By: Alsou Kurlow
Source: MuslimVillage
Faiza is a 12-year-old girl living in Somalia. The second born in a family of six, she has spent her entire life in this part of the world, ravaged by war for the last two decades. Apart from the destruction, the war has deprived her of her parents prematurely and now she has to look after her four younger siblings. On a good day, they may be able to afford a meal for either lunch or dinner. And that would be due to the collective efforts of four sisters and two brothers. Literally, it is a life of hand-to-mouth. So desperate is the situation that they can’t even dream of education or decent housing. Their mud and brick home is all they inherited.
Her neighbours are equally in dire need of help. Many are old, maimed because of war, ill with no access to medical care, or are unable to farm or engage in meaningful business due to the effects of the war. They often can’t afford to send their children to school as they have to work to help support the family. Inadequate and unbalanced diets cause high mortality rates among children and the elderly. Some families can eat meat only a few times a year and usually only on special occasions.
But this story is not about Faiza and her siblings alone. There are millions of such needy cases in countries like Sudan, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Palestine, Nepal, Bangladesh, and many more! Many of our Muslim brothers and sisters from these regions have become refugees, with little or no access to formal or casual employment. Lack of education affects job prospects in the future leaving yet another generation to live in poverty and hunger.
While such cases are sad and distressing, there is still a ray of hope. In a few weeks’ time, Eid al-Adha will be here with us and we have an opportunity to put a smile on Faiza’s face. According to UNICEF, 66 million primary school-age children attend classes hungry across the developing world, with 23 million in Africa alone. We can all join hands to make sure that Faiza and others in similar situations, do not go without something to eat.
Is anyone doing something for the most vulnerable?
Yes, we can alleviate their suffering. With your generosity, Human Appeal International Australia has been able to provide meat to many disadvantaged people worldwide over the past 25 years. Last year, with your help, we were able to distribute over 42,000 quality Qurbans in 23 countries. For only $130 your Qurban will be purchased, sacrificed, shipped & distributed in the following countries: Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, Jordan, Egypt, Indonesia, Fiji & Vanuatu.
We will also perform the slaughtering of your Qurban locally in these destinations: Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, Pakistan, Kashmir, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Cambodia, Nepal and for displaced Syrian, Eritrean and Burmese refugees. The meat is distributed either fresh, hard- frozen or canned to make it more affordable and accessible for local people. We endeavour to get the healthiest of all available animals and in order to benefit the local economy, we always purchase meet from local suppliers. Each Qurban package contains about three kilograms of meat, which will provide a family with meals for about a week.
In 2016, we hope to reach 1.8 million people around the world with the meat of Qurban. We desire to do much more, but this massive and noble venture cannot be achieved alone.
What Can YOU do to help?
With your help, we can provide more Qurban to millions of needy people. Indeed, we are honoured to be a source of blessing to the most vulnerable! Seize the opportunity to send Qurban meat to someone you don’t know, someone you might never meet, and someone whose hope is now in your hands. Our commitment is to reach out to as many families as possible and to give them as many Qurbanis as your donation will help us achieve.
Let us make Eid-al-Adha a celebration with a difference this year by helping Faiza and others like her celebrate this important occasion with a smile on their faces. You can be part of this dream and help make it a reality. Human Appeal International Australia invites you to increase your rewards during this blessed occasion by donating your Qurban to the poor and bring happiness into their lives.
