The Return: story of Oybek
Oybek lived with his mother and grandmother in a clay house with no heating. He did not even have a bed; they didn’t have money.
(Name changed to protect identity)
Oybek never knew his dad. His father died before he turned one year old.
Oybek lived with his mother and grandmother in a clay house with no heating. He did not even have a bed; they didn’t have money. After his grandmother died, his mother began to drink a lot.
"She couldn’t live without alcohol," Oybek said, wiping his tears he continued, "When I turned 7, my mother left for Russia to earn money. I was very hurt that she left me. I felt empty and lonely, even though I knew that she did it because we had nothing to eat. After my mom left, I lived with my uncle and aunt. They always scolded me, uncle drank sometimes, and he even hit me once. I was unhappy".
Oybek’s family was assisted by a team of social workers trained within the interregional project "Protecting children affected by migration in Southeast, South and Central Asia", funded by the European Union and UNICEF.
They helped Oybek’s mother go through a three-month rehabilitation course in a narcological center to get rid of her alcohol addiction. Soon she started working and providing for the family.
"Mom returned home. She does not drink anymore. I used to be ashamed of her, but now she has changed," Oybek says with a smile. "Mom makes an effort for me, she works hard every day. Mahalla, school and the Youth Union provides us with clothes, since mom’s money is only enough for food. But I do not care much about clothes. I am just happy that I'm not alone anymore. I got my mom back and made friends".
Oybek was given the opportunity to attend extra-curricular activities for free. He has a good relationship with his peers and studies well. Thanks to the work of the psychologist, Oybek’s mental health has significantly improved. He has become a very cheerful boy.
The family receives a child benefit, and the Red Crescent society provides them with vitamins and medicine. UNICEF and the Youth Union provided them with school materials and sports equipment, and the center of Sakhovat and Kumak regularly supplies food.
"I am very glad that my mother is back!", Oybek says.
"When I grow up, I will become an architect and will build a beautiful house for my mom to live a long and happily life in. I try hard for my dreams to come true therefore, I draw a lot". Oybek takes a dream house he drew and hangs it on the wall of his room.
