Islamic Relief has made me a source of pride for my daughters

“I have four daughters who are the most beautiful gifts of God to me. Despite all the harsh conditions I have experienced, I offered them the opportunity to complete their higher education until they graduated from university. However, my role with them is not over, and I continue working for their decent living. I want to be a source of their pride and inspiration until the last moments of my life”. Ms. Zakeya, 65, is one of the beneficiaries of the Islamic Relief’s Supporting the livelihoods of vulnerable women through small income generation activities in Gaza Strip project, which is funded by a generous donation by Islamic Relief – Mauritius.

“I have been oppressed so much in my life, my husband has abandoned me because I didn’t gave birth to male children, I have given birth to four girls and since that then I felt so much frustrated and I have suffered a lot the way the society looks at me.” said Ms. Zakeya.”Islamic Relief made me full of pride and pleasure after granting me fund for a small sheep breeding project to earn our living” proudly said Ms. Zakeya.

“Previously, I was working to breed sheep for a dealer. And after receiving the grant, I bought two sheep and established a little place to raise them”, she continued. “When I bought sheep from the market, I was so happy that I would have a source of income and would not rely on anyone to provide for my daughters’ needs. Even, my daughters came to watch the sheep and were so delighted that I will be able to rely on myself for their expenses. ”

She adds, “Now, I have five sheep and I will take good care of them and continue trading in them. I hope I could purchase more sheep and expand my work”.

Despite her 60-year-old life, she comes every day to the farm to care for sheep, she said, “Every day and after the dawn prayer until 10 at night, I care for sheep and feed them. My daughters, sometimes, come to help me”. She continued, “I have a lot of hope that I will have a farm. I have got plenty of ambitions which I aim to achieve them”.

As for the grant, she said, “I had a lot of ideas for a small business, so I went to many organizations seeking help during the previous years.  Nevertheless, when I knew they would provide me with a loan with interests, I did not accept. Thank God, I found Islamic Relief which supports me to earn an income which is Halal”

“Currently; we are using the income from this project to afford our necessary needs, but I have a great desire to pay off the debts which I have accumulated from educating my daughters in the university” she said. “Also, I wish I could offer the treatment for my daughter. She needs to have an eye surgery, which costs around $1,000 to do it. I want her to be treated as possible so she doesn’t lost sight over the years”.

“I also have a dream to do the Hajj with the money I will save when I expand my project”, she says. “And I will tell everyone that I was able to do Hajj because of my work, so that all widowed and divorced women will be encouraged to start their small businesses”.

“I put so much hope in this project, and every day I think about how I could expand my project to include more heads of sheep. I think about increasing my income to be able to fulfill my dreams and so my daughters’ dreams”.

Zakeya is so attentive to the safety of her sheep, “I am afraid for them like I fear for my daughters. We must preserve their lives. I bring a veterinarian on a regular basis to check them and give them the necessary vaccinations,” she said. “If the sheep get sick, I immediately take them to the veterinarian and buy the required treatment”.

“I thank all those who supported me, and I keep them in my prayers. Their precious charity helped me provide a source of living for my daughters and me. May God grant them blessings in their health and livelihood.” Zakeya concluded.