Dear LFT readers, Assalamun Alaykum and welcome to this month's newsletter. As always, it has been yet another challenging but rewarding month for the Trust, in which we have seen many of our projects come to fruition thanks only to your support.
They ask you as to what they should spend. Say: Whatever wealth you spend, it is for the parents and the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer, and whatever good you do, Allah surely knows it. Holy Quran 2:215
Palestine:
Following Israel's three week bombing of Gaza, tens of thousands of people have been left homeless, 1,314 killed (412 children and 110 women) 5,300 wounded (1,855 children and 795 women), with losses valued at nearly USD2billion. Many people are without food, water and warmth in the midst of the Gazan Winter. The assessment reports prepared by our emergency team working with our partner organisation in Gaza (the Atfaluna Institute for Deaf children), states that the most important needs for the students and their families are food, clothes, hygienic kits and blankets. Around 50 students and employees have had complete or severe damages to their homes. As a result, home and kitchen supplies are very much needed for them; mattresses, fridges, furniture, kitchen tools and simple equipment. Please give generously and help these innocent people rebuild their lives. Appeal
Iraq:
As we remember the cries of the thirsty and orphans during the tragedy of Karbala, the Lady Fatemah (a.s.) Charitable Trust would like to invite you to assist the orphans and thirsty in Karbala today. To find out how you can reach out to the orphans and those without access to clean water, please see our current appeal. USD36,225 has been transferred to support the 350 orphans in Karbala and 225 orphans in Al-Kurt for January and February.
USD 5,000.00 has been transferred towards the sewing machine microfinance project. Read More
USD 4,800.00 has transferred towards the milking cow project for widows in Basra for purchase of the milking cows.
Cholera is virtually endemic in some regions of Iraq, but the past months witnessed a worrying increase in cases. LFT in cooperation with IRAC have recently implemented a project to prevent the spread of Cholera in Karbala and surrounding areas. More than 4,000 families, comprising more than 25,000 people, benefited from this project. Each family received a pack of 100 sterilization tablets, each of which was sufficient to sterilize 20 litres of water, and a plastic water container. Read More
Since its establishment in 2006, the Karbala Eye Clinic has steadily progressed towards establishing itself as a major centre for treatment of ophthalmologic diseases in Iraq. 23,973 patients have been treated from January 2006 to January 2008. We are currently in the process of re-opening our Basra Eye Clinic, which due to the unstable environment was forced to close for a while.
Approximately 9 Million Iraqis - about 2 Million families - live around or below the poverty line. Such families have to make cuts to the food budget in order to survive. Because of this high cost, meat, chicken and eggs - i.e. the protein-rich items - are the first to be reduced. However, protein-deficiency can result in serious health problems, especially among children. In January 2008 IRAC and LFT initiated a joint program to provide at least 1 kg of meat per month to destitute families in Karbala. So far 542 families (3,259 people) have benefited from this project. Read More
Iran:
Good health is one of the most valuable of the many bounties The Almighty bestows on His servants. In November and December 2008, 212 men, women and children received the gift of improved health from you, dear LFT donors. More than one third of the patients were less than 18 years old. One child treated was 11years old suffering from a congenital heart defect. Another was a 12year old Afghan orphan refugee who had to have his hand amputated following an accident. Each pound and each penny counts for these patients, please continue to support this program. Read More
LFT has recently received a request for monthly support for a poor family living in Isfahan. The father is unable to work, and the wife who has two of her own children, had to take in two nephews with special needs. These two boys do not have anyone to care for them and they cannot live on their own. Income-generation is not feasible in this case, so monthly assistance has been given.
The city of Qum has a refugee population of about 56,000 persons or 10,000 families. Most of them work at low-paid, menial jobs that do not provide enough money for a decent life.
Attacking poverty at its roots means providing the poor with the means to earn a living in dignity. One of the most efficient weapons to achieve this aim is to provide needy individuals with the skills and means to earn a living. LFT and IRAC therefore intend to establish a skills training centre offering computer courses tailored to the needs of the publishing industry and tailoring courses. With the purchase of six computers, five courses lasting two months each can be conducted annually. In total, more than 170 persons annually will acquire marketable skills. Read More
Afghanistan:
LFT is currently funding an income generation scheme consisting of sheep for 40 Widow Families in Jaghoori and Yakawlang. The number of sheep (USD125) given would vary depending on the size of the family. These widows are faced with the constant challenge of feeding their families, keeping them warm in the winter and sending their children to school. The Widow Families had already been identified through the community representatives who have a good understanding of the financial circumstances of these widows. However there are many more widow families, who need assistance, please give generously.
Lebanon:
An appeal has been received from our partner organization LFT Lebanon to assist a 3year old girl, who requires occupational and physiotherapy. She is currently only able to crawl on the tips of her fingers and toes. Another appeal has been received to assist a 6year old boy, who sadly contracted a virus necessitating the amputation of both his legs and left hand. He had this undertaken in Spain, and now requires funding for the artificial prostheses. Please help this little boy live a normal life, thank you.
Many Lebanese families continue to be affected following the war in 2006. Micro finance assistance by way of a milking cow has been provided to these families, thereby allowing them to earn a living with dignity. LFT recently received an appeal to assist with funding for 10 milking cows. The cows are being transported from Syria where they are cheaper, at a total cost of USD20,330.
Another microfinance case was assisted this month, allowing a family economic independence. The wife and mother of two were sent on a 6 month professional beautician course. She can now supplement her husband's earning, which previously could barely cover the rent, as well as look after her two young children. Read More
Pakistan and Kashmir:
In association with our partner organization in Pakistan, we are continuing to support cataract procedures undertaken free of charge or at a nominal cost at the Munnawar Memorial Hospital as well as another institute. Please help us give these people the gift of sight, so they too can live independently, earn their living and see their loved ones. It only costs £15 for each cataract, dear donors.
LFT implemented the family support program in Parachinar and Kurram valley as a result of the widespread insecurity and violence that occurred across this region in 2008. Kurram Agency is located in the "Federally Administered Tribal Areas" (FATA) of West and South-West Pakistan. The purpose of this program was to provide enough support to individuals and families to enable them to begin rebuilding their lives. Literally left to provide for themselves under the open sky without shelter, food and other basic needs, these community members faced an uphill battle. However, now thanks to your support, they are returning to normality. In the first phase (August to December 08), 63 desperate families with a total of 350 persons were provided with monthly assistance of between 30 to 72 GBP according to the family size for a year. In the second phase (January to June 09), 27 further families will be assisted. Following this, the intention is to launch new initiatives for microfinance projects, where individuals are provided with the resources for small scale business ventures, allowing them to become self sufficient. Read More
India:
St Paul's School in Mysore, India was founded in 1980 with the aim of offering an affordable education to students coming from poor families. The school is recognized by the government of Karnataka State and today has 800 students. A second branch was opened in 2000 in another part of Mysore to meet the rising demand among poor students. Please visit the website to see the second semester results for the 68 students for 2008-2009. The school makes every effort to prepare the students to compete for State and National level competitive examinations. One student sponsored by LFT has secured 13th rank in National level mathematics exams. Read More
Tanzania:
In association with IZAAS, LFT has assisted 14 blind and deaf children, to travel to Nairobi to have treatment. Three of the children had cataracts removed and their vision restored, four were given medication and special glasses, but sadly three children had such extensive eye damage they did not respond to surgery. Three of the children were also given antibiotics for ear infections and will inshallah be operated once the bus stops draining. One was fitted with a hearing aid. We would like to sincerely thank you for helping all these children.
LFT also assisted a young girl with spine cancer. The lump was removed successfully, despite being deeply rooted in her spine. She will now be transferred to another hospital to receive chemo and radiotherapy.
Newsletters:
Ijaza:
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Give As You Earn:
To make a regular donation by standing order, please download a mandate from the website or contact us and we will send one to you. You can make a donation by using our secure on-line payment facility at https://secure.webstar.co.uk/lft/hsbc/donate.php The site allows you to donate in three currencies; GBP, USD and EUROS.
Please remember that completing a Gift Aid form substantially boosts your donation by 28% if you are a UK taxpayer.
Thank you, as always for all your generosity and support, without which our work would not be possible.
Yours sincerely,
Mr Shabir Jagani
Deputy Chairman
http://www.ladyfatemahtrust.org/
Tel +44 (0) 1494 762 063, Email info@ladyfatemahtrust.org, Fax +44 (0) 1494 762 286,
Mobile +44 (0) 7798 76 10 20, Fax +44 (0) 7798 76 90 30
Website: http://www.ladyfatemahtrust.org/
