An Afghan Refugee Wants to Return Home
Although Anaar Gul has never seen his motherland, he has desires to go back to Afghanistan. Even though Anaar was born and raised in Pakistan he feels the time is right to return home. Regardless of his reservations about leaving his birthplace, Anaar is extremely excited to return to where his ancestors are from. He describes hearing stories from his elders and is excited to experience those things for himself.
This decision did not come easy to the 27 year old. Gul talked with UNHCR staff about the current and possible future conditions of his hometown in the southern Helmand province. According to the UNHCR, his hometown now offers work doing road construction for 600 rupees. “Our relatives tell us that we can earn 600 rupees (US $8) a day in road construction work. That is enough to enable us to spend a decent life in our own country,” he said. This amount is a huge increases from 200 rupees that he and his father currently get paid. This pay increase makes the decision to move all the more enticing. Anaar wants a future for his wife and daughter and thinks with his homeland now in repair he can finally provide a proper home for his family.