Partnershipthe official newsletter of Islamic Relief Winter 2009
Afghanistan Years of conflict, poverty and addiction have left millions of Afghans in desperate need of support to survive
Udhiyah/qurbani The blessed days of Eid are quickly approaching; Over 2 million people helped worldwide last year Winter 2009 1 COVER Afghanistan: In Struggle and Optimism
4 Afghanistan: Striving to Rebuild and Restart Islamic Relief’s projects help more than 500,000 across Afghanistan over the last three years.
6 Afghanistan: In Focus Photo spread from Afghanistan field visit.
8 A Generation of Hope and Optimism Islamic Relief’s development program trains Afghan widows and orphans for the future.
2 Partnership Feature Partnership
the official newsletter of Islamic Relief
winter 2009
STAFF Melissa Barreto Zaid Hisham Laila Khan Mostafa Mahboob Homaira Shifa
Udhiyah/Qurbani: More Than Just Meat 15 CONTRIBUTORS Islamic Relief prepares for the upcoming Udhiyah/Qurbani Saadia Abdu Saara Ahmad season. Over 2 million people benefitted last year. Azhar Azeez Daud Mohmand Christina Tobias-Nahi
Departments Islamic Relief 6131 Orangethorpe Ave Suite 450 Field Updates Buena Park, CA 90620 Children of Mali Aim for the Stars 10 Education projects in Mali give children high hopes. (888) 479-4968 toll-free [email protected] www.irw.org Fasting with Dignity 12 Ramadan food distributions help disadvantaged Tax ID# 95-4453134 families in 23 countries worldwide.
Partnership, the official newsletter of Orphan Sponsorships Finish Strong 14 Islamic Relief, is published quarterly. Ramadan orphan drive sponsors over 1,200 children. Please contact us to request additional copies for distribution, Horn of Africa In Need 18 or, if you would like to reproduce, Food crisis threatens community security. or transmit any information in this newsletter by any means, electronic, photocopying, or otherwise. Events 20 Marking 15 Years of Alleviating Poverty Evening of Inspiration concert tour focuses on children.
News 21 Islamic Relief and HIV/AIDS South Asia Quake: 3 years on New Islamic Relief office in Virginia Islamic Relief joins InterAction Speaking out on poverty
Activities 22 Building a school
Winter 2009 3 4 Cover Partnership Striving toRebuild &Restart Afghanistan: Enduring three decadesofwarandconflict, Afghanistan anditspeopleare indesperate the country’s 31millionpeoplelive below need of continuous support. Over halfof need ofcontinuous support. population survives onlessthan $1aday.population survives the poverty line,and40percent ofthe isiting different IDP (internally education, water and sanitation, livelihoods Opposite: Khanum Gul and family. displaced people) camps, I saw just support, orphan sponsorship and building Below: Islamic Relief USA staff member Homaira Shifa with how much in need the many people community infrastructure. children at IDP camp in Kabul. Vliving in poverty are. Apart from providing immediate aid, Islamic “What’s a mother supposed to do when her Relief targets long-term development, child won’t go to sleep at night because helping people to lessen their dependency he’s crying of hunger?” said Khanum Gul, on foreign aid and acquire self-sufficiency. a mother of six living in an IDP camp in Kabul. “How can a mother bear not being With offices in Kabul, Kandahar and able to feed her child?” Mazar-e-Sharif, Islamic Relief operates hundreds of projects in all areas of When it reaches 65 degrees Farenheit in Afghanistan, assisting more than half a California, I complain about the cold. Since million people in the past three years alone. returning from Afghanistan, I now think about the thousands of people living in From emergency aid to seasonal Ramadan camps, in minus 9.4 degrees Fahrenheit, food distributions, from a women’s without even a simple blanket to protect bakery in Kandahar and Helmand to a them from the cold. Thousands of men, health clinic in Paghman, Islamic Relief women, children, youth, and elderly die is expanding its efforts in supporting the every winter. disadvantaged people in Afghanistan.
Visiting Afghanistan opened my eyes to the severe conditions people are living in, espe- cially in Shortepa, in Northern Afghanistan where a growing number of people are ad- dicted to opium; it’s their only means for controlling and relieving pain. This has led to a massive culture of dependency.
Many of those dependent on opium in Shortepa are women who use the drug to relieve pain caused by working for many hours on heavy weaving looms.
While in Shortepa, I met a 39-year-old mother of eight. Just six months before, she gave birth to twins and has been very ill ever since. She had been weaving rugs all her life, including during her pregnancy. She took opium to relieve her back and stomach pain.
Now she doesn’t have the energy to get up. Her husband can’t afford to take care of her anymore so she lives with her mother and the twin baby boys. When the boys Afghanistan: An Overview cry for milk, she doesn’t have the energy to nurse them, so she gives them opium to 90% of the 1.5 million widows in Afghanistan are illiterate keep them quiet. 70% of the Afghan population is malnourished Islamic Relief has opened a Drug Reha- bilitation and Health Center to help build 54% of children are stunted in growth awareness on the harmful effects of opium. 40% of Afghanistan’s population lives on less than $1 a day Islamic Relief in Afghanistan 25% of children die before reaching their fifth birthday Islamic Relief has been working in Afghanistan since 1992, implementing 72% of people over the age of 15 cannot read or write projects such as drought relief, health and
Winter 2009 5 6 Cover patient and her child at the Drug Rehabilitation Center in Shortepa; Students at Abduljan SchoolSecondary in Paghman. Paghman School; Young girls living in IDP camp in Qargha; Family working on weaving loom in Shortepa; A indoctor checks a established well; ofA Islamicbeneficiary Relief’s meat distributions in Kabul; Families receive canned meat from Islamic Relief; Clockwise from top Patients left: at the Shortepa Drug Rehabilitation Clinic; Children retrieve water from an Islamic Relief- Partnership visit toAfghanistan ’s recent field IslamicRelief from Photos In Focus Afghanistan: Afghanistan: In Focus
Winter 2009 7 8 Cover Partnership Islamic Relief staff member Homaira Shifa reports on Kabul Shifa on reports Islamic ReliefstaffmemberHomaira Center Training Hope andOptimism A Generationof girls, whentheworstof herworriesshouldhave been playingorsingingwiththeneighborhood The recurring thoughtkeptcrossing mymind the tenderageof16,whenZahra shouldhave been gettingbadgrades inschool,thedeath while sittinginZahra’s one-room house.At of herparents robbed herofchildhood. Wow, I could have easily been in her situation. field updates 9 Winter 2009 Winter saddened me because of their plight, the makes me of hope in their eyes sparkle showed me how to write.” how me showed about her future. attending the development center for a year year a for center development the attending sets. skill invaluable gained has and better future. But I still cannot help but But better future. think that it could easily have been me in think that it could easily have happy to think they have a chance at a happy to think they have how to hold a pencil,” said Amina. “The to hold a pencil,” how teacher physically held my hand and decided to move to the US after the Soviet to the US after the Soviet decided to move of widows and orphans in Afghanistan. of widows my younger siblings had my parents not siblings had my parents my younger invasion in 1979. invasion writing skills and is extremely optimistic writing skills and is extremely Eighteen-year-old Amina has been has Amina Eighteen-year-old Zahra’s shoes tending and providing for shoes tending and providing Zahra’s Although talking to Amina and Zahra Although talking to Amina and Zahra Amina now knows basic reading and basic reading knows Amina now “When I first started, I didn’t even know know even “When I first started, I didn’t - - seem like basic skills for many, the ability to seem like basic skills for many, and conflict for nearly three decades, and conflict for nearly three able to read and write. is It generally difficult and orphans, guaranteeing them a job upon ghanistan, almost 90 percent them of un widows for get to a good in job Afghanistan, forcing them beg to the on streets. be dependent on aid for survival. for aid on dependent be her family’s daily meal. her family’s these widows acquire self-sufficiency and not and self-sufficiency acquire widows these computer and literacy training to widows computer and literacy training to widows What may completion of the curriculum. month, which equals approximately $14; month, which equals approximately international support start to rebuilding. read and write is a privilege for thousands read Islamic Relief’s development center helps center development Relief’s Islamic More than 1.5 million thanMore widows 1.5 live in Af Zahra uses that money to buy tea and bread, uses that money to buy tea and bread, Zahra A country war that has been enduring Afghanistan is in desperate need of The program teaches English and provides English and provides teaches The program sheacquires will help her find suitable and he ended up dying; leaving us all alone. But thanks to Islamic Relief, there is andis positive the skills and learning tears. “We didn’t have moneytears. for didn’t “We treatment hope for us now.” thetraining center for five months now her three younger, orphaned siblings. orphaned younger, her three to each orphan. Living on 700 Afghani’s a to each orphan. Living on 700 Afghani’s employment so she can support her her support can she so employment children in Afghanistan. children is one of the over two million orphaned is one of the over years saidold,” Zahra as she wipes her She now plays both mother and father to now She younger siblings. younger Living off of bread and tea everyday, Zahra and tea everyday, Living off of bread Islamic Relief provides a monthly income provides Relief Islamic Kabul Integrated Development Center for for Center Development Integrated Kabul Opposite: Islamic Relief staff member Homaira Shifa speaks with Zahra. Below: Kabul Integrated Family Development Center. Zahra, a beneficiary of Islamic Relief’s Islamic of beneficiary a Zahra, Widows and Orphans has been attending attending been has Orphans and Widows “My “My father died of cancer when I was 15 10 field updates “When Igrow“When upI’ll bethepresident of worker,” pitchesinsixteen-year-old Siaka Kone, beamingwithpride. Mali,” saysten-year-old Mostafa Traoure, Islamic Relief’s education projectsgiveIslamic Relief’s children highhopes Partnership full ofinnocence.“And Iwillbeasocial Aim Children eyes brimmingwithdreams andasmile for the of M St 22 countries.Through the orphansponsorshipprogram, Dreams. Hopes. Aims.Aspirations.Orphans. Allthese Relief, Mostafa, Siaka, Koniba, Mariam andhundreds of Kamara doesn’t missadayofschoolbecauseshewantsto Koniba Diallo isonlyseven-year-old butaspires towork Islamic Relief aimstoprovide basicnecessitiestoorphans, Islamic Relief sponsors more than27,000orphansacross work hard ina“government to becomeasecretary office.” in anofficewhenhe grows up, while11-year-old Mariam other Malian children have achancetogaineducationand live alifeofdignityonceagain.Being orphansat young themselves, andinmostcasesfortheirfamilies aswell. thing thatiscommonIslamic Relief. Because ofIslamic ages, thesechildren andmanymore are lefttotendfor are commonfactorswiththechildren above. One other Education for ars ali
All field updates 11 Winter 2009 Winter Far left:Far year 10 old orphan Mostafa Traoure. Left: Islamic Relief USA staff member Belkacem Nahi poses with orphans enrolled in the Education for All Project in Mali. ali M n in supports school feeding programs where children are fed a are children supports where programs school feeding ef Relief Islamic building the capacity of school management committees to hygienic and sanitary behavior and practices. providing services that based initiatives in community providing provide a steady source of income. a steady source provide community teachers in teaching methodologies and improve the livelihoods of poor communities through of poor communities through the livelihoods improve Relief yield. Islamic agricultural and diversifying increasing of promotion is also striving to fight blindness through nutritionally balanced meal. Islamic Relief has been working in Mali since 1997 in Mali been working has Relief Islamic Relief, with the support of the World Food Program, also Program, Food World with the support of the Relief, To ensure children receive adequate nutrition Islamic adequate nutrition Islamic receive children ensure To ali M stepmother in the village of Ouelessobougou. Through Through stepmother in the village of Ouelessobougou. e of of Future and development of her country. of her country. and development a chance to attain an education. getting educated and contributing positively to the progress to the progress getting educated and contributing positively has a hope of going to school. The sponsorship fund also total population of 12 million, four-year-old Niagale Niagale total population of 12 million, four-year-old of school facilities for nomad settlements, training contributes to her family’s day-to-day expenses. contributes to her family’s improve their health and nutrition, and provide them with their health and nutrition, and provide improve Niagale lost both her parents and now lives with her lives and now lost both her parents Niagale Islamic Relief also supports local schools through provision supports also provision local schools through Relief Islamic Islamic Relief’s orphan sponsorship program, little Niagale Relief’s little Niagale Islamic orphan sponsorship program, In a country rate is only 46.4% of the the literacy In where Bagayogo is one of the very lucky few Bagayogo who has a chance of 12 field updates in the Ramadan Food Package. Food Ramadan the in Relief Islamic by included oil cooking up holds son Baid’s Abu Amena Egypt; in distributions Relief’s Islamic during Package Food aRamadan receives girl Ayoung 2008; in distributions Ramadan Relief’s Islamic of beneficiary Baid, Abu Amena top: from Clockwise helpedtheneedy distributions Ramadan How IslamicRelief’s Partnership Fasting with Dignity field updates 13 Winter 2009 Winter support. ide rldw wo needy the Feeding an average day fares her less than $2. day fares an average and canned meat throughout the month of Ramadan. the month of and canned meat throughout family, it costs $11,” says Amena. With the help of Islamic the help of Islamic With Amena. says it costs $11,” family, feedings were only held on one weekend during the entire during the entire only held on one weekend feedings were families on all four weekends of the blessed month.Through of the blessed month.Through families on all four weekends three years. Under this program, disadvantaged families disadvantaged this program, Under years. three husband is ill and unemployed. She finds odd jobs to keep She husband is ill and unemployed. and put food on the table but of income coming the flow whole one meal for the provide To for us. too expensive a heartyhave nutritious meal consisting of staples such as the basic nutritional to provide designed they are to region, development and relief other with conjunction in operate to the “Day of Dignity” project, beneficiaries were servedwere in beneficiaries project, of Dignity” the “Day programs that provide a more sustainable assistance in sustainable a more that provide programs the prayers of people like Mama Abdia who is over a 100 100 a over is who Abdia Mama like people of prayers the abundance.” in you blesses and fasting your accepts Allah that partners that Islamic Relief is able to provide food for those for food provide to able is Relief Islamic that partners ensuring that their burden is eased during the month. ensuring that their burden for homeless people throughout out feeding events other supplies and services, to homeless and disadvantaged with also is It Ramadan. of month holy the in fortunate less many disadvantaged people around the world facing food the world facing people around many disadvantaged food, along with provided Relief 2008, Islamic month. In necessities to help families survive. is designed The program living conditions for beneficiaries. improving insecurity and hunger with a ‘Ramadan Food Packet,’ Packet,’ insecurity and hunger with a ‘Ramadan Food receive financial, educational, health and nutritional financial, receive were provided to disadvantaged families in 23 countries. 23 in families disadvantaged to provided were reward you for all the food you have given us. I am praying am I us. given have you food the all for you reward flour, sugar, cooking oil, dates, rice, lentil, beans, macaroni, dates, rice, lentil, beans, macaroni, cooking oil, sugar, flour, years old, of Yabicho, Kenya when she says, “May Allah “May says, she when Kenya Yabicho, of old, years Islamic Relief’s Family Sponsorship program for the past program Sponsorship Relief’sIslamic Family In 2007 alone, more than $2.6 million worth of food packets food of worth million $2.6 than more alone, 2007 In Islamic Relief’s seasonal Ramadan program provides for Relief’sprovides Islamic seasonal Ramadan program Relief’s Ramadan drive, Amena and her family were able to Relief’s her family were Amena and Ramadan drive, Ramadan across the U.S. In previous years, Ramadan years, previous the U.S. In Ramadan across It is because of the generous support of our donors and and donors our of support generous the of because is It Domestically, Islamic Relief has been successfully carrying Relief Islamic Domestically, Amena and her family of 14 have been beneficiaries of been beneficiaries her family of 14 have Amena and Amena is the sole provider for her large family since her Amena is the sole provider Though the contents of the food packets varyregion Though the contents of the food packets from 18 U.S. cities. “We eat chicken once a month. My children love it but it’s it but it’s love children once a month. My eat chicken “We since my family was sponsored by Islamic Islamic by sponsored was family my since says 49-year-old Amena Abu Baid, a Baid, Abu Amena 49-year-old says comes to us to help, we don’t beg them but but them beg don’t we help, to us to comes Relief, we have received help both for for both help received have we Relief, Relief Islamic Qurbani. Ramadan and Palestinian mother of 13 children. “Ever “Ever children. 13 of mother Palestinian we thank them.” we “Islamic Relief assists us to live in dignity,” in dignity,” to live assists us Relief “Islamic 14 field updates D Working with over 100studentorganizationsand Associations (MSA),Islamic schools,youth groups, and Ramadan Orphan SponsorshipDriveHelps1,250around Orphan theworld.Ramadan Partnership Donor andsponsorofthree orphansthrough Islamic Relief, Mohsin Zafsar saidaboutthedrive, “Despite currently job Many students raised funds for the orphan drive by by drive orphan the for funds raised students Many I planonsponsoringmore orphansas soonasIgetasteady Sunday gave schools,generous over supporters $500,000 volunteers nationwideincludingMuslim Student income again.” initiating fast-a-thon dinners on their campuses. MSA MSA campuses. their on dinners fast-a-thon initiating Finish Orphan members asked non-Muslims tofastforaday and donate their lunch money to help the orphan drive. drive. orphan the help to money lunch their donate to IslamicRamadan2008orphandrive, enabling Relief’s hunting andnotwithstandingtheeconomicconditions,I am aproud, committedsponsor. Insha’Allah (God Willing) F sponsorships forover 1,250orphansaround theworld. asting for ‘Give aPortion, Save anOrphan.’ espite theeconomiccrisisathand,studentsaround the country collaboratedwithIslamicthe country Relief to a cause ept crety o hunting job currently Despite ru, omte sponsor. committed proud, cnmc odtos I m a am I conditions, economic n ntihtnig the notwithstanding and Str Sponsorships ong 10 daysofRamadan. The 2008Ramadan Orphan Drive signaledthetemporary At local mosques, students waited outside at tables after after tables at outside waited students mosques, local At Donors currently enrolled intheOne-to-One Sponsorship Islamic Relief would like to thank each and every volunteer, Islamic One-to-One orphansponsorshipprogram. Relief’s Local businesses were then asked to donate money to to money donate to asked then were businesses Local receive reports ofhow theirorphansare doing. match eachdaynon-Muslims fasted,thusdoublingthe economic situation nationwide. May Allah reward your efforts. orphan drive for their hard work and dedication to reach out orphansponsorshipsthroughdiscontinuation ofanynew even stayed latethrough thenightprayers duringthelast to others encourage to prayers daily five the of each donations tothedrive. program will still be abletocontinuetheirsponsorships and to donors despite sponsorship price increases and the current Discontinung new supporter, donor and partner who assisted during this year’s sponsor anorphanforlessthan$2day. Many students One-to-Ones field updates 15 Winter 2009 Winter Sri Lankan beneficiaries receive Udhiyah meat. ni: Meat a attending births. Even her children have stopped going for many months,” said Amina. for many months,” begging is not enough to sustain a family of seven, so to school to help their mother by working as laborers. to beg for food at a nearby shrine to survive. But equivalent equivalent to about $30. might support her family such as washing carpets and with food for two months. Life now is very difficult for Amina as she is forced Bibi Amina is extremely grateful to Islamic Relief for the for the Relief grateful to Islamic Amina is extremely Bibi Udhiyah/Qurbani food package, which provided the family food package, which provided Udhiyah/Qurbani Amina struggles frequently to find any odd job that The family earns around 1,500 Afghanis per month, “I had forgotten the taste of meat because I had not had any rb Just Qu h/ a way than
les A any Mi
eal M slamic Relief started the Udhiyah/Qurbani project in project started the Udhiyah/Qurbani slamic Relief project has been increasing in size, with over 71,000 with over in size, has been increasing project 1986 with 670 Udhiyah/Qurbanis. Since then, the Since 1986 with 670 Udhiyah/Qurbanis.
several surgeries. Her son was killed and the family’s home son was killed and the family’s surgeries. Her several and five children in Kandahar, Afghanistan. She is a Afghanistan. in Kandahar, children and five beneficiary of Islamic Relief’s Udhiyah/Qurbani projects. Relief’sUdhiyah/Qurbani beneficiaryIslamic of people in 27 countries around the world. people in 27 countries around destroyed. They now live in a single-room mud house. in a single-room live They now destroyed.
More Udhiy istan and as a result is now paralyzed, despite undergoing despite paralyzed, is now istan and as a result Qurbanis performed last year, benefitting over 2.1 million over benefitting performedQurbanis last year, Fifty-year-old Bibi Amina lives with her disabled husband Amina lives Bibi Fifty-year-old Generous donors supportGenerous meat donations than 2 million people with seasonal more A M
Amina’s husband was injured during the conflict in Afghan- husband was injured Amina’s I 16 field updates Almighty God to show his devotion and commitment. As inprevious Udhiyah/Qurbani projects, lastyear Islamic Partnership Udhiyah/Qurbani is an Islamic religious practice performed Relief ensures thatthesacrificeiscarriedouthygienically Relief delivered theUdhiyah/Qurbani meatthrough three Islamic seasonalprojects duringthesetimesnot Relief’s Once the Udhiyah/Qurbani donationisreceived, Islamic month of Dhul al-Hijjah) involving the sacrifice of an animal, usually a sheep, goat or cow. This holiday commemorates the disadvantaged familiesandindividualsaround theworld. only fulfilltheobligationofdonorsbutalsosupport distributes ittosomeoftheworld’s poorest people. icIslam Relief and and efficientlyaccording to Islamicguidelines,andthen at the time of Eid al-Adha (the 10th day of the Islamic sacrifice that Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) made to Udhi yah/Qurbani To seealistofcountrieswhere Islamic Relief isperforming of canned meat in New Zealand. New in meat canned of Preparation distribution; Qurbani Mali Kashmir; Pakistan-administered in distribution Qurbani Ethiopia; in animals with staff Relief Islamic Bangladesh; in distribution Qurbani of abeneficiary Alom, Sultan left: Clockwise Udhihyah/Qurbani thisyear, visitourwebsite atwww.irw.org. cost, availability oflivestock, logisticsandthecurrent dependsonseveral factorsincluding chosen foracountry distribution, orfrozen meatdistribution.Themethod different methods:fresh meatdistribution,canned situation ofthatcountry. field updates 17 Winter 2009 Winter 18 field updates worsening worldfood insecurity. Rising foodandfuelprices, violentprotests andriotsare allcallingforanimmediate response to Global food threatens security crisis community Partnership Horn of Africa in Need field updates 19 Winter 2009 Winter Opposite: farmer A in Mandera, Kenya keeps his fields irrigated with assistance from Islamic Relief. Below: Mohamad Hussein, a Community Animal Health Worker trained by Islamic Relief,cares for livestock in Afder, Ethiopia. ommunities C supplementary food and livestock recovery in Chareti and in Chareti supplementary recovery food and livestock shortages and lack of pasture have caused many animals to have shortages and lack of pasture ng Helping as they continue to respond to emergency needs for water, to emergency needs for water, as they continue to respond and people with training, seeds providing activities. By for income. and sell at local markets their own giving people the means to grow able to cope. By animals and with the cost of other food products rising, animals and with the cost of other food products food, we are reducing dependency on humanitarian aid and reducing are food, we giving people long-term solutions,” said Abdella. said Abdella. giving people long-term solutions,” tools, and by installing pumps to irrigate farmland, Islamic installing pumps to irrigate farmland, Islamic tools, and by are droughts recurrent this region In this project. predictable but communities are not prepared so as to be so not prepared but communities are predictable drought-affected communities engage in agricultural drought-affected die, while others are in poor health,” said Islamic Relief’s said Islamic in poor health,” die, while others are malnutrition has also soared.” who rely on their animals for survival. the water who rely But their Without which makes up a large part of their diet. So far, the Somali Region of Ethiopia has been the focus of of Ethiopia Region the Somali far, So Islamic Relief first responded to the global food crisis in first Relief Islamic Relief’s efforts. Islamic response than 78,000 people assisting more are teams Relief Islamic is helping Relief Islamic district of Kenya, the Mandera In Hargelle in the Somali region of Ethiopia. of Ethiopia. region in the Somali Hargelle to feed their families crops is helping families grow Relief Head of Mission in Kenya, Yesuf Abdella. Yesuf in Kenya, of Mission Head June of this year, operating in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. and Somalia. Kenya operating in Ethiopia, of this year, June “Islamic Relief is doing something unique by implementing doing something unique by is Relief “Islamic “Around 80 percent of people in Mandera are pastoralists pastoralists are of people in Mandera percent 80 “Around on their animals for meat and milk rely “Pastoralists oals Goals Africa n of of Horn evelopment Development rds ackwa n the the in B
urrently, around 36 countries are said to be said to 36 countries are around urrently, While starvation. in widespread ultimately result inching closer and closer to a food crisis that could inching closer and closer
Hunger are facing severe hunger, destitution and are in dire need for in dire destitution and are hunger, facing severe are food prices compounds this by making consumables more making consumables more food prices compounds this by food prices, up to 17 million people in the Horn of Africa food prices, up to 17 million people in the Horn fuels, and an increase in demand in emerging economies. fuels, and an increase by 83 percent in the last three years. This has pushed up to years. in the last three 83 percent by billion people struggling to survive. ng ing Mov um Millennium has been exacerbated by conflict. The escalation of global has been exacerbated by humanitarian assistance. humanitarian crisis. poorest countries. It kills around 10 million people each around kills It countries. poorest poorest are left to suffer the brunt of this crisis. are poorest particularly hard because it follows several years of particularly vulnerable to widespread malnutrition as particularlyto widespread vulnerable power is steadily decreasing for the poorest households. for the poorest decreasing is steadily power experts estimate a decade before prices drop, the world’s the world’s drop, prices experts estimate a decade before drought drought and poor harvests. expensive in areas of East Africa that are highly dependant are of East Africa that in areas expensive on food imports. drought has reached exceptional levels and food security levels exceptional has reached drought deteriorate. Further compounded by failed harvests, compounded by falling deteriorate. Further countries, higher fuel costs, more land being used for bio- countries, higher fuel costs, more made to meet the Millennium Development Goals. Goals. Development made to meet the Millennium including poor weather conditions in key food-producing conditions in key food-producing including poor weather wages for laborers and low livestock prices, the purchasing the purchasing prices, livestock and low wages for laborers year – more than AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined. and malaria combined. AIDS, tuberculosis than – more year Hunger is already a leading cause of death in the world’s of death in the world’s a leading cause is already Hunger Due to drought and the increasing cost in global fuel and and the increasing to drought Due
Ethiopia, Somalia and parts of Northern Kenya are are Kenya and parts of Northern Somalia Ethiopia, C (WFP), the current food crisis has already left nearly 1 (WFP), food crisis has already the current According to the United Nations’ World Food Program Program Food World Nations’ to the United According Without significant changes, the world faces a global Without The current crisis has hit pastoralist communities The price of staple foods continues to rise as supplies The World Bank estimates that global food prices have risen risen Bank estimates that global food prices have World The The rise in food prices is the result of a number of factors The rise in food prices is the 100 million people back into poverty, erasing the progress erasing the progress 100 million people back into poverty, 20 Events I 1993, Islamic Relief has grown to raise raise to grown has Relief Islamic 1993, This year Islamic Relief marked 15 years years 15 marked Relief Islamic year This 3rd focuses AnnualEvening ofInspiration onchildren Partnership More than $2 million have been raised Starting hundred withafew dollarsin in the past three years, helping support butanationwideappealto in aconcert, more than $60 million of aid in 2007 for for 2007 in aid of million $60 than more Alle 15 MArking countless numbers of children worldwide of alleviating poverty around the world. world. the around poverty alleviating of orphan sponsorships, and much more. through education, provision of water and humanitarian crisesaround theworld. help themillionsofchildren affected by and nutrition, shelter, psychosocial support, sanitation, emergency relief, healthcare, food seven8six, andcomedianBaba Alinotjust songs) singerZain Bhikha, R&Bsensation Evening ofInspiration tourfeatured world-renowned nasheed(Islamic n its3rd year intheUnited States, the via ting Poverty “Islamic Relief isdoingamazingwork all “We (seven8six) have a deep history with with history deep a have “We(seven8six) AIDS, manyparents dieyoung andleave Africa hasthehighestrateofHIV/AIDSin Islamic Relief,” said Quraishi. “It dates “Itdates Relief,” Quraishi. Islamic said South Africaandmostofyou know South Shahaab Quraishi ofseven8six expressed his now operates projects in more than 35 35 than more in projects operates now countries worldwide. children asorphansandit’s forthisreason over theworld,includingmycountry events throughout ourcommunities. Since deep regard forIslamiceffort. Relief’s projects around the world. Islamic Relief Relief Islamic world. the around projects the world,” saidBhikha. “Because ofHIV/ that Islamic Relief specificallyfocuseson back to our youth when we were volunteers volunteers were we when youth our to back for Islamic Relief, helping with various various with helping Relief, Islamic for alleviating theconditionsoforphans.” Y e a rs rs o f f The tour was held in Dallas, TX; Jamaica, TX; Jamaica, Dallas,in held was tour The Evening of Inspiration line-up and we pray pray we and line-up Inspiration of Evening Baba Ali, the popular comedian for for comedian popular the Ali, Baba Inspiration tour was not just about the the about just not was tour Inspiration NY; San Jose, CA; and Orange County, Orange and NY;Jose,CA; San CA. Because of the tremendous support of of support tremendous the of Because CA. was ourthird ofthe timeofbeingapart need, and I was fortunate enough to be be to enough fortunate was I and need, in children the helping about importantly dollars were raised for children in need need in children for raised were dollars million a half over donors, generous our This does. Relief Islamic that work the of part of the specialtour.”part throughout theworld. of year’s “The Evening this said, tour importance the understood have we then, for manymore!” artists and performances, but more more but performances, and artists Ali entertains the crowd in San Jose. San in crowd the entertains Ali Baba Comedian event; County Orange the during performs seven8six CA; Jose, San in Inspiration of Evening Relief’s Islamic during performs Bhikha Zain left: from Clockwise Islamic Relief and HIV/AIDS Islamic Relief Speaks on 3 Year Commemoration of Poverty at Capitol Hill South Asia Earthquake December 1 is World AIDS Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS Islamic Relief was invited to speak to close On October 8, 2005 a devastating epidemic caused by the spread of the HIV out a week of events entitled “Fighting earthquake of 7.6 magnitude rattled parts infection. The United Nations currently Poverty with Faith: A Week of Action.” of Northern Pakistan and Kashmir, killing estimates over 39.5 million people living Different organizations and interfaith over 73,000 people and leaving 3.3 million with HIV in the world today. This number leaders, along with Congressman John homeless. Islamic Relief was one of the first includes around 2.3 million children under Sarbanes of Maryland and Senator Barbara relief agencies to respond to the calamity the age of 15. Boxer of California gave remarks on the with emergency aid and services for over steps of the U.S. Capitol on domestic 260,000 survivors. Islamic Relief implements various HIV/ poverty on September 16. AIDS projects by integrating it into the Three years later, Islamic Relief is still program objectives and activities. This week of action was to bring attention committed to helping the earthquake to the needs of the nation’s poor and urge survivors by rebuilding homes and lives. Islamic Relief offers free HIV testing, candidates for elected office to outline what After the success of its emergency and medical care and support to orphans in they would do in their first 100 days in recovery phase, Islamic Relief moved on to Mali. While in Bangladesh, a peer educator office to develop comprehensive plans for long term reconstruction and development program that teaches young girls about reducing poverty and creating economic in four districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. various health issues including HIV/AIDS. opportunities in the United States. “Reconstruction in the affected areas is well Islamic Relief provides education and underway. Working with partners, Islamic information about HIV/AIDS in its Islamic Relief Granted Relief is helping over 73,100 people move health programs in Sudan and Indonesia. Membership to InterAction into their new earthquake resistant homes. In South Africa, Islamic Relief supports We are also continuing to assist people with children orphaned by AIDS. Due to the On September 9, Islamic Relief USA was access to healthcare, education and clean program’s growth, there is a community unanimously voted in as a new member water by re-building clinics, schools and care center being developed to provide of InterAction, the largest coalition water schemes,” says Islamic Relief’s country preventative education and medical of U.S.-based international NGOs director for Pakistan, Munier Mohammad. treatment for HIV/AIDS. (non-governmental organizations) focused on the world’s poor and vulnerable people.
Islamic Relief Opens Over the past two years, Islamic Relief has New Office in Virginia participated in a variety of InterAction’s events and select working groups. Now a Islamic Relief is pleased to announce full-fledged member, Islamic Relief USA its new home in Old Town Alexandria, can look forward to many benefits that Northern Virginia, just minutes from will help in our mission of aiding the Reagan National Airport and the world’s most vulnerable people in working nation’s capitol. The new permanent together with our peer organizations and in facility has two spacious floors and a helping to shape recommendations for the large warehouse for keeping supplies incoming Administration. for domestic emergencies as well as for holding community events. The staff held a pre-open house in the last week of Ramadan and invited partners from the greater Washington DC area.
Winter 2009 21 Empowering Youth Through Action Where we invite you to come up with innovative solutions to the problems that confront us.
What is a school? A common definition is “a building where young people receive education”. Close your eyes for a moment and think of all the things you take for granted at your school:
A roof over your head to protect you from the weather elements: • A blackboard or whiteboard for instruction • Books on various subjects • Notebooks • Writing supplies (pencils, calligraphy brushes, etc) • Possibly a computer • Hot lunch • Clean drinking water • Bathrooms • Backpack to carry your materials home
In many countries pupils have very few, if any of these luxuries we consider essentials. A stick in the dirt might suffice for writing. A few grains of rice provided by a school feeding program may be the only meal of the day. There may be no electricity at home for completing homework.
Do this Activity: (It can be done in a full-time or weekend school, but for best results should take place over a series of days).
Split the class in two groups. Group A comes to school as normal, prepared and organized and Group B brings NOTHING to school. No school supplies, no back pack, no lunch, no books, nothing.
Now, it is the job of Group A to welcome and provide for their classmates - sharing lunches, books and supplies. Each student should write an expressive journal discussing their feelings about how they perceived being treated.
Was this a good experience? What take-home lessons were learned?
Karen Ande/photographersdirect.com
22 Partnership When building a school there are many factors to take into consideration:
• There are different landforms and terrains. • There are country-specific weather conditions. • There are variations in building materials available locally – mud, thatch, wood, etc.
A study must be made if the area is prone to any natural hazards or disasters like fires, flooding, landslides, earthquakes, to name a few and the structures must be built with those designs in mind. Think how you could adapt your design.
Avoid glass windows in a hurricane zone – why? Build on elevated stilts in a flooding zone – why?
Engineers must construct buildings durable enough to survive catastrophes like earthquakes. Think about how the following factors contribute to the durability of a structure.
• Distribution of weight • Variation in shape • Variation in height • Variation in foundation material
Try building a structure on a piece of cardboard and then shifting it back and forth? Did it withstand the movement? Fall partially? Collapse fully?
To explore this concept further, go to the web for projects. One idea is to do research or a structural analysis of the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey. This is one of the largest freestanding domed structures on Earth and has survived all magnitudes of earthquakes for nearly 1,500 years. Why? How did it resist?
Winter 2009 23 Islamic Relief considers the trust of its donors to be priceless and as a result, Islamic Relief holds itself to the highest of standards. For the fifth consecutive year, Islamic Relief has been awarded a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s premier charity evaluator.
“Only 3% of the charities we’ve rated have received at least 5 consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Islamic Relief outperforms most charities in America in its efforts to operate in the most fiscally responsible way possible.” - Charity Navigator, April 30, 2008
Islamic Relief will always remain committed to using the hard earned donations of our supporters to help those less fortunate in the most efficient way possible.
Islamic Relief A Worldwide Leader in Alleviating Poverty
PO Box 5640, Buena Park, CA 90622 | www.irw.org | Tax ID# 95-4453134
For four years in a row, Islamic Relief USA has been recognized as a 4-star charity by Charity Navigator, its highest rating. Of the 5,131 charities evaluated by Charity Navigator, only 4% have received this prestigious distinction.
24 Partnership