Given your background of growing up on a farm and developing into an artist by creating art from the surrounding nature without formal academic guidance or expert advice, what served as your primary inspiration? It appears you’ve lived by the adage “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”
You know, I’ve always had this thing for seashells. Every day, I’d hit the beach and just collect them because, honestly, why not enjoy the treasures nature throws our way for free? So, I started turning these shells into art. It became kind of my thing.
But what really made me feel like an artist was when I started listening to what people thought about my work, especially tourists and those buying from me. Their feedback was like gold to me. I wanted to get better, you know? That’s what artists do—they have something to say and create. I guess I started thinking outside the box.
Then it hit me—I could turn this passion into a business. I became an entrepreneur, creating jobs for others and helping them learn and grow. Some of them were still in school, so I taught them the ropes after their classes and paid them for their work. It was a win-win—they earned some cash, learned something new, and had a purpose. I figured if we don’t give kids goals and something useful to do, they might end up aimless, maybe even getting into stuff like addiction. So, it became not just about art but also about creating opportunities and helping others along the way.
Did you wish you were born somewhere else?
You know, I never wished to be born anywhere else. I’m perfectly content right here. It’s like living in peace. Everyone knows each other, and between Baluch, there’s this trust that runs deep. If I ever need something or find myself stuck, there’s no worry. There are so many folks around who’d step up with kindness and help out. With Baluch people, It’s like having your own little support system right next door.
In ou region, It’s not like the kind of relationship you’d find just anywhere. We may not be rolling in riches, but we’ve got this amazing thing going on where we help and look out for each other. It’s a real sense of community. We’re safe and secure, and no one messes with anyone. It’s a good life, you know? I’m grateful to be surrounded by just that.
Could you tell us abut the challenges and difficulties faced in your region?
Living here has its challenges, you know? Poverty’s a big one, and the economy’s not great. Even getting clean water is a struggle—the tap water has this zinc thing going on, and it’s not the kind of thing you’d want to drink. A ton of people get sick from it, and we end up shuttling them to the hospital now and then.
Job opportunities are scarce. I tried to do something about it, started a business from scratch. Had this workshop going where I created jobs for young folks, paying them for their hard work. But not everyone’s got that chance. We need proper factories and industries to give people a shot at earning a living, but there’s just no infrastructure here.
People resort to oil trafficking on the border just to make ends meet. It’s not like they love doing it; it’s just survival, you know? Saw this car burned down not too long ago with three guys inside, carrying oil. It’s tough to witness all these struggles every day and not be able to do much about it.
Basic things we take for granted? Like public bathrooms? Nope, not here. Tourist infrastructure? None of that either, even though this place has some breathtaking attractions. There’s no shelter for visitors to take a break from the sun or just sit for a bit. It’s kinda bare bones around here.
Our education system isn’t in great shape either. Imagine having 40-50 students crammed into one classroom with just one teacher. Schools are a mess, and the kids are trying to study in the worst conditions—no facilities, no equipment.
And don’t even get me started on the flight tickets! It’s more expensive to fly from the capital, Tehran, to Chabahar than it is to go all the way to Turkey. Makes it tough for tourists to explore this area easily. It’s a struggle, but we’re making the best of it.
what is your biggest dream ?
You know, my big dream is to see everyone around here living comfortably. Imagine a dad wanting to get ice cream for his kids, and he doesn’t have to feel embarrassed or worry about affording it. I just wish for folks in this region to have a better shot at life.
We’ve got this awesome culture, and our nature is pretty giving, but I hope one day we can all just live in peace. It’s that simple—everyone having a good life without the stress and struggles. That’s the dream.
In considering ways to support you and your region, what specific assistance or favor would you find most impactful ?
If someone asks what favor I’d want, it’s simple—I’d wish for a boost in our community. You see, I dream of having factories and jobs, especially for the young ones around here. It’s tough seeing them without work, and some end up caught in the grip of addiction and drugs because they can’t see a better future.
It’s kind of unfair, you know? We’ve got everything we need in this place, but there’s no support or investment to help out the locals. What would make a real difference is some help in building things up, getting the groundwork done. We need job opportunities, maybe a few factories, and facilities for the folks here. It’s about creating a path for everyone to have a shot at a better life.
Thank you so much Ayoob for participating and informing us about your beautiful art and journey. I really appreciate it.
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