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Assalamullaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu
This month Seeds of Sadaqah and ISWA have the privilege of helping out notone but two cases within our community. Our first case was presented to us by a fellow sister in our community who reached out for help on behalf of someone else in dire need.
The second case is equally as important - it centers on reuniting family members. Please click on the cases below and donate generously to help out these families and to the Seeds of Sadaqah program.
For further information on how you can donate please click on Plant Your Seed.
Case One
Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Windsor community…
I pray you and your families are in the best state of health and eeman, insha'ALLAH.
I am reaching out to all of you to bring to your attention something that has been weighing heavily on my heart for quite some time. There is someone very close to me, who is truly IN NEED of help from our community. She is a NEW MUSLIM who embraced Islam a few months ago. I have personally known the sister for just over 6 years now. She is a single mother of 3; a 14 year old son, 12 year old and 6 ½ year old daughter. She has really been struggling emotionally/mentally as well as financially. She is on government assistance. I know the sister struggles to make the money she does get from social assistance last until the end of each month which is VERY DIFFICULT. She runs out of food on a REGULAR basis and really gets down on herself. She does not get any financial help what so ever from the children’s fathers. She does not like to ask for help. She is a VERY shy/quiet person and feels like a burden on others. She is really struggling emotionally... the pressures of being a single mom are taking a toll on her. She fears she is suffering from depression and feels she is failing as a mother, subhon'ALLAH.
Over the winter, the basement of her apartment flooded… destroying pretty much all of their clothing. The clothes they do have, she washes by hand every night for the kids for the following day, and dries them in front of the heat vent. She does not have even a simple luxury we all take for granted like a washer/dryer and is unable to afford cab rides as well as laundromat fees.
Her 13 year old son's room was in the basement and his futon mattress was also destroyed by mold from the flood. He now sleeps on the couch (which is in a horrible dirty condition). Her 12 year old and 6 ½ year old daughters share a SINGLE worn out mattress (no boxspring) on the floor. And she sleeps on a worn out mattress, also on the floor. For some this may not seem like a big deal but compounded by the fact her living conditions are very poor it makes things worse, subhon’ALLAH. I am going to do my best to help find her another apartment… insha'allah. One with all utilities included, to try and save her money, insha’ALLAH. It is also urgent that she gets away from her current neighbors who live above her (who abuse alcohol/drugs all hours of the night) and pose a danger to her children.
She sincerely needs our help. As I said... she has been Muslim now for only a short time… alhamdulillah… although, she has been learning about Islam since my husband and I converted, 4 years ago. She was our neighbor for many years and is an amazingly kind hearted person, masha’allah. I have introduced her to a few sisters in our community... but she gets ANXIETY meeting new people (I am her ONLY FRIEND). I pray that in time she will feel more comfortable, and embrace her new sisterhood… and to a larger extent… the UMMAH, insha’allah.
Please make dua for this sister and her children. As a new member of our community she is entitled to not only help with material things that is needed from us but also the best thing that could be given is our time and caring companionship as her new brothers and sisters in Islam. Given the social status of our city, this sister has greatly distanced herself from the common people and their activities since moving here almost 8 years ago. Not being socially active has taken a toll on the trust she has with people.
I pray, insha’ALLAH, we can all help our sister with her NEW transition as a member of our Muslim family.
May ALLAH (subhonahu wa ta’ala) continue to guide us and protect us and keep us steadfast in adhering to the path of truth and goodness. Aameen.
Your Sister In ISLAM,
Sr. Haniyya Dobsky
*UPDATE*
Since this case has been brought to our attention Seeds of Sadaqah and ISWA have helped secure a washer/dryer, box springs, and money for new clothes for the family in need. We are also planning on purchasing NEW mattresses for them as well through the Seeds of Sadaqah funds. Many thanks to the generous brothers and sisters of our great community who have helped in this effort. As mentioned in the above case, making money last until the end of the month is VERY DIFFICULT. There are MANY MORE things that this sister could use but however it is the LITTLE THINGS that add up financially. Attached below is a link of a list of random little household items that Sr. Hanniyya made of which many items can be purchased at local dollar stores. Anyone willing to donate money for the purchase of these items is asked to contact myself at jasmin_malik@hotmail.com. This sister is also doing without a phone line as she can not afford to have one. Anyone willing to donate to that is also asked to contact me.
1) Broom
2) Dust Pan
3) Mop
4) Bucket
5) Sponges (several)
6) Cleaning Rags (several)
7) Comet Cleanser (several)
8) All Purpose Cleaner (several)
9) Windex (several)
10) White Vinegar
11) Dish Soap (several)
12) SOS Pads (several)
13) Dish Towels (several)
14) Garbage Bags (several)
15) Kitchen Paper Towels (several)
16) Toilet Paper (several)
17) Toothpaste (several)
18) Toothbrushes
19) Mouthwash (several)
20) Toilet Brush
21) Water Can
22) Wash Cloths
23) Body Wash (several)
24) Soap Bars (for sensitive skin) (several)
25) Shampoo (several)
26) Conditioner (several)
27) Band Aids
28) Rubbing Alcohol
29) Peroxide
30) Q-tips (several)
31) Nail Cutter
32) Laundry Basket
33) Clothes Hangers (several)
34) Iron
35) Ironing Board
36) Laundry Detergent (several)
37) Bleach
38) Fabric Softener (several)
39) Lady's Deodorant (several)
40) Men's Deodorant (several)
41) Razors (several)
42) Body Lotion/Creme (several)
43) Vaseline
44) Hair Comb
45) Hair Brush
46) Light Bulbs (several)
47) Batteries (AA....AAA)
48) Scotch Tape
48) Masking Tape
49) Extension Cords
50) Safety Pins
51) Flash Light
52) Candles
53) Dish set
54) Other household items not listed
Your MONETARY donation would be appreciated so we can PURCHASE these household items for her.
Seeds of Sadaqah Team
Mother Trying to Reunite with her Children.
What if your child would be held captive in a different country? Yet if another child would be stranded in a refugee camp? How would you feel? Would you be able to sleep? Would you be able to eat when you suspect that they might not enjoy the same privilege?
At ISWA we are dealing with such a case this very month. A mother from our local Windsor community is desperately trying to reunite with her children. Her daughter is HELD in Africa as BOND for money that is owed to a doctor /hospital who treated the girl for mental illness. They will not release her until their medical expenses are covered. We have to raise 1500 dollars as soon as possible to be able to secure the RELEASE of the daughter. The money will be used for her release AND immigration costs. The mother is fighting to get her children in Canada. We can only speculate the internal feelings that a mother can have in such a situation. Please plant your seed for a change, donate to Seeds of Sadaqah to help our case this month.
Seeds of Sadaqah Team