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'Most rich men honour me'

Written by Awrang Mukhtar
Saturday, 28 January 2012 16:32

'Most rich men honour me' Gul Agha is a blacksmith. The 38-year-old says proudly he has crafted at least 5,000 different kinds of doors that adorn houses in three provinces.
There is no doubt that Gul Agha likes his work. He makes frames for windows, tables and all kinds of things from iron.
He says with a great deal of satisfaction that he has been able to provide food to his family and participate in the reconstruction and rebuilding of his war-torn country.
Gul Agha's shop is across the Fifth Police District in Sarai Hirati. He told me the story of how he became a blacksmith but before that he said, "Our economic situation was not good 25 years ago, but I saw a big change in my life when I started working as a smith. Now I earn enough to solve my own problems. I also help some poor people. I have some students too who are able to earn a small amount by working with me."

Starting young
Gul Agha was 13 when his father introduced him to a smith. For the first five years, he was a student in the workshop, learning everything there was to be learnt at the hands of an able teacher. He was a determined student. He never gave up going to school even while he was an apprentice at the workshop. He has graduated from school. Education is the base of every profession, Gul Agha says sagely. "Otherwise no one can be successful."
"I am proud I have been able to pay for the food I eat. All members of my family live a comfortable life," he says with honest candour. There are 18 members in his family including his parents and brothers' families.
Gul Agha feels professions that "honour their country" are respected. As an example he cites his own work. "Most rich men honour me because their houses are beautified by my hands."

Education is a big boon
In 25 years he has worked in Kabul, Parwan and Balkh provinces, and "made many friends". He owns three houses: in Kabul, Mazar and Charikar. "I earn a lot - (the money) blessings of this duty I fulfill," he says with disarming simplicity. His monthly earnings are between 75,000 and 100,000 Afs (roughly 1,520 and 2,025 USD).
As he chatted to me, Gul Agha was working with his students, applying colour to big metal doors. Among the others in the workshop are three brothers, two sons and five students. "Fourteen of my former students are experts like me," he says very proudly. "They own workshops like mine. They pray for me," he says modestly.
He advises everyone should have an education and profession. "I have seen many people who are unskilled. They face many financial problems. It is their mistake."
"I am not a proud man," he says. "But I am proud I can be of use to people and look after my family."

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