Security guard Vikram Danuwar: Hopes things get better this year. Right: Cobbler Mohamed Ismail Baloch: has no complaints about his hard life.
By Salman Siddiqui/Staff Reporter
Performing the Haj, earning a better salary, and visiting their home countries to see their loved ones are top priorities for the New Year for some low-income workers in Qatar.
One such dreamer is 34-year-old Mohamed Ismail Baloch, who has been polishing the shoes of Doha residents for the last 15 years.
The Pakistani cobbler has a small wooden cabin just opposite a money exchange centre near the Najma roundabout.
He starts his day at 6am and works till late in the evening every day.
“I know it is hard work, but it’s something which I’ve done since I was a little boy in Pakistan and now I’m really good at what I do. Today, I can turn any old shoe into new like magic,” he said with a big smile.
Previously, Baloch said, he used to work at a similar makeshift shop at the Souq Waqif and he claims his old clients from there still come to his shop because of his talents.
Speaking to Gulf Times about his hopes for 2014, Baloch said: “I have the same hope like I had last year. Every year, I dream of saving up enough money to perform the Umrah and Haj in Makkah someday,” he said. “But alas, even after 15 years, it remains a dream. Inshallah, maybe this year, I will make the pilgrimage.”
Baloch, who hails from Kalat, a poor district in Pakistan’s restive province Balochistan, said that he sends almost all of his money home, where his daughters aged eight and four live with their mother.
His eldest daughter is mute.
“I want my daughters to get a good education,” he said as he brushed a client’s shoe with all the might in his hand as if the shine on it would somehow become a reflection of his own children’s future.
“Let’s see what destiny has in store for them,” he whispered.
Although the hard life of a cobbler has made him appear much older, Baloch says that he has no complaints and is grateful to the Almighty for all he has.
In fact, 2013 was a good year for him, he said, adding that just last month, his brother got engaged.
“One should be happy with what one has and just keep working harder,” Baloch said.
About his plans once he achieves all his dreams, Baloch said: “Once there’s enough for my family, I won’t waste a single second and go home as fast as I can.”
Madin Rai is another hard worker, who works more than 12 hours a day, six days a week, washing cars for a monthly salary of QR600, out of which he also has to arrange for his daily food.
But the 23-year-old Nepali with a ready smile appears as if he has no worries in the world.
However, this is the first time he has worked abroad and he misses home terribly. In fact, he hasn’t been home in 18 months.
“I hope I’m able to go home after the end of my two-year contract. I miss my mother and sister. I’m counting the days,” he said.
About his wish for 2014, Rai said that although he knows it was impossible, but he wishes his salary would be doubled.
“If this happens I would be able to buy some gifts for my family before I eventually head home,” he said.
George, 29, a security guard from Kenya, also works on a 12-hour shift.
He often works in the graveyard shift at a residential compound. “I’m doing everything for my two children back home, for their future … I hope 2014 turns out great.”
George shares his guard duties with Vikram Danuwar, 29, who says he is just glad 2013 is over.
“Last year was tough for me. Very tough for me, I should say. I hope 2014 proves to be better,” he said.
However, not everyone has high hopes for 2014.
Some, like Sri Lankan construction worker Malinda, who lives in a labour camp in the Industrial Area and earns QR900 per month, said that 2014 is the same as 2013 to him.
He asked why everyone says the “Happy New Year” greeting when it was just another new year.
“For me, new year means ‘work then sleep, work then sleep, and then again work, then sleep, everyday, 365 days of the year, just like it was in 2013. There’s no difference,” Malinda pointed out.