We got into the lives of the teenagers from Afghanistan collecting paper that we almost see every day. We have realized that what teenagers from Afghanistan are holding tight are not just the arms of their ‘Cek cek’ but also their hopes.

Looking from one street to the other with their special big bag and vehicles called ‘Cek cek’ produced to collect paper youth from Afghanistan, load everything they can sell from the garbage to their ‘Cek cek’. They can fit hundreds of kilos of waste paper or plastic to their big bags. We asked to Rustem and Cavit from Afghanistan, why they came to Turkey and for which reason they gain the waste paper.

Coming to Turkey to collect paper and plastic, because there is war environment and no job in their country. Looking for hope and future in garbage everyday Cavit and Rustem, holding the arms of their ‘Cek cek’ tight collect waste materials from the garbage and sell it. They send the money they earn by selling the wastes they collected, to their families living in Afghanistan in poverty.

There is war every day in Afghanistan

Indicating that the clashes in Afghanistan are still going on Cavit, said: “ I came here to work. There is war every day in Afghanistan. I had to come to Turkey. I need money so I earn by collecting paper. There ashes every day in Afghanistan. I love Turkey. There are many people from Afghanistan here.  They each work in different jobs here.  We have relatives in Europe but I like to work here. I work with ‘Cek cek’ I collect paper and plastic waste.”

Speaking to ILKHA about why he preferred to come Turkey rather than Europe the other teenager Rustem, said he loves Turkey but doesn’t love Europe like the other refugees going to Europe because they discriminate Muslims in Europe. Rustem with his own Turkish words, says; “I am 18 years old. There is no money in Afghanistan. There are very little number of Muslims in Europe. Also in Europe there is Islamophobia. I don’t want to go Europe. I love Turkey. Turkey is a Muslim country. I send the money I collected herd to my poor family in Afghanistan.” (ILKHA)