International Women’s Day: Journeys of empowerment in Ethiopia and Indonesia

The theme for International Women’s Day 2024 is ‘Inspire Inclusion’, celebrating the diversity and inclusion of women to create more equal societies, and fairer environments where women feel empowered.

To mark International Women’s Day, we are sharing stories of some of the amazing women Islamic Relief supports around the world.

Stitching a future in Ethiopia

“Every stitch I make is a step towards a better future for my children,” says Ifrah, a young mother who had to rebuild her life in eastern Ethiopia after she was violently forced from her home.

Fleeing with her 5 children, Ifrah eventually settled in the town of Jigjiga where she planned to open a small shop selling clothing that she had handstitched.

Ifrah initially struggled to make her dream a reality, but after coming into contact with Islamic Relief, she received funds and training to open her shop. Ifrah says the support she received from Islamic Relief’s Youth and Woman Empowerment Project (YWEP) went even deeper.

“It’s not just about the money. It’s about the trust that Islamic Relief placed in me, the belief that I could rise.”

Despite the challenges of launching a business in a period of economic uncertainty, Ifrah has been able to turn her shop into a resounding success.

In the beginning, Ifrah would struggle to make as much as 100 ETB (approx. RM8) a day, but the business has now grown to a position where she draws in 15,000 ETB (approx. RM1200) a month.

“There were days when inflation hit us hard,” she recalls. “But with every challenge, I learned, I adapted. Islamic Relief’s training wasn’t just about business; it was about resilience.”

Ifrah hopes her shop will inspire others in Jigjiga.

“My dream? It’s to see a street lined with businesses run by women,” she says with a smile.

“Women who started with a small seed, just like I did.”

Harvesting independence in Indonesia

On the island of Lombok in Indonesia, the green mushroom houses of Uus’s farm are a testament to her hard work and the support of Islamic Relief’s Sustainable Livelihood Project.

“There was a time when uncertainty was the only certainty we had,” Uus recalls.

“Islamic Relief changed that for us; they gave us the tools and the confidence to grow, not just mushrooms, but our dreams.”

The Sustainable Livelihood project in Lombok provides women with training, tools and equipment, as well as financial support to launch enterprises such as mushroom cultivation.

Uus’s mushroom farm has become more than a source of income, it is now a beacon of collective achievement for the community.

“We’re not just growing mushrooms; we’re growing lives,” she says.

Her business now harvests up to 40 kilos of fresh mushrooms daily and employs 10 local workers.

“Islamic Relief taught us to cultivate hope, and now hope blooms in every corner of our farm. This farm is our heart,” she says warmly, “and it beats strong for our community.”

The training and financial support provided by Islamic Relief have helped Uus and her husband develop a thriving business, while also planting seeds of self-reliance in her neighbours.

For Uus, the message is clear:

“When one of us rises, we all rise. My success is our success, and I dream of a day when every woman in Lombok has the means to write her own story of triumph.”

Honouring inspiring women

As we mark International Women’s Day, Uus and Ifrah’s stories reflect a shared vision of a better future – a future where every woman has the opportunity to thrive and lead change in her community.

Islamic Relief celebrates the resilience and ambition of women like Ifrah and Uus, who are not only rebuilding their lives but also paving the way for others to follow.

Their journeys remind us that when women are given the chance to succeed, they create a stronger, more inclusive world.

Support our vital women’s empowerment work, which enables vulnerable women to gain agency over their lives: please donate now.

International Women’s Day: Piya’s journey of resilience and triumph

To mark International Women’s Day, we are sharing the inspiring story of how one woman in rural Bangladesh changed her life for the better, with support from Islamic Relief.

Women in Bangladesh face many challenges and obstacles to empowerment, from harmful social norms to a lack of access to education and employment opportunities. For women with disabilities, life is even more difficult.

Piya, lives in a remote village in the Rajarhat sub-district of Kurigram in northwestern Bangladesh. The 29-year-old has a hearing impairment and, like many girls in rural Bangladesh, was a victim of early marriage, sometimes known as child marriage.

In rural Bangladesh, women and girls have few opportunities to earn an income and are often viewed as financial burdens. Marriage is the most common way to relieve that burden, prompting many families to marry off their daughters before the girls reach adulthood.

Piya’s parents were worried she might also face discrimination because of her hearing impairment and thought marriage could shield her from that. So, at age 14, she began married life. Social norms around the role of a wife made it impossible for Piya to continue her education, forcing her to drop out of school.

Piya’s husband, Chand Mia, works as a day labourer but struggles to make ends meet with his limited income. Ensuring his wife and children received 3 nutritious meals a day was a constant struggle for him. The situation was difficult for Piya too.

“I experienced profound sadness as I could not contribute more to support my husband. I knew I had to take action, but I was unsure where to begin or what steps to take. The inability to provide meals for our children was particularly painful for me,” she says, reflecting on that challenging time.

A turning point

Piya’s life began to change when she became involved with Islamic Relief. Through the Promoting the Model for the Elimination of Extreme Poverty in rural Bangladesh (EEP) project, she received training, seed money and technical support to launch a business, help break the cycle of poverty and boost her socioeconomic wellbeing. Piya is one of almost 3,500 people facing extreme poverty who will receive support through the 36-month-long project.

Determined to change her family’s situation, Piya embraced the opportunity. With a seed fund of BDT 12,000 (approx. RM512), she began raising goats, expanding her modest farm with Islamic Relief’s support.

Empowered by growing confidence, Piya sought out other streams of income by joining a local self-help group. She found a community offering mutual support as well as sharing knowledge and resources, and became a cashier for the group.

Joining the self-help group opened the door for Piya to make use of Islamic microfinance services. She also took out interest-free loans from the group’s fund to expand her endeavours.

Her small home farm transformed into a diverse landscape, home to goats, chickens, and cows. Project initiatives, such as animal health camps, supported Piya in keeping her animals healthy and well.

Leasing a productive piece of land, Piya cultivated chilli and ginger, which led to substantial monthly profits. She also cultivated her own fodder, saving the money she would have spent buying it, and engaged in other cost-effective farming practices with support from Islamic Relief. Her husband supported her efforts to expand the farm, which became a collaborative effort for the couple.

Piya’s investments and hard work significantly improved her family’s financial situation. She transitioned from depending solely on her husband’s income to becoming a self-sufficient contributor. Beyond her farming activities, Piya became an inspiration within her self-help group, motivating others to pursue their ambitions.

On this International Women’s Day, Piya’s story epitomises determination, resilience, and triumph over adversity. Through her efforts and the right opportunities, she not only achieved financial security but also became an inspiration for those around her.

Islamic Relief is committed to empowering vulnerable people in Bangladesh to lift themselves out of poverty through building sustainable incomes. Please help us to continue this vital work. Donate now.

IR Malaysia anjur Kursus Induksi Sukarelawan

BANGI, 24 Feb 2024 – Seramai 19 orang peserta menghadiri Kursus Induksi Sukarelawan atau Volunteer Induction Course (VIC) yang dianjurkan oleh Islamic Relief Malaysia (IR Malaysia) bertempat di pejabat IR Malaysia, yang terletak di Seksyen 9, Bandar Baru Bangi.

Para peserta terdiri daripada pelbagai latar belakang termasuk golongan profesional menyertai kursus tersebut yang bertujuan untuk memperkenalkan IR Malaysia dan melatih para peserta mengenai dunia kemanusiaan dan kesukarelawanan.

Pegawai Kanan Bahagian Penjanaan Dana IR Malaysia, Ramlah Halim berkata, kebanyakan peserta ialah mereka yang baru berdaftar sebagai sukarelawan dan ingin mengenali IR Malaysia secara mendalam.

“Antara modul yang kami sampaikan dalam kursus tersebut ialah asas kemanusiaan dan kesukarelawanan, asas pengurusan projek kemanusiaan berimpak, Code of Conduct dan Core Humanitarian Standard serta asas penjanaan dana.

“Kesemua modul ini disampaikan oleh kakitangan IR Malaysia sendiri. Alhamdulillah, maklum balas yang kami terima sangat memberangsangkan dan kami juga terima beberapa permintaan untuk menganjurkan lagi kursus sebegini selepas ini,” katanya.

Selain penyampaian empat modul, IR Malaysia turut memperkenalkan permainan Fundraising Monopoly bagi memudahkan dan meningkatkan kefahaman para peserta.

“Seronok dapat dengar pengalaman sukarelawan yang memang bekerja di lapangan. Jadi, ia sangat membuka mata saya, membuka minda saya dan saya rasa tak sabar nak betul-betul terlibat dalam projek-projek yang dijalankan.

“Lagipun Islamic Relief ni well established NGO, jadi saya sangat look forward untuk networking opportunities, kenal lebih ramai orang dan sebagainya,” kongsi Aina, salah seorang peserta VIC.

IR Malaysia turut merancang beberapa aktiviti sepanjang tahun ini membabitkan sukarelawan seperti agihan pek makanan Ramadan, MySinggah Ramadan, kursus bahasa isyarat, kursus pertolongan cemas, pembersihan pantai, aktiviti mendaki gunung dan lain-lain.

Hanya Makan Biskut Seminggu, Irma Hasmie Sebak Dengan Kesusahan Insan Lain

Seminggu Hanya Makan Biskut Sahaja, Irma Hasmie Sebak Dengan Kesusahan Insan Lain

Selari dengan Matlamat Pembangunan Mampan yang kedua iaitu Kelaparan Sifar atau Zero Hunger, Islamic Relief Malaysia (IR Malaysia) meneruskan bantuan kemanusiaan kepada golongan rentan melalui agihan pek makanan, sempena menyambut kedatangan bulan Ramadan.

Baru-baru ini, Ikon Kemanusiaan IR Malaysia, Irma Hasmie Ibrahim berkesempatan mengikuti pasukan IR Malaysia untuk menyampaikan bantuan pek makanan kepada beberapa buah keluarga di Klang, Selangor.

Menyelami perasaan Irma yang juga ibu kepada dua orang cahaya mata, peluang dapat menyantuni masyarakat tidak akan disia-siakannya untuk menyelami dan mendalami cabaran serta liku-liku hidup yang dijalani oleh insan lain.

“Ketika saya mengikuti Islamic Relief dalam sesi agihan pek makanan Rezeki Ramadan di Klang Khamis lalu, terasa sebak pula mendengar cerita penerima bantuan yang terpaksa memberi anak-anaknya makan biskut sahaja selama seminggu kerana kesempitan hidup.

“Bayinya yang berusia dua bulan pula terpaksa minum susu pekat manis agar kelihatan seperti susu walaupun hanya sekadarnya sahaja,” cerita Irma Hasmie.

Rezeki Daripada Allah

Ketika ditanya mengenai penglibatannya bersama IR Malaysia, Irma menzahirkan rasa syukur kepada Allah kerana diberi peluang untuk terlibat dalam kerja-kerja kemanusiaan.

Tahun ini merupakan tahun ke-13 Irma terlibat dalam kerja-kerja kebajikan bersama IR Malaysia. Segalanya bermula ketika dia aktif mengacarakan program bual bicara pagi di sebuah stesen televisyen tanah air.

Menurut Irma, banyak yang dia belajar daripada pengalaman menyantuni golongan memerlukan khususnya wanita dan kanak-kanak, baik di dalam mahupun di luar negara.

“Sebelum ini, saya tak tahu pun apa itu kemanusiaan. Islamic Relief Malaysia adalah NGO pertama yang memperkenalkan saya dengan dunia kesukarelawanan ini.

“Saya selalu berdoa semoga Allah kurniakan kesihatan yang baik buat saya, agar saya dapat membantu dan memberi lebih banyak lagi manfaat kepada orang lain.

“Saya tak sempurna, saya pun banyak salah, banyak dosa. Jadi, saya harap Allah dapat terima usaha-usaha yang saya lakukan ke arah kebaikan ini,” kata Irma Hasmie.

Tambah Irma, di luar sana terlalu ramai yang memerlukan bantuan. Kita tidak akan mampu untuk lakukan semuanya sendiri. Kita mesti bersatu dan bersama-sama membantu mereka.

Desakan Hidup dan Kemiskinan: Anak-anak Tersepit Dalam Bayangan Kesusahan

Sempena kehadiran bulan Ramadan yang bakal menjelang tidak lama lagi, Irma ingin mengajak orang ramai untuk sama-sama membantu dan berkongsi rezeki khususnya kepada penduduk di Gaza, Palestin dan negara konflik lain seperti Syria dan Yaman menerusi bantuan pek makanan Rezeki Ramadan anjuran IR Malaysia.

“Mungkin bagi kita, satu pek makanan itu tiada apa-apa, tetapi bagi mereka yang sedang diuji, bantuan ini cukup bermakna.

“Teringat luahan ibu tunggal pelarian Syria yang saya temui di Gaziantep, sempadan Turkiye tahun 2020 dahulu, dalam keadaan terdesak anak-anak terpaksa tidur dengan perut yang kosong seharian. Jika ada sedikit makanan, terpaksa dicatu untuk disuap seorang sedikit. Biasanya, si ibu akan mengalah dan hanya menjamah sesuap dua sahaja,” kongsi Irma.

Pengalaman melihat sendiri kesusahan insan lain di beberapa buah negara termasuk Malaysia, Filipina, Turkiye dan Bangladesh membuatkan Irma tekad untuk membantu seramai mungkin bagi menjalani bulan Ramadan ini dengan sempurna.

Rezeki Ramadan

Bagi memastikan kejayaan misi bantuan, IR Malaysia telah melancarkan kempen Rezeki Ramadan dengan slogan #gandakanpahala pada 12 Januari lalu bertujuan untuk mengumpul dana sebanyak RM2.25 juta bagi pelaksanaan agihan pek makanan di 10 buah negara termasuk Malaysia.

Terdapat dua pakej yang ditawarkan iaitu Pek Makanan RM250 dan Pek Makanan RM350. Selain itu, orang ramai juga membuat sumbangan sedekah Ramadan serendah RM10.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif IR Malaysia, Mohd Shukor Tahir berkata, secara global, Islamic Relief telah melaksanakan program bantuan Ramadan ini selama hampir empat dekad.

“Setiap tahun menjelang bulan Ramadan, semua pejabat lapangan Islamic Relief di seluruh dunia akan membuat agihan bantuan kepada keluarga-keluarga yang memerlukan.

“Tujuan program ini diadakan adalah untuk meringankan beban mereka dalam menyediakan juadah berbuka dan bersahur ketika bulan Ramadan.

“Selama bertahun-tahun program ini dijalankan, kami dapati bahawa masih ada keluarga yang terpaksa mengikat perut dan menahan keinginan untuk mencuba pelbagai jenis makanan sewaktu berbuka dan bersahur hanya kerana mereka tidak cukup wang untuk membeli,” katanya.

Tambah Mohd Shukor, setiap pek makanan Ramadan yang diagihkan, dilengkapi dengan makanan asas atau makanan ruji penerima bantuan mengikut negara masing-masing seperti beras, tepung, jagung, pasta, bijirin, kekacang, daging dalam tin, minyak masak, gula, teh dan kurma.

Selain agihan pek makanan, IR Malaysia turut menggunakan kaedah baucar tunai terutama untuk kawasan-kawasan yang mempunyai kemudahan pasar raya yang mudah diakses.

Tahun ini, IR Malaysia bakal mengagihkan pek makanan atau baucar tunai kepada 6,051 keluarga di Malaysia dan 1,300 keluarga di sembilan negara lain; Palestin (Gaza), Syria, Yaman, Lubnan, Afghanistan, Somalia, Indonesia, Bangladesh dan Filipina.

“Kami amat berbesar hati untuk menerima sumbangan pakej Rezeki Ramadan daripada orang ramai dan kepada yang berminat, boleh menghubungi pejabat IR Malaysia di 03-8926 3434 atau melayari www.islamic-relief.org.my untuk mendapatkan maklumat lanjut,” katanya.

Another shameful milestone in Gaza as 100,000 people killed or wounded

The massacre in Gaza has passed another shameful milestone, with more than 100,000 Palestinians now killed or wounded since 7 October¹ – as civilians are attacked at a faster rate than during any conflict this century, in full view of the international community.

Ongoing Israeli attacks together with starvation and disease outbreaks mean this deadly toll could quadruple in the coming months unless there is an immediate ceasefire and a massive increase in humanitarian aid. Yet since last month there has been a 50% reduction in aid getting into Gaza.

Many of those wounded have suffered injuries that will affect them for the rest of their lives, such as loss of legs or arms or severe trauma. Thousands of children have become orphans and over 1 million children now need mental health support.

The death toll from Israel’s bombardment continues to mount every day, but there are growing fears that it will be dwarfed by deaths from hunger and disease. One new report by leading academics warns of up to 85,750 excess deaths in Gaza in the next 6 months unless a ceasefire is agreed². There are growing fears of famine, with 1 in 10 young children across the territory malnourished.

The humanitarian crisis is getting worse and Islamic Relief’s team and partners in Gaza continue to deliver food and other vital aid – but every day it is becoming more difficult and dangerous. The number of aid trucks able to enter Gaza through Rafah or Kerem Shalom / Karem Abu Salem has once again reduced to a tiny trickle over the past couple of weeks, and aid convoys have been attacked. Hundreds of health workers, humanitarian workers and UN staff are among those killed and wounded.

As this tragic milestone is passed, Islamic Relief continues to call on world leaders to demand an immediate ceasefire and an end to Israel’s siege. Every further delay costs more lives.

Notes

¹As of 27 February, 29,878 Palestinians are reported killed and 70,215 injured. Figures for those killed and wounded are taken from latest updates from the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
²A report by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the Johns Hopkins Center for Humanitarian Health

Misi Kemanusiaan Ini Mengubah Persepsi dan Pandangan Kami. Ya Allah, Sedih…

Misi Kemanusiaan Ini Mengubah Persepsi dan Pandangan Kami. Ya Allah, Sedih…

Selebriti dan Ikon Kemanusiaan Islamic Relief Malaysia, Diana Amir dan kumpulan nasyid Saujana menyifatkan perjalanan misi kemanusiaan ke Lombok, Indonesia pada November lalu terlalu sarat dengan emosi.

Menurut Diana, misi yang diberi nama “Caring World” Mission #Indonesia itu telah membawa dia dan pasukan misi meneroka sisi lain Lombok yang mungkin tidak dipaparkan umum.

“Sebelum ini, saya pernah bercuti di Lombok bersama keluarga. Jadi, seperti pelancong lain, saya hanya dapat melihat Lombok sebagai satu destinasi pelancongan yang unik dengan keindahan pulau, gunung dan alam semula jadinya yang cantik.

“Namun, selepas menjalani tujuh hari pengembaraan misi, pandangan saya sudah berbeza. Saya mahu kembali ke Malaysia sebagai suara dan penyampai kepada masyarakat seluruhnya, yang sebenarnya di luar sana ada ramai yang sangat memerlukan bantuan,” kata Diana.

Objektif misi yang disertai Diana, Saujana dan empat kakitangan Islamic Relief Malaysia itu bertujuan untuk melihat dan melawat projek-projek bantuan yang dijalankan Islamic Relief, khususnya melibatkan anak yatim dan projek penjanaan pendapatan di bawah sektor kehidupan mampan.

Walaupun diuji dengan derita yang berat, Masha-Allah mereka sangat kuat…

Bagi Ahmad Zuhaidi Abdul Aziz, salah seorang ahli kumpulan Saujana yang turut serta dalam misi itu berkata, landskap kemiskinan memang boleh dilihat di mana-mana, hatta di Malaysia, namun cabaran yang dilalui anak yatim yang kami temui di Lombok berbeza dan saya rasa ujian mereka sangat berat.

“Antara cabaran paling susah yang dihadapi ibu tunggal atau penjaga kepada anak yatim yang kami temui ialah kesukaran untuk mendapatkan sumber pendapatan.

“Mereka masih di tahap kais pagi makan pagi, kais petang makan petang. Malah, ada juga pekerjaan yang diusahakan mengambil masa dua hingga tiga hari untuk disiapkan dan selepas itu baru boleh dijual, itu pun sekiranya ada yang mahu membeli.

“Disebabkan itu, Islamic Relief menekankan bantuan terhadap anak yatim melibatkan sokongan pendidikan. Hanya dengan pendidikan, mereka dapat mengubah nasib diri dan keluarga, seterusnya keluar dari putaran kemiskinan yang menyelubungi mereka,” kata Zuhaidi.

Suffian Amrin dari kumpulan Saujana turut menambah, pendidikan adalah pelaburan terbaik. Setiap manusia mempunyai hak untuk mendapatkan pendidikan sewajarnya.

“Saya rasa sangat terkesan dan sedih melihat ada anak yatim yang kami temui berdepan trauma kerana terpaksa berhenti sekolah, sedangkan dia sangat suka belajar dan mempunyai prestasi pembelajaran yang baik,” cerita Suffian.

Diana hiba melihat kepayahan hidup ibu tunggal yang seusia dengannya

“Apa yang membuatkan saya rasa sangat terkesan, kebanyakan daripada mereka sebaya umur dengan saya, tapi sedih bila tengok mereka hidup dalam keadaan yang sangat daif.

“Mereka hidup dalam serba kekurangan dan serba tiada. Makan pun tak menentu setiap hari. Tapi, Masha-Allah mereka sentiasa mengucapkan Alhamdulillah. Ucapan Alhamdulillah tak pernah lekang daripada bibir mereka,” jelas Diana.

Tambahnya, ada yang kehilangan suami ketika suami bekerja di perantauan. Bertahun-tahun tidak bertemu, akhirnya hanya sekujur tubuh tidak bernyawa yang tiba di depan pintu rumah.

“Sarimah mempunyai seorang anak perempuan yang diberi nama Siti Humainah. Humainah lahir normal, namun kemiskinan mengakibatkan dia kini cacat penglihatan, tidak boleh bercakap dan tidak boleh menguruskan diri sendiri.

“Sewaktu kecil, Humainah diserang demam panas dan sawan, namun Sarimah tidak dapat membawa anaknya ke hospital kerana tiada wang dan pengangkutan.

“Suara Sarimah berbunyi kecewa dan ada penyesalan dalam nada suaranya. Mungkin dia rasa jika dia ada kemampuan untuk merawat Humainah dahulu, Humainah pasti dapat membesar dengan baik,” kata Diana.

Diana dan Saujana menyeru orang ramai untuk sama-sama menyokong projek MyYateem #CareForOrphan yang dianjurkan Islamic Relief Malaysia bagi membantu anak yatim di lebih 20 buah negara termasuk Indonesia, Syria, Yaman dan Palestin.

Terdapat dua pakej yang ditawarkan menerusi projek MyYateem iaitu Kasih MyYateem dan Tajaan MyYateem.

Untuk maklumat lanjut, sila layari laman web www.islamic-relief.org.my untuk menderma dan berkongsi rezeki bersama anak-anak yatim.

Diana dan Saujana berharap semoga inisiatif menerusi hebahan projek ini dapat meringankan penderitaan anak yatim, selari dengan galakan dalam Islam dan yang dianjurkan junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad SAW sepertimana yang diriwayatkan oleh Abu Hurairah RA, bahawa Nabi SAW bersabda:

كَافِلُ الْيَتِيمِ لَهُ أَوْ لِغَيْرِهِ أَنَا وَهُوَ كَهَاتَيْنِ فِي الْجَنَّةِ

Maksud: “Orang yang menanggung anak yatim miliknya atau milik orang lain, aku dan dia seperti dua ini (Nabi SAW mengisyaratkan dengan dua jari baginda SAW) di syurga”. [Riwayat Muslim, (2983)]

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