In the heart of Nangarhar province in eastern Afghanistan, more than a thousand families have long been trapped in a wishes cycle of poverty and forced labor at local brick kilns. Under the scorching summer sun and through freezing winters, men, women, and children—some as young as four—have worked 10 to 12 hours a day for meager wages, often earning less than $5 for producing 1,000 bricks. The kiln owners, often influential figures or warlords, lend small amounts of money to desperate villagers, who are then bound to repay their debts through hard labor. The loans, however, grow faster than the wages can cover, creating a cycle of inherited debt that turns entire families into modern-day bonded laborers. At the time the story was documented, makeshift schools had been established to provide basic education to hundreds of children working in the kilns. These efforts, while limited, offered a rare ray of hope in a setting defined by economic desperation and lack of opportunity. With Afghanistan facing persistently high unemployment, particularly in rural areas, many families have had no choice but to turn to kiln work, poppy farming, or, in some cases, extremist groups. For girls, the challenges are even greater—they often leave the kilns at puberty and remain confined to household labor, such as tailoring, with little chance of continuing education. The story of these families is a powerful reflection of how poverty, lack of infrastructure, and limited access to education continue to define life for many in rural Afghanistan.