Give Ramadan Dates/Khajoor to Orphans in Pakistan

We are writing to you as we celebrate the last of the Eid-al-Fitr holidays and the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting for Muslims. Thanks to your generosity, we gifted 1000 orphans at 8 orphanages throughout Karachi. Boys and girls of all ages, the majority of whom were fasting. 

Each orphan got his or her own packet of khajoor. We distributed a little late this year, as most donations came in late. We request that you please donate early so that we can get the khajoor packets by first day Ramadan to all orphans. Nonetheless, your generosity was greatly appreciated and loved and enjoyed by all.

Thank you!

Ramadan Mubarak! To all of you fasting around the world, we wish you ease and peace. This is a very unsual year in that Pakistan, like much of the world, is under COVID-19 lockdown. That means that it is difficult to visit or cater to the needs of orphans, who are almost entirely fasting.  Our priority is to feed these orphans during Ramadan and this drive is for giving them khajoor (dates) to open their fasts.  

Thanks to you who have donated. We request all of you to spread the word and ask friends to donate so we can give dates to more orphans this year as they are more isolated then ever.  Due to social distancing, they cannot even open their fasts together.  But, these khajoor, give them a sense of unity and community.  

Our goal was to distribute on Saturday, 25th April 2020, first day of Ramadan 2020, but we are now planning to distribute throughout the month so that we can reach as many orphans as possible. We also are getting fresh donations so we plan to give them out this year to those most in need.

We will be sending updates and keeping you informed as this is our journey together.  We won't be taking photographs with orphans this year and they will be given the khajoor at separate times so they don't gather together. Their health and protection is our priority.

Thank you!

Giving in Ramadan is tradition. And it’s impact truly overwhelming. Thank you for helping us make so many children happy and be included in our Ramadan traditions like having khajoor. We’ve been visiting the orphanages and spending time with the children, learning their likes and preferences. “We like pizza,” stated 11 year old Adil (names changed as per GG policy), clenching his fists as if almost to protect his right to have a preference. Four other boys ranging in age from 8 to 12 chimed in, "Me too. Pizza."

That's when we realized the traditional way of feeding those in need biryani may have alternatives too like pizza or burgers on special occasions or every once in a while.

We also have an opportunity - with your help - to distribute dates next year to all children orphans  lof SOS Villages Pakistan all over the nation. This is a massive impactful project and we would welcome major contributions from you and every one you know. But imagine the impact. Imagine how simple coordination and delivery could transform joy, create inclusion and bring Ramadan's blessings, not just requirements to so many.

In order to make this happen, we need to start presiding from now. Making alliances with corporations and building funds to order and allocate for necesssry items and logistics.

But imagine the impact.

Imagine the impact of what began with you. You being a part of this. So please start giving monthly under our recurring programme for Ramandan 2020. Whether you start with $10 a month or $1000 a month, imagine your impact.

Thank you!

we also have anAs we focus on our goal of distributing these dates on Ramadan 2020, starting Friday, 24 April 2020 (estimated), we are fundraising so we can gear up for a major distribution drive. Some of you are asking us why donate now when there is time. Also, some people feel its better to give the donation during Ramadan, not in advance. So, we wanted to focus this report on our vision and how to make your donation more impactful. If all 7 of those in this group donated $15 every Friday the whole year, that would be $105 a week. 27 weeks from now, Ramadan will begin and $2835 will be raised and 3 1/2 orphanages will have supply for Ramadan every day for the entire month! This token amount weekly becomes impactful. From a religious point of view, it is feeding those and the feeding will take place in Ramadan even if the donations are consistent throughout the year. How beautiful is that. Lend a hand and see the joy unfold.

It's amazing how much joy was spread by this campaign during Ramadan. Not only were orphans - some of the most neglected persons in society - fed and cherished and sent love, but there was a connection between them and the larger community, the humanity of the world.  Sometimes just knowing you are seen, that is, people know you are alive and exist, is enough to keep someone going in a cold, tough world.

Aisha, 11, said it best.  "This is for me!" she exclaimed in Urdu.  "Really! Really!  Really!"  Her excitement was worth all the facilitation, coordination that went into making this happen.  

The greatest joy is being able to put a smile on a face, particular a face that doesn't usually have a reason to smile.

As we focus on our goal of distributing these dates on Ramadan 2020, starting Friday, 24 April 2020 (estimated), we are fundraising so we can gear up for a major distribution drive. Some of you are asking us why donate now when there is time. Also, some people feel its better to give the donation during Ramadan, not in advance.

So, we wanted to focus this report on our vision and how to make your donation more impactful.

If all 7 of those in this group donated $15 every Friday the whole year, that would be $105 a week.  27 weeks from now, Ramadan will begin and $2835 will be raised and 3 1/2 orphanages will have supply for Ramadan every day for the entire month!  

This token amount weekly becomes impactful.  From a religious point of view, it is feeding those and the feeding will take place in Ramadan even if the donations are consistent throughout the year.  How beautiful is that.

Lend a hand and see the joy unfold.