When I first saw Noman, I said to myself, “His hair is so beautiful.”
Noman and Salim had come to us carrying a large spiral seashell, hoping to sell it.
You could not help talking to them.
You could not help being kind to them.
You could not help hugging them and playing with them.
Whenever you were eating, you had to take a bite of your food and give it to them.
They were truly warm and friendly… Their faces and skin had been burned by the hot sun. The sand of the beach had made the soles of their feet rough and polished, and for them, wearing slippers was a luxury.
I offered one of them something to eat. He said, “Uncle, I’m studying. Give me money so I can continue my education.”
The south is beautiful, but it is also full of sadness. It does not have just one or two sorrows…
From the Lonely Palm in Darak that was cut down simply because people danced beneath it…
To Chabahar, where if you ask the children what they want to become when they grow up, no job comes to their minds except carrying fuel across the border…
To the families living in “kapar” huts in Jask, who, after a scorpion sting, have to carry their child on their shoulders from early morning until noon just to reach the city and take them to a clinic…
To the Grandmothers’ Bazaar, where poverty is visible to the naked eye…
To Minab School, which was torn apart…
To the fisherman who now catches oil instead of fish…
To the military base that soldiers burned in the fire, and…
We owe so much to the south of Iran.
English translation of video:
Amir (man): How are you?
Noman (boy): I’m good… Who are you?
Amir: Me? I’m Amir Mohammad… Who are you?
Noman: Me… Kuchooloo (it means “Tiny”).
Amir: Are you Kuchooloo?! What’s Kuchooloo’s name?
Noman: Noman Kuchooloo (Tiny Noman).
Amir: Noman?
Noman: Tiny Noman… take me there and put me down
Amir: Yes… I’ll take you there and put you down.
Noman: At the restroom door.
Amir: Okay, at the restroom… Okay, let’s go. Where are we?
Noman: WC… Ah No.. here?…It’s Darak.
Amir: Okay, let me put you down… Oh, look at himmmm!
(The video cuts back to Salim, who is dancing.)
Amir: Bravo, Salim! Bravo!