At just 9 years old, Wildan should be worrying about homework, playing with friends, and coming home to warm meals. Instead, he spends his days selling fried snacks on the streets—doing whatever he can to provide for his little brother, Alwi.

Their parents left to find work in early 2023, but they never came back. No calls, no letters, no money sent home. Just silence. Since then, Wildan and Alwi have been living with their aunt, who struggles to support them with her unstable income as a waste collector.

Some days, Wildan barely earns IDR 5,000 (SGD 0.43). On a good day, maybe IDR 10,000 (SGD 0.87). But even then, after paying the stall owner, there’s hardly anything left. He often skips meals just so Alwi can eat. If his aunt is busy, Wildan takes his little brother along while selling, though it breaks his heart. “I’m scared he’ll get sick,” he whispers.

Life keeps getting harder. Their rent is two months overdue—IDR 800,000 (SGD 69) is needed to cover it. Wildan also owes school fees for an entire semester. But despite everything, he never stops hoping. “Maybe one day, Mama and Papa will come back for us,” he says, holding back tears.

No child should have to carry this kind of pain. He deserves to go to school without worry, to have a safe place to sleep, to eat without thinking twice. But for now, all he can do is keep going, one step at a time.