A happy family is the source of love and strength

In March 2021, two brothers – Shokhrukh, then 9, and Sherzod, 7 (names changed) – returned to Uzbekistan after five long years in Afghanistan. Childhood had not been kind to them. Their father had been killed in front of their eyes, and not long after, their mother also passed away. The boys were left without parents in a foreign land torn by conflict.

Their grandmother, Khosiyat (name changed), took them into her care. By then, she had already sold her apartment in Andijan, hoping to buy another, but the deal fell through. With nowhere else to go, she moved in with her sister. Fifteen people now share the same roof, but the boys at least had a safe place to call home.

When the boys arrived in Uzbekistan, they were frightened – too shy to meet anyone’s eyes, too anxious to speak. Social workers from the local Inson Social Service Centre began visiting regularly. Slowly, trust was built. With their help, Khosiyat managed to obtain death certificates for her daughter and son-in-law – an essential but complicated process given the war context. This allowed the family to access a small survivor’s allowance.

Almost immediately, the boys were enrolled in school. At first it was difficult – they were withdrawn and unsure – but gradually they adapted. Now, three years later, the changes are remarkable.

Two different paths, one strong bond

Shokhrukh, now 13, dreams of becoming an engineer. “I like to deal with different mechanisms, I want to understand how things work,” he says. He studies English, swims, and often visits a local auto workshop where he eagerly watches mechanics repair cars.

His younger brother, Sherzod, has other passions. He loves to draw and attends an art club at school. At the same time, he trains in boxing – and recently won first place in a local competition. “I don’t know yet what I like more, boxing or drawing,” he admits with a grin.

Thanks to the mahalla committee, the boys were able to join sports clubs for free. The committee also provides regular support to the family – food parcels, clothing, coal in winter. Neighbours and relatives help too, making sure the family never feels alone.

“We actively cooperate with the ‘mahalla three’ – the social worker, women’s activist, and youth leader – who provide great support to this family,” says social worker Ruza Radzhapova. “But the biggest strength is the loving relationships inside the family itself. Despite so many people living under one roof, everyone helps each other. The boys protect each other. That love is their most important resource.”

For children who have lost so much, the warmth of family is the greatest healing. As Khosiyat works with social workers to secure a home of their own, her grandsons are already proving that with love and community, children can grow, learn, and thrive, even after the hardest of beginnings.

This support was made possible through the EU-funded project “EU-UN Support for Central Asian Citizens Returning from Conflict Zones”, which helps ensure that repatriated children and families receive the protection, services, and opportunities they need to rebuild their lives with dignity.