Mother-of-three Haraira has always believed Eid must be a happy day, and a time for celebration. Raising her three sons by herself in Kenya following the death of her husband Mohamud ten years ago, she explains how it is a day of spreading joy and making others happy.
So much so, that she doesn’t let her challenges overshadow her blessings.
Due to a disability, Haraira, 45, often requires assistance from her neighbours, as she is unable to fetch water for her family.
The drought in Kenya has affected the prices of essential food items such as sugar and flour, making it increasingly challenging for her to provide meals for her family.
With conflict and the additional outbreak of disease, droughts are having a particularly devastating impact on local communities.
At one point, Haraira’s community had to pool their resources to buy water collectively, as individual affordability became a pressing issue, but she herself was unable to afford to put money towards buying the water.
In addition, Haraira is unable to work outside the home, so she keeps herself busy with household chores – sometimes relying on her neighbour’s daughter for help around the house.
Photo: Haraira busies herself with household chores as she is unable to work outside the home.
Facing challenges and obstacles
Explaining her longing for a daughter, she adds how she has faced tremendous loss in her life, losing three children at ages 8, 7, and merely a few days old, in the last 20 years.
Her greatest hope is for her remaining sons — who range from ages 12 to 19 — to have a better life and access to education. She dreams of them becoming teachers and doctors so they can contribute to society and help others, and one day, fulfill her deepest desire — to take her to Hajj.
Haraira manages to pay for her children’s school fees with help from Islamic Relief, however, she sometimes struggles to afford necessary items and has to rely on credit.
Sometimes, she finds herself having to fast to ensure her family has enough to eat, adding how she was turned away from the shop during our visit. She explains:
We were refused food this morning from the shop and I won’t be able to cook lunch for the children. I have not cooked lunch and tonight I may not cook supper.
On instances when the family has nothing to eat, Haraira mentions that her children are understanding and resort to drinking water before going to sleep: “My children are patient. They are patient,” she adds.
Islamic Relief provides a lifeline
Despite her challenges, Haraira remains grateful for her ability to overcome them with the help of Allah.
During Ramadan last year, she found solace in the support she received from Islamic Relief, which provided food packs for her family, as well as the Orphan Sponsorship Programme, which helps to provide vulnerable children access to education, healthcare and nourishment – transforming the lives of tens of thousands of children across the world.
These moments of assistance give her hope and encouragement, which was especially appreciated during Eid al-Adha last year. “Eid day is one of my happiest days,” explains Haraira, adding that her favourite part of the day was attending the Eid Salah, and collecting her Qurbani meat through Islamic Relief’s Quality Assured Qurbani programme.
Photo: Following Eid salah, Haraira picked up a meat pack through Islamic Relief’s Qurbani programme in Kenya.
The impact of your Qurbani donations
In her makeshift kitchen, constructed from old corrugated iron sheets, Haraira cut the meat with the help of a kind neighbour before boiling it with some oil and a few spices, and serving it with plain rice for her eagerly-waiting sons.
Photo: After eagerly awaiting their Qurbani meat, Haraira’s sons enjoy their Eid meal.
“The other days we rarely get meat, but today I am so happy we have it,” she beams, reflecting on how this Eid was different from previous years.
This brought immense happiness to her and her children, emphasising the profound impact of Qurbani meat on their lives.
With your support, in 2023 Islamic Relief was able to carry out and distribute nearly 20,000 Qurbanis in Kenya, reaching 230,796 people. The programme provides meat to tens of thousands of disadvantaged families around the world, whose only meat source this year will be your Qurbani donation.
Haraira extends her heartfelt gratitude to the donors who donated this Qurbani and sends her warm greetings and prayers.
Help families like Haraira’s and donate your Qurbani with Islamic Relief today.
