As Muslims globally prepare to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, a group of Muslim women in Stellenbosch have launched an initiative to provide impoverished children with new clothes and other essential items.
This is according to Kouthar Abrahams and Maryam Haiderzada, who initiated the project alongside Gallies of Stellies, a group of local Muslim women who seek to bring change to their community.
Eid al-Fitr is a celebratory day that signals the first of the new month after Ramadaan, explained Haiderzada. Although the initiative was started with Eid al-Fitr in mind, the group plans on continuing the project indefinitely, she said.
The project involves the group making donations to children in need, she said. They also accept contributions from the public, said Haiderzada. She added that contributions of any kind are welcomed; whether it be monetary donations, toothbrushes, soaps or sweets and treats, explained Haiderzada.
“In our community there is such a need amongst the children; some of them have never owned a new item of clothing in their life,” stated Haiderzada. “The conditions some of these children live under are absolutely appalling. Our little gift of a new outfit […] goes a very long way to uplifting an entire family.”
Maryam Haiderzada and Kouthar Abrahams recently launched an initiative that has clothed over 20 underprivileged children. They hope to clothe 500 children in 2023, according to Haiderzada. PHOTO: Tim Malinzi
Planting the seed
Abrahams has taught at the Islamic centre in Stellenbosch for four years.
After noticing that children often arrived at the centre with dirty clothing, Abrahams “did some home visits and saw the really bad situations that they were living in”.
“I was shocked,” she told MatieMedia. “That was when the seed was planted that we need to do more.”
Maryam Haiderzada explained the significance of Eid al-Fitr as a time of celebration and begged the question as to how underprivileged children can celebrate the holiday. AUDIO: Tim Malinzi
Getting off the ground
Abrahams initially presented the idea of the project to a group of women she teaches Islamic studies to. The response she received was overwhelming, said Abrahams.
At first, only the children of the homes she had visited were selected. Many of the parents in these households were unemployed, explained Abrahams.
“I put them on a list, got their clothes sizes [and] shoe sizes – and I got to 22 children,” said Abrahams. “It just grew from there by word of mouth.”
By the time of publication, the initiative had successfully clothed 27 children, according to Haiderzada.
Maryam Haiderzada and Kouthar Abrahams’ initiative aims to provide children with new clothes, as well as treats and other essential items, depending on the needs of the child, stated Haiderzada. PHOTO: Supplied/Maryam Haiderzada
Onwards and upwards
“This is our first year and we’re kind of proud of ourselves,” stated Haiderzada. “We have high aspirations. We are planning next year on clothing 500 children.”
Haiderzada also stated their desire to set up a non-governmental organisation and get more sponsors and donors invested in their initiative.
“In return for blessing another, you will be blessed as well,” said Tamia Thompson, a practicing Muslim and BA drama and theatre studies student at Stellenbosch University, via written correspondence with MatieMedia.
“With an initiative like this, you will be bringing a smile to a child’s face and there’s nothing more heart-warming than that,” said Thompson.