I am collecting donations for poor families and orphans in Karbala. These will be used for healthcare costs, marriage, basic amenities/household appliances and general living costs.

PLEASE NOTE, any donations made after the funds have been transferred to Karbala will be used for the next appeal InshaAllah.

Background:

During my trip to Karbala in early 2011 for Ziyaarat al-Arbaeen I was fortunate enough to visit some poor families and orphans, giving me a small glimpse into the desperate living conditions that some people are faced with.

The visit was made possible by a group of volunteers who serve those in needs. These volunteers started their efforts in Ramadhan in 2009 in Karbala, Iraq. They help people in need, primarily the orphans and the poor. Initially they had 50 orphans, this number increased to 1100 orphans (as of Sept 2012). They provide them with basic amenities such as blankets, carpets, heaters, fans, fridges etc. on an ad-hoc basis as and when needed. They also help many poor families and individuals who are very often neglected as many charities just concentrate on orphans. In addition, they contribute towards healthcare costs and costs of marriage and rent. Furthermore, they distribute iftar during the holy month of Ramadhan.

Most of these people live in under-developed informal settlements which are essentially abandoned areas of land with poor supply of water, electricity and basic amenities. Most of these families are actually internal refugees having fled other areas of Iraq, such as the southern provinces, because of destruction or because of death of the husband/father, usually the sole bread-winner, hence being left orphaned, and they have come to Karbala, as it is regarded as a holy land. Many of these families are uneducated and even illiterate.

I was fortunate enough to visit some of these families. The first family I visited had 7 orphans, mostly girls and one young boy who had to leave school to desperately look for a job. The conditions these families were living in were horrific by any standard of human living, and yet their resolve is to be admired.

Since then, with the generosity of many people, and by the blessing of Allah, every year we have managed to raise funds for this project and help those in need. Initially we raised money once a year but now we run several appeals a year. Since 2011, the number of donors has increased significantly, which has meant more funds being raised and more people being helped.

May Allah reward all who contribute to this cause and every cause that helps humanity.