Support Pours In For 14-YO Mumbai Boy Who Was Forced To Sell Tea For A Living Amid Pandemic
In his interview to Humans of Bombay, the unnamed boy revealed that his mother became the sole breadwinner in their family after his father died suddenly of a heart attack.
A few weeks ago, we heard of a 14-year-old boy started selling tea after his mother lost her job amid the pandemic. The teenager named, Subhan, started selling tea in Nagpada, Bhendi Bazar, and other areas in Mumbai, to support his family.
Humans Of Bombay
Now, hundreds have offered to help him through his troubles after the story went viral. In his interview with Humans of Bombay, the boy revealed that his mother became the sole breadwinner in their family after his father died suddenly of a heart attack.
Mumbai: A 14-year-old boy, Subhan sells tea to support his family after his mother's earnings stopped, amid #COVID19 pandemic. She worked as a school bus attendant. He says, "My father died 12 years ago. My sisters study via online classes, I'll resume mine after schools reopen." pic.twitter.com/bwgVMCTkYI
¡ª ANI (@ANI) October 29, 2020
"She would work odd hours and never took any offs because she wanted to provide for us. She gracefully took on Abbu's role as well and never let me or my sisters feel his absence," he said.
Strict about his studies, she once sat her son down after he nearly failed Geography and told him that only education would help him pave the way to a better future.
¡°Ammi has been the sole breadwinner of the family for twelve years now; ever since Abbu suddenly passed away of a heart...
Posted by Humans of Bombay on Monday, November 9, 2020
"She told me that she wants to see me join the AirForce as a Fighter Pilot. Seeing that glee of hope in her eyes, I made that dream my own and started studying very hard. My grades improved and my attendance became 100%," said the young boy.
Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic - which affected thousands of small businesses and put a number of daily wage earners out of work - also affected this family. The young boy's mother lost her job, and they couldn't afford to send him to school after that.
"One month into the lockdown, we had no money at all, even my piggybank was empty," he said.
Humans Of Bombay/Facebook
"Paranthe waale uncle was kind enough to give me a corner. I make my tea at his stall and then bring it across the street to serve the shop owners," the boy says, adding that everyone is nice to him - but his mother blames herself.
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"I don't understand why-all these years she's the one who taught us to put family first, so why is it wrong when I'm doing it? Maybe she's worried that I won't become a Fighter Pilot. But I promise you Didi, I will go back to school," he concludes.
