“Those who in charity spend of their goods by night and by day, in secret and in public, have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve” (2:274).
This year poverty impacts taught us some great lessons. One is that poverty impacts not only the countries where its rate is the highest, but the whole globe. We saw again that ummah can’t exist in division.
It also showed us the importance of sustainability in the face of an immediate crisis. With the new virus spreading so rapidly between countries, we learnt that poor sanitation systems in developing countries should be a priority for everyone, regardless of where we live.
But, above all, this year reinforced how dedicated, constant, and determined our donors are in their quest to make the world a better place.
This is how you helped your ummah so far.
1. You Improved Lives Through Business Opportunities
Our flagship Rozgar project has been giving the poor in Pakistan an opportunity to become self-reliant for the past six years. Through the distribution of rickshaws and financial aid for the establishment of small businesses, UCI aims to give people the tools they need to become more independent.
And, thanks to your generous donations, we gave 96 poor individuals their independence through our rickshaw distribution programme last year. These are hardworking people who lacked the resources to start a job, but possessed the drive, talent, and hope.
2. You Provided Safe Water to 51,775 People
It might seem hard to believe that 2.1 billion people in the world still don’t have access to a reliable source of water. And, studies show that the lack of clean water leads to deeper issues in the community than we’d expect. Yes, it is firstly a health hazard; but, because finding a water source is such a time-consuming activity, it can also distract adults from their work and children from pursuing their education.
Your gift of water reached 51,775 poor Pakistanis last year through the installation of:
- 905 water hand-pumps
- 91 water wells
Thanks to you, entire villages benefit from a clean water source now, which they can use for drinking, agriculture, domestic activities, and sanitation. The children are free to go to school and their parents can tend to agriculture, which is also the main source of income for many in rural areas.
3. You Fed Ummah’s Hungry
Food poverty in Pakistan is an ongoing issue that UCI aims to slowly alleviate. Even before the pandemic, 60% of the population was struggling to find enough food to eat in a day, and the rate of malnourished children under five was at 44%.
With your help, our team distributed food packs and warm meals to those on the brink of starvation.
We:
- Fed 6,090 individuals in Muharram.
- Delivered Qurbani to 576 people.
- Supplied 5,000 Iftar packs and helped a total of 18,360 brothers and sisters during Ramadan.
The UCI team took the time to choose ingredients appropriate for each area in which we distributed our food and respect the nutritional needs of everyone in the ummah. This was only possible due to your generous Sadaqah and Zakat donations to our charity. Thank you!
4. You Empowered the Mothers & Young Women of the Ummah
In Pakistan, most women miss out on getting access to even basic education. These women often struggle to make ends meet and put food on the table for their families. Not because they are not talented or willing, but because they were never given the chance to learn a skill that could turn into a source of income.
Through UCI’s Women Empowerment Project, we provided 80 women last year with the right resources, tools, and training to kickstart their own profitable venture in the clothing industry. They were all gifted a sewing machine at the end of our programme and some of them went on to earn a substantial income from their businesses.
5. You Gave the Gift of Education
In November 2018, Chairman Mufti Abdul Wahab took the initiative to start the Street School project. He recognised the need to make school available to children from underprivileged backgrounds, some of whom had never held a pen in their hands before.
The project has proven a success since, and we currently have 190 students enrolled. You have provided these children with free uniforms, notebooks, healthy snacks and, most importantly, the right to learn true Islamic teachings, but also practical knowledge such as how to maintain good hygiene and stay healthy.
Alongside our Street School, we are also running two Maktabs providing comprehensive Islamic education to the 200 students enrolled each year.
“When I was younger, I didn’t know the downside of not growing up with an education. This was because I grew up among my six brothers and five sisters amidst the poverty and suffering of rural Pakistan.” –
6. You Revived Islam in Rural Areas
It’s difficult to imagine that entire communities lack the blessing of a masjid. The house of Allah (swt) plays a vital role in our Islamic society—from a place where we connect to Him in prayer to a place for education, socialising and community.
Last year, you gave the poor 12 masjids in total! This means you provided 2,440 individuals in Pakistan with a safe prayer space closer to home. And, you’ve also built your houses in Jannah!
Other Achievements
- Our emergency aid fund gave solace to 3,460 Pakistanis hit by natural disasters.
- 400 youths benefitted from the delivery of our motorcycles and gained a means of income.
- We tackled disability in the ummah through the distribution of 150 wheelchairs.
- 1,982 beneficiaries were given the gift of sight in our eye camps.
- Through our Winter Project, we distributed warm blankets, food packs and fuel to thousands in need. You can still donate this winter.