Afghan children have fun in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, May 26, 2025. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

KABUL, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Amid the shadows of overwhelming challenges, the spirit of Afghan children remains unbroken. In a nation shaped by decades of conflict, instability and hardship, children stand as enduring symbols of resilience and hope.

As the world marks International Children's Day, many Afghan children begin their morning with books in hand, trekking long distances to school. Others, however, head to the streets and markets-not to learn, but to work, helping support families. These young souls bear burdens far beyond their years, trading pencils for tools, and lessons for labor.

Zainab, a sixth-grade student at a private school in Kabul, attends class each day with bright hopes for the future. "Our lessons are progressing well, and we have skilled teachers," she said.

She expressed deep gratitude for her father, who supports her education and provides for her academic needs. "My father works and provides me with everything needed, such as notebooks, uniforms, and school fees."

Zainab dreams of becoming a doctor and appeals to the Afghan interim government to reopen schools for girls above the sixth grade. "I want to go to university. One of my biggest hopes is that schools reopen for everyone, and universities will open to all students, everyone who wants to learn," she said.

In another corner of Kabul, on a dusty makeshift cricket ground, a 13-year-old Sanaullah swings his bat with unwavering determination. Despite limited equipment and a rugged field, his passion for the game is boundless.

"I've been playing cricket for four years. My most memorable moment was dismissing six batsmen in a single over," he said, eyes shining with excitement.

With hard work and faith, Sanaullah believes that he will one day wear the national jersey and represent Afghanistan on the global stage.

"I want to play cricket for the Afghan national team," he declared. For him, each swing of the bat brings him one step closer to the dream.

Sanaullah balances school and sports, attending a public school each afternoon. His family, though struggling financially, supports him wholeheartedly.

In contrast to Zainab and Sanaullah, who chase their dreams through education and sport, 14-year-old Amruddin carries a different burden. As the sole breadwinner in his family, he spends his days pushing a handcart to sell water under the blazing Kabul sun.

"I work from morning till evening, earning 200 to 300 afghani (about 2.8 to 4.2 U.S. dollars), then return home," Amruddin said, with his voice heavy with fatigue.

Though he dreams of going to school and learning to read and write, financial hardship keeps him from the classroom. "I can't afford pens and notebooks," he said. "What I earn goes to buy essentials like rice and oil for family."

According to a recent report by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), around one in three children in Afghanistan are out of school and 60 percent of them are girls.

There is no official data on the number of child laborers in Afghanistan, but thousands can be seen working daily in Kabul's streets-shining shoes, washing cars, selling goods, and toiling in construction sites, metal workshops, brick kilns, and garment factories.

Among those able to study, Ahmad Seyar, an elementary school student, is fascinated by the wonders of the universe. His notebooks brim with drawings of stars, planets, and imaginative inventions.

"I want to become a scientist. Fix a bicycle that can fly, build a high-speed car, and create a helicopter that can fire rockets," he said with quiet determination.

Despite profound challenges, the courage and spirit of Afghan children endure. Their laughter, creativity, and unwavering willpower remain powerful forces against the odds. The Children's Day serves as a poignant reminder that a nation's future depends on how it educate, protect, and empower its youngest generation. ■

An Afghan child laborer is pictured in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, May 26, 2025. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

Afghan child laborers entertain themselves during a break in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, May 26, 2025. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

Afghan girls attend a class at a private school in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, May 26, 2025. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)