RAMADAN 2022 FUNDRAISER
During this month of fasting, charity, and worship, we are striving to help those in need. This year for our annual Ramadan fundraiser we will be collecting monetary donations to aid Nubian families and Sudanese refugees in Egypt. In addition to families in Egypt, we will also be assisting low-income families in the DMV (Washington D.C., Maryland, & Virginia) region as well.
Many are struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the devastating impacts of COVID-19, the current war has also inflated the cost of living in Egypt. With Ukraine and Russia being the main supplier of wheat in Egypt, food prices have increased by over 44%. Making it even harder for those already struggling financially to support themselves.
We are dedicated to helping the most vulnerable members of our community but we need your help! With your support and generous donations we hope to meet our goal of $10,000, which will be used to purchase bags filled with groceries. Each bag will contain sugar, oil, rice, flour, tea, meat, and dates. In addition, donations will also be used to provide medical treatment and purchase medications for those in need. Lastly, as donations yield we will be assisting families struggling to pay their bills in hopes to alleviate some of their financial burdens.
Background on Sudanese Refugees:
The Sudanese refugee community of October 6 is in urgent need of aid. With the number of families in just this small community growing from 500 to over 1500 families since 2020, the situation has intensified. Sudanese refugees in Egypt suffer from a variety of challenges such as, work exploitation, discrimination and being charged foreign rates when seeking medical treatment, despite the fact that they are refugees and not tourists.
The majority of families have not been able to provide for their families and live under terrible and dangerous living conditions. It is not uncommon for over 10 people to be living in a small apartment, but it has been reported there are homes with over 25 family members living in one home. Mothers have been forced to make tough decisions, like whether they should leave their young children alone at home, whilst they work long shifts in order to provide a meal for them. Many refugees are working in factories and as domestic house staff but are still unable to afford the high cost of living in Egypt.
This area suffers from major food insecurity, often leaving families wondering daily where their next meal will come from. In addition to this, many of the refugees have been going untreated for illnesses because they are unable to afford the foreign medical service fees and are often turned away from doctors in Egypt. There are many people who have high blood pressure, diabetes, and many other fatal illnesses that are in need of urgent medical treatment.
How will NubiYouth support Sudanese Refugees?
Your donations will be used to provide grocery bags for refugees through the month of Ramadan. Each bag will contain sugar, oil, rice, flour, tea, whole chickens, and dates. $30 feeds a family of 5 for one month. With the rising cost of food products this may be subject to change as we see fit to fulfill the high need.
As part of our efforts to encourage them to prioritize their health, we will arrange for physicians to visit the area and conduct free medical checkups in order to reduce the high cost of medical care for them. In addition, donations will be used to support the costs of prescriptions for individuals who cannot afford them. As proceeds permit, we will also be helping with rent and financial assistance, and hope to be able to purchase Eid clothes for some of the youth there.
Lastly, as an initiative to get our supporters in Egypt involved we will be organizing a donation drop-off, where you will have the opportunity to donate any items that may be helpful. We will be accepting clothing, toys, furniture, technology, cleaning supplies, toiletries and other household items. Items should be gently used and in good condition. This is a wonderful way to give back and we encourage our supporters in Egypt to take advantage.
Background on Nubian Portion of Fundraiser (Egypt):
Like many, the pandemic has severely impacted our Nubian communities. Many have lost their jobs and have since struggled to find sustainable income. This has been especially true for Nubians working in the Middle eastern countries. This is significant because Nubians in Egypt heavily rely on Nubians living overseas to send money back home to not only their families, but the less fortunate members of the community as well. The need has increased and we’ve found more and more families in need of urgent assistance this Ramadan. The cycle of poverty these families are continuing to face is the legacy of the negative economic impact the displacement has had on Nubians. The cost of living in Egypt is higher than ever, and the most vulnerable members of our community are suffering. Families have been forced to decide between putting food on the table, paying their bills and purchasing medications. There is a high need for food donations, medical assistance and rent/utility related costs, and it our goal to ease some of these burdens for them.
Background on Nubian Portion of Fundraiser (USA):
The current pandemic and inflation is a global issue. Nubians in the USA are facing the same obstacles here. Families are struggling to keep up with their bills and afford the high cost of living in the DMV area. NubiYouth has been doing a phenomenal job supporting these families with seeking government assistance, taking advantage of programs available, finding work and making sure they have been able to get everything they need throughout the year. This Ramadan, we hope to provide groceries and cash assistance for these families.
"The Prophet (ï·º) was the most generous of all the people, and he used to become more generous in Ramadan when Gabriel met him. Gabriel used to meet him every night during Ramadan to revise the Qur'an with him. Allah's Messenger (ï·º) then used to be more generous than the fast wind."
(Sahih al-Bukhari 3554).