Qurbani for 100 Deserving Deaf Families

Background:
The Deaf Welfare Awareness Foundation (DWAF) works to empower and support the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community across Pakistan. One of our goals is to ensure that no Deaf family feels excluded during important cultural and religious occasions due to their financial or communication limitations.

Project Overview:
To make Eid-ul-Adha 2025 memorable and inclusive, DWAF launched a special campaign with the support of kind-hearted donors. The aim was to reach out to 100 Deaf households with customized Eid gift packages, bringing not just material assistance, but also emotional support and a sense of community belonging.

Activities Conducted:

• Community Assessment: Identified 100 deserving Deaf families through our existing beneficiary database and field teams. Priority was given to single parents, daily wagers, and families with multiple Deaf members.

• Procurement & Packaging: Eid hampers were carefully curated, including:

  • Ration items (flour, rice, oil, sugar, tea, lentils, spices)

  • Eid treats (vermicelli, sweets, juices)

  • New clothes for children

  • Hygiene kits (soap, detergent, toothpaste)

• Distribution: Packages were distributed before Eid across Multan, Lahore, and surrounding rural areas by DWAF volunteers and interpreters. Special care was taken to ensure clear communication in sign language and respectful engagement.

Impact:

• 100 Deaf families received Eid gift hampers.

• Over 600 individuals indirectly benefited (including children, spouses, and elderly members).

• 95% of recipients were experiencing financial hardship.

• Many families reported that this was the first time in years they were able to celebrate Eid with dignity.

Human Story:
One of the most emotional visits was to the home of Sajida Bibi, a Deaf mother of three in rural Multan. Widowed and unemployed, Sajida communicated through her eldest daughter, also Deaf. She expressed how the package was not just food—it was hope. For the first time in years, she was able to prepare a proper Eid meal and dress her children in new clothes. Tears of joy and sign language expressions of gratitude from families like hers were the greatest reward.

Challenges Faced:

• Transportation to remote areas during Eid rush

• Communicating logistics with families having no access to phones or internet

• Rising costs of basic commodities

Acknowledgment:
This project was made possible by our generous donors, passionate team, and community volunteers. Your support created meaningful joy and inclusion during a time that often deepens the divide for marginalized families.

Next Steps:

• Expansion of the Eid support program to 200 families in the next phase

• Launching a Deaf livelihood project to promote long-term sustainability

• Regular donor updates with stories, photos, and feedback