Ten-year-old Ashraf lives with his parents and many siblings in Al Koom Al Ahmar. Growing up, Ashraf frequently watched his father smoke shisha at home. In his young mind, smoking became associated with manhood and growing up. Looking for a way to feel older and escape the noise of a crowded household, Ashraf began sneaking into his father’s room to steal cigarettes from the packs left lying around. He would then run up to the roof to smoke in secret. What started as an experiment quickly turned into a daily habit.

Ashraf’s perspective completely changed when he joined one of our local Transformational Community Development (TCD) children’s groups. During one of the sessions, the teacher led a lesson on the severe health and financial dangers of smoking, using clear visual aids to show how tobacco damages the lungs and body. The lesson deeply impacted Ashraf, who suddenly realized that smoking was not a sign of strength, but a serious threat to his health and his family.

Moved by what he learned, Ashraf showed incredible courage. He stood up in front of the TCD group and confessed to his peers and the teacher, saying, “I’ve been smoking for a long time. I thought it made me big and strong, but now I’m scared for myself and for my dad.”

Instead of scolding him, the teacher and his classmates supported him. The teacher encouraged him, noting that admitting the truth was the first and most important step toward breaking the habit.

That evening, instead of going to the roof to smoke, Ashraf stayed in his room to reflect on the lesson and the teacher’s words. Motivated by a genuine concern for his family’s well-being, he made the decision to quit smoking and planned to have an honest conversation with his father about the dangers of tobacco.

Thank you,

Written by Kerstina and Bassem, GHNI TCD Workers