The Lady Fatemah (a.s) Charitable Trust
Background
Families who live below the poverty line have to make cuts even to the food budget in order to survive. Because of their high cost, meat, chicken and eggs - i.e. protein-rich items - are the first to be reduced. However, protein-deficiency can result in serious health problems, especially among children. Children who consume too little protein are liable to suffer from reduced growth and weight, liver problems, anaemia and mental retardation.
The IRAC, with funding from The Lady Fatemah Charitable Trust, distributed meat packages among 249 vulnerable families in Karbala, comprising 1,484 persons. 120 families (713 persons) were Sadat families and 129 families (771 persons) were Non-Sadat families (Sadaqah). The distribution took place during the month of Safar 1429 Hijri. Each family received a package of 1.25 - 1.50 kg of fresh meat delivered directly to their doorstep.
IRAC selected the families who would benefit from this project according to a set of criteria focusing on extremely impoverished and vulnerable families.
Selection criteria included:
Implementation
A few days before the dates designated for distribution, IRAC announced to its representatives in different regions of Karbala that meat distributions would be conducted and asked them to submit lists containing the names and addresses of the neediest families in their region. Many of these families, especially the internally displaced (IDP) families among them, were already known to IRAC and had been visited by its staff members during previous relief projects.
IRAC arranged for its representatives in the different regions to deliver the meat parcels to the beneficiaries on the appointed days. Care was taken that all meat parcels were distributed on the same day to ensure that the meat was fresh and in prime condition.
The slaughtering of the 18 sheep purchased with project funds took place on three days: 10 sheep were slaughtered on Thursday February 14, four on Friday February 22, and four on Sunday February 24, 2008. The meat of half the number of slaughtered sheep was earmarked for Sadat families and the other half for Non-Sadat families during each distribution.
In order to be fair with the beneficiaries we exchanged the heart, lungs, and liver of each sheep for an additional meat package. The sheep's heads have been given to needy families as well.
Expenditure
|
No. |
Item |
Unit |
Quant. |
Unit Cost (Dinar) |
Full Cost (Dinar) |
|
|
Sheep for Sadat |
Sheep |
9 |
Varies |
1,503,000 |
|
|
Slaughtering, cutting, packing |
Sheep |
9 |
8,000 |
72,000 |
|
|
Distribution |
Sheep |
9 |
5,000 |
45,000 |
|
Sub-total Sadat |
|
|
|
1,620,000 |
|
|
|
Sheep for Non-Sadat |
Sheep |
9 |
Varies |
1,503,000 |
|
|
Slaughtering, cutting, packing |
Sheep |
9 |
8,000 |
72,000 |
|
|
Distribution |
Sheep |
9 |
5,000 |
45,000 |
|
Sub-total Non-Sadat |
|
|
|
1,620,000 |
|
|
Total Direct Project Cost |
|
|
|
3,240,000 |
|
|
Implementation Charges |
|
|
|
162,000 |
|
|
Total Project Expenditure |
|
|
|
3,402,000 |
|
Total project funding was 3,581,300 Dinar and the remaining balance was 179,250 Dinar. We preferred to keep this amount for a similar program in the future because we did not want to spend more on one side or share one sheep between Sadat and Non-Sadat families.
Conclusion
In this project, 18 sheep were slaughtered, nine for Sadat families and nine for Non-Sadah families. Each sheep yielded about 14 packages of meat. 120 Sadat families comprising 713 persons and 129 Non-Sadah families comprising 771 persons benefited from this project; the total number of beneficiaries was 249 needy families comprising 1,484 persons. The feeling of taking part in such a project that pleases Allah and of sharing the happiness and the reward (Thawab) is indescribable.
Signed: General Manager, IRAC
