A Journey of Education, Alongside Sacrifices

A true journey filled with courage, hope, and sacrifices

My name is Ahmed, and this is the story of how I fought for my education — not with money, but with hard work, hope, and daily sacrifices.

I was born in a poor family where life revolved around survival. My father worked as a laborer, earning just enough to feed us. Education, for him, was a luxury — something we couldn’t afford. Whenever I mentioned school or college, he would remain silent or tell me, “Pehle roti ka intezam ho, phir taleem ki baat karna.” It hurt, but I understood — we didn’t have the means.

But I couldn’t let my dreams die in silence. I had always believed that education was the only way out of poverty. So I decided to take charge of my life. I began working at a local photocopy shop after school. I was just a teenager, juggling between schoolwork during the day and handling customers, printing papers, and making copies in the evening.

The shop became my second classroom. I learned how to deal with people, how to be responsible, and most importantly — how to stay committed to a goal. Every rupee I earned went towards my school fees, books, and transport. Sometimes I had to skip meals to save money, but I never skipped a class.

While working at the shop, I saw many university students who came to get their assignments printed. I would often ask them questions and try to learn from them. One day, I overheard a group of students talking about Daraz and how people were earning by selling products online. That conversation stuck with me.

That night, I went home and searched “How to sell on Daraz.” The internet was slow, and my phone was old, but I didn’t stop. I watched YouTube videos, read blog posts, and slowly began to understand how e-commerce worked. I had no investment, but I had the will to try.

I talked to a local shopkeeper who sold mobile accessories. I asked him if I could list his products on Daraz under my account and handle the online side for him. At first, he laughed and said, “Tum kya kar loge?” But I convinced him to give me a chance.

I created a Daraz seller account and listed his products. I took photos with my basic phone, wrote simple descriptions, and started promoting the listings through free platforms. The first few weeks were slow. I got no orders. But I didn’t lose hope.

Then one day, my phone buzzed — I had received my first order.

That moment changed everything.

I packed the order carefully and shipped it. Then came the second order… then the third. Slowly, things started to move. My seller rating improved. I learned how to handle customers, deal with returns, and maintain stock. I made many mistakes, but each one taught me something.

I would go to school in the morning, work at the shop in the afternoon, and manage my Daraz orders at night. My life had no time for fun or rest — but I was happy. I was building something for myself, with no help, no support — just pure determination.

Months passed, and my sales increased. From one supplier, I added two more. I started earning enough not just to support my studies but also to help my family. I paid my own fees, bought a second-hand laptop, and gave pocket money to my younger brother.

The same father who once doubted my dreams now looked at me differently. He didn’t say it, but I could feel his pride. One day, he quietly left a cup of tea on my study table at night while I was packing an order — a small gesture, but to me, it meant everything.

My Daraz store became stable, and my income became consistent. I was still a student, still working at the photocopy shop — but now I was also an online entrepreneur.

My journey is far from over. I still face challenges every day — tough exams, delayed orders, rude customers, financial pressure — but I face them with courage. Because I know how far I’ve come.

From a boy whose father couldn’t support his education to a young man running his own online business — I’ve lived every part of this journey with faith and sacrifice.

And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this:

Dreams don’t need wealth — they need willpower.

Success doesn’t come from comfort — it comes from struggle.

I want to inspire others like me — students who feel hopeless because of poverty, who think they can’t continue education because no one is helping them. I want to tell them: Yes, you can. If you are ready to work hard, be patient, and believe in yourself — nothing is impossible.

Because I am living proof.