdh/Peter Kaeser