“My day starts with scolding by mother us to help her in work. Each morning, I have to fetch water and collect grass for our goats. It’s a nightmare and I am totally fed up especially during summer times. I wanted to become a teacher when I grow up. But, how is that really possible? I have no books to study and neither do we have money for school fees. I will never become a teacher, plus am wasting time in search of water and tending to our animals.”

— Zunaira*, slum child, Islamabad.

It is shocking to note that  seven-year old Zunaira is so angry with life and her circumstances. But there is little she can do, born in poverty in illiterate family has robbed her of a better future and she is quite aware of the unfortunate fact that  she has limited and meager choices. Her father works as…