Four Wives, 58 Children: Afghan Father Struggles to Support His Family
A 57-year-old man in Afghanistan is struggling to provide food, clothing and education for his 58 children, as his large family faces severe financial hardship.
Mohammad Sadiq, who lives in Uruzgan province, supports his family of four wives and 58 children on a limited income. The family’s financial difficulties have become so serious that some children reportedly go to bed hungry, while ensuring access to education remains a major challenge.
According to a BBC report cited by America Bangla, Sadiq works at a car showroom and earns around 1,000 Afghanis when he manages to sell a vehicle. His income is insufficient to cover the daily needs of such a large household. Some of his children have also started working, collecting paper and plastic to sell as fuel to help support the family.
Living conditions are difficult. The family generally prepares two meals a day, with two of his wives taking responsibility for cooking. During winter, family members eat together indoors, while they gather in the courtyard during warmer weather.
Sleeping arrangements are equally challenging, with six or seven family members sometimes sharing a single thin blanket. The house also lacks adequate facilities, making it difficult to maintain privacy, hygiene and comfortable living conditions.
Despite these hardships, Sadiq says he has tried to send his children to school. However, education costs remain beyond what the family can comfortably afford. He is also illiterate, adding to the challenges of managing the household and planning for his children’s future.
Sadiq has appealed to the government, aid organisations and businesspeople for financial assistance to help provide basic necessities and educational opportunities for his children.
He reportedly wanted to build a large family out of his religious desire to increase the followers of Prophet Muhammad. However, he acknowledges that caring for so many children has become increasingly difficult. He sometimes struggles to remember all their names.
The report also highlights concerns surrounding early marriage and repeated pregnancies. According to the account, Sadiq’s four wives were between 13 and 16 years old when they married him, while he was 20 at the time of his first marriage.
For Sadiq, the immediate priority is ensuring that every member of his family has enough to eat and that his children have a chance to receive an education. With limited earnings and growing responsibilities, securing outside assistance has become increasingly important.
Reporting by Borderless for The Borderless Journal. Filed under Uncategorized · 23 Oct 2026, 16:00.
