This is a story taken out of the book the Forgotten. Written by Saima Hassan and Photographed by Katie Basbagill
“Twelve year old Ume Halima loves the Discovery Channel, storybooks, and going to school. She is one of eight siblings. Her parents sent her away to live with and work for an elderly couple. They needed the additional income to feed the family of ten. Ume Halima cooks and cleans for the couple. Although she misses her family terribly, she wants nothing more than to make them proud, so she works very hard. Her favorite animal is an eagle. She wishes she could be like one, but she would rather become a doctor to help the people of her village than soar with her favorite birds. Deeply grateful to be attending OBAT’s School, she values her education like one would value a basic necessiry like water or air. Ume Halima is not a Bihari and she does not live in the cam. She is however from a very disadvantaged background and OBAT wants to keep it’s door open for anyone who can benefit from its services.”
