Ghulam Qadir, 13 years old

Ghulam Qadir is a differently abled child who is unable to speak. He grew up on the outskirts of Karachi and divides his time between his family home and a madrasa in rural Sindh.

His usual route home takes him through a roadside stop. One day, when returning from the madrasa, he got separated from his group and disappeared at that stop. The group he was traveling with searched for him but could not find him. Ghulam remained missing for two months.

Because he cannot speak, Ghulam has not been able to share what happened during that time. Roshni Helpline eventually located him at a shelter home in Karachi. It is believed that he may have spent time on the streets or at a shrine before finding his way back to the city. His body language and behavior suggest that the experience was deeply distressing.

When reunited with his family, Ghulam was visibly relieved and overjoyed. He now spends most of his time playing with his brothers and cousins and walking through his village. He has a special fondness for animals and enjoys caring for them in his free time.