Khaled

I met Khaled on Avenue Al-Mohamed VI, crouched up against a wall with a large folder of papers spread out in front of him. Among these papers were his diplomas from law school, his various forms of identification, and a number of letters and photographs. Khaled was blind and sang as people rushed past. Unlike many of the visionless beggars in Rabat, he was dressed in jeans and a dress shirt and covered his eyes with a pair of sunglasses. Khaled was beaten blind in 1985 by his father. First his injury was to his left eye (presumably nerve damage or retinal hemorrhaging) and then complications spread to his right eye. However, he was able to continue his schooling and he graduated from law school in 2000.

In 2009 Khaled paid a man to take him illegally to Spain where he could continue his education. Shortly after his graduation, he was confronted in the street by Spanish authorities and failed to present proper documentation, resulting in his arrest and deportation back to Morocco, where it was impossible to find work. He saved 800 dirham (approximately $100) to apply for a Visa to France but was denied on the basis that his bank account balance was too low.

As for the role of government and philanthropy in his life, Khaled acknowledges that charity associations exist for the purpose of helping the less fortunate but many of them are hopelessly corrupt. King Mohammed VI has made no specific statements regarding the disabled but can be solicited for assistance in person.

One of the letters Khaled showed me was a letter to the Wali, or Mayor, of the territory of Rabat that Khaled had written on his own behalf to help him find employment.