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ISL AMIC RELIEF CANADA PRESENTS

follow your donation stories

U N B R E A K A B L E S P I R I T S | F IRS T E D I T I O N

UNBREAKABLE SPIRITS | FIRST EDITION

ISLAMIC RELIEF CANADA | FOLLOW YOUR DONATION STORIES

Table of Contents 3

Foreword

Introduction

Heart

Home

Spirit

Dreams

Sheroes

Heroes

Follow Your Donation

UNBREAKABLE SPIRITS | FIRST EDITION

ISLAMIC RELIEF CANADA | FOLLOW YOUR DONATION STORIES

Foreword

We started because of the need. And really there was no plan. It was simply the image. People in the hundreds of thousands, dying from famine… It moved me and my colleagues to action. In 1984 we did not have an office. There was no boardroom, to sit down and discuss and communicate and read. We just had a small donation box on the wall. We did not have any employees. They were all volunteers… But the most important thing in these first few years, was our focus on the needs of the people. Islamic Relief started from simple beginnings with a £0.20 donation. Now, by the grace of God, you help us bring joy to the lives of millions. – Dr. Hany El Banna Founder, Islamic Relief

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introductioN

On this fulfilling path of delivering your donations to some of the most vulnerable people all around the world, we often find ourselves in such a privileged position. To be able to take someone by the hand during their most difficult moments, and bring them hope and relief. And yet, the true privilege is something we get in return, that is being able to witness the richness of their souls. All across the world, deep within communities in over 40 countries, we are graced by countless moments of

connection and remarkable examples of inspiration and strength. In those moments, despite their circumstances, despite how broken they might be, their character, their smile, and their story shines through it all. This is what we want to share with you in this first edition of the Follow Your Donation Stories magazine. Through these stories, you can meet some of the people you impacted through your support. Their determination, strength of character, positive outlook and sacrifice will both move and inspire you.

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HEART Stories that tug at your heartstrings, and make you appreciate what you may be taking for granted.

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The Isolation of Old Age Omanovic, 88 Bosnia

The Bosnian War lasted from 1992 - 1995. Hundreds of thousands of lives were taken, and nearly half the country was displaced. Many families fled as refugees to escape the conflict, what we now know was a genocide. But after the violence ended, many people, like Omanovic Hanife and her husband, made the decision to return. Because after all, Bosnia was home. “We lost everything we had in the Bosnian War. Our house was destroyed and our son was killed in one of the camps. We were made refugees and only returned here in 2002. Even then we lived in a tent for six months. It was the help of good people that allowed us to rebuild our home.” After three years of war, the Bosnian economy was in shambles. Jobs were hard to find, and as a result Omanovic’s three children were unable to stay with their parents. Many of

them ended up moving to cities for better prospects. At first, it worked out. “But now we are in our old age and have no money,” Omanovic tells us. “My husband is a pensioner and we mostly survive from his pension. But this income is mostly spent on medicines and paying our bills. It is impossible for us to afford meat even though it is affordable at the market.” “We have always had to live a hard life, but now it’s even more difficult as we are old and sick and not able to look after ourselves. Due to the war, our neighbours are no longer here and our children are struggling in other cities. Seldom do people come and visit us now.” Due to the tough economy, their children are barely able to make a living for themselves in the city. At the

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time we visited her, all of her children were unemployed. The isolation that comes with old age is even more pronounced for this couple. “Eid al-Adha is a time when the family is together, but this has not been the case for us for many years.” She tells us that oftentimes, the Islamic Relief staff are the only visitors they get for months. Even so, they don’t let their circumstances get them down. They remain optimistic in the help of Allah through good people. “Without the help of good people, we would not be able to taste meat at all. We place our trust in Allah. We’d like to thank everyone who participates in this good work. May Allah reward you all.”

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HOME Stories about home, the land where it resides, and the struggles to keep it sustainable.

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A Farmer’s Land Brings Prosperity and Hope Halima, 40 Kenya

No one values their relationship with the land more than farmers. But when repeated cycles of drought and flooding devastate the land, it can be so disheartening. Halima is part of a 20-member farmers group in Kenya, mentored and supported by Islamic Relief. She’s the sole breadwinner in her family, and that means she’s had to lead her family through difficult times. She often had to rely on food aid to make ends meet when conditions were really tough. Previously, Halima was surviving on subsistence farming. That meant she was only producing enough food to feed her own family through her land, with not much if anything left over to make an income. Not only that, the watering methods were extremely labour intensive and demanded a lot of water - which was already scarce in the region.

Kenya is extremely vulnerable to climate-dependent factors like rainfall, fluctuating temperatures, and extreme weather events like tropical storms. Consecutive years of drought, famine, and tropical storms have devastated the livestock in countries across the region. The numbers are devastating – 3.4 million people are still food insecure in Kenya. Halima was struggling to produce enough food to keep her family fed throughout the year. In an area stricken with drought, the yield was often disappointingly low. She couldn’t even dream of selling any surplus harvest and sending her children to school. As the sole earner in her family, she knew she had to turn this adversity into an opportunity. Farmers like Halima, who look to the future, are trying out new methods and techniques that can cut down

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the water usage and related water pump fuel costs that will help them grow more crops. The new methods cut down water usage by 80% while delivering more than 100% increase in crop yield. Halima was dedicated to creating positive change. She joined Islamic Relief’s farmer group, which would pool their resources to introduce new technologies. The technology allowed them to produce higher-valued crops at much larger yields. Through her willingness to learn, she is now a business farmer with high value crops.

at very minimal costs and low water consumption. Halima is now the most resilient and determined member of the farmers group. “I want to change my life and that of my children by farming using the new technology. With commitment, determination and hard work, I believe I will start a new page in my life and can see a prosperous life ahead, despite my age,” said the enthusiastic Halima.

She has also been able to add other sources of income from herding cattle, making mats and even selling groceries from the farm at a small table outside her house, in order to provide for her five children. Her life and that of her family has changed as they are now generating income

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SPIRIT Stories about people overcoming impossible circumstances and obstacles. Those who go the distance and keep a positive outlook when they have every reason not to.

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Ibrahimâ€™s Sacrifice for His Family Ibrahim, 22 Palestine

Many times, we have to make tough decisions for those we love. The people of Palestine have been sacrificing for years. We want to bring you the story of Ibrahim, who had to make tough decisions from a young age. Ibrahim lives with his two sisters and mother in Palestine. From the very beginning, he watched his father trying hard to make ends meet. His father had struggled many years through school to become a qualified accountant. But the lack of employment opportunities meant he could only find work as a taxi driver. Steady employment remains an issue across the West Bank and Gaza, where recently the unemployment rates were respectively 15% and 43%. These conditions make it hard for the people of Palestine to find steady sources of income. The situation is even worse for

students and fresh graduates. So Ibrahim only knew a life of struggle from the very beginning. He watched his father do anything possible to provide for his family. When his father passed away from a heart attack, Ibrahim knew he had to step up. He was just 9 years old. Much too young, Ibrahim became the head of the household. With incredible strength of spirit, he sacrificed his educational priorities to fulfill the healthcare needs of his mother, who suffers from heart problems. When he should have been going to school just like any other 4th grader, he started working long hours at a gas station. He wanted his sister to continue her studies and become a doctor. He was determined to give her the opportunities he never had. Just when things looked like they

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would never get better, support came at the right time. At the age of 22, Ibrahim is now able to afford his own education as well as his sisters’. At the same time his mother’s health care needs are taken care of and cannot be more grateful. His hard work and sacrifice has helped his family step out of the cycle of poverty.

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DREAMS Stories that capture the dreams and visions of people who continue to strive for the impossible.

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An Education For A Better Life Anissa, 23 Indonesia

Indonesia is an emerging market and has worked to bring it’s poverty level down to single-digits in 2018, a huge accomplishment. But, the vast population in Indonesia means that 25 million people still live below the poverty line, with some areas more affected than others. Even so, young women like Anissa continue to strive for a better life. Anissa lives with her mother, and her family relies on her mother’s daily wage as a farm field labourer. Despite her mother’s job, the family cannot survive with her income. Anissa realised this from a young age and decided that she would do everything she can to help her mother. Her dream was that one day, her family would no longer be trapped by poverty. Anissa saw her education as the key to changing their life. So she dedicated herself to school and working hard,

and it paid off. Eventually she was able to enroll in university. However, despite this milestone, Anissa still faced tremendous hurdles. The university is 120 kilometers from her school. On a good day, it takes Anissa at least 2 hours to reach her university. But, the time and distance weren’t the problem for her. It was the cost that was slowly becoming prohibitive for her family to support. Anissa’s financial struggles meant that sometimes she would have to miss class, even risk dropping out because the burden was too much some months. But, Anissa did not give up. She sought help wherever she could, and that is how she found Islamic Relief. She learned that they provide financial support and opportunities to help young adults and families lift themselves out of poverty. And the support she receives now has helped

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change her life for the better. With financial assistance and mentorship, Anissa can afford to continue going to school without worrying how her mother will struggle to make ends meet. Even though the road ahead is still not an easy one, Anissa is studying sociology as a major, and is determined to finish her university degree and become a teacher after she graduates. Every day, she continues to strive towards her dream.

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SHEROES Stories of women who carried a community, group or idea forward, our saviours and keepers.

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No Circumstance Can Stop A Mother Zenab, 27 Chad

Women are often the most overlooked members of society. Their rights are denied, their education is not prioritized, and still they rise. And it is their sacrifices and hard work that propel many families and communities forward. Zenab is one such woman. Zenab was born in Nigeria, and so was her husband. But like many Nigerians, she had to flee her home to escape the threats of extremist groups. Over the past seven years, 2.3 million people have been displaced by the threat of violence in Nigeria. Hundreds of thousands have fled to neighboring Cameroon, Niger, or Chad to find safety. This is where Zenab also ended up seeking refuge. Sadly, she lost many loved ones in the process. “I was born and raised in Nigeria, as was my late husband who was a fisherman. My husband and my father were killed by an attack from

extremist groups. At the time I was pregnant with my last child. Before that we lived peacefully in my family home, and since then I do not know where my mother and siblings are.” Despite the loss of so many family members, Zenab continues to put her young family of five children first. As the head of her household, she struggles to provide for them and tries to find work wherever she can. Despite her harrowing circumstances, Zenab remains thankful for the blessings she continues to count. “I clean homes and wash clothes to earn some income and sometimes some generous people will give me their remaining food so I can take it home for my children. It is by the grace of Allah that my five children and I are surviving.” But still, it’s difficult for this refugee

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mother to support her large family on an unstable income. She sees the gap between what her children need and what she can provide. “Due to my limited income I do not even think about eating meat. It is costly and I cannot afford it. My children look weak and their health is not like that of other children around us, I know this is because they don’t get any meat to eat.”

meat we receive will help me and my children for two weeks. I am going to cut it into pieces and cook some of it right away. The rest I will dry, so we can save it and have it on other days. I would like to thank Allah, and thank those who are helping us on this blessed day.”

She finds joy in the Eid celebrations that Muslims take part in every year, and is especially touched to receive the gifts of meat from Qurbani and Udhiya. “Eid al-Adha, we used to call it Eid al-Kabir (the big Eid), is one of the happiest days for all of my brothers and sisters in Islam. It’s a time when even the neediest of people like us can find something to celebrate. The

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HEROES Stories of men who carried a community, group or idea forward, our saviours and keepers.

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Due to recent escalations in violence in Syria, our team in Idlib is currently trying to uphold key operations while at the same time keeping themselves and their family safe. That’s why we can’t provide a photo of Nebras in this edition of the magazine. It’s a reminder of how serious the situation in Syria still remains. We ask for your prayers for relief in this region. 26

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Remembering A Fallen Hero Nebras, 27 Syria

It can be so difficult to see your country and your home fall into chaos before your very eyes. When the Syrian war erupted in 2011, nobody could have guessed that the country would still be trapped in conflict 9 years later. Since then, at least 470,000 Syrians have died as a result of war and 6.6 million people are internally displaced, with an additional 5 million as refugees in neighboring countries. However, one young man decided to stay. At the age of 27 years old, Nebras Elhelow risked his life every day to deliver aid amidst Syria’s brutal conflict. He had cut short his university studies to devote himself to humanitarian relief across his home region of northern Hama. He joined Islamic Relief, where he continued to try and help as many of his fellow countrymen as he could.

A dedicated Islamic Relief volunteer, Nebras spent his nights working on construction sites and in bakeries to cover his basic living expenses, so that he could help others during the day. He lived with his wife in a single room in an abandoned building. There were many such families there, driven from their homes by the violence and seeking refuge where they could. It wasn’t much, but it was still home. Nebras and his wife tried to lead an ordinary life despite their extraordinary circumstances. But the failing infrastructure meant they were playing the odds. Sadly their only child, Shaam, died at just three weeks old. The healthcare system was close to collapse and her illness could not be treated. The couple were frequent visitors to his parents’ home. That’s where they were there one day in 2015, when

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an airstrike came just as Nebras prepared to head out to an emergency aid distribution. Nebras sustained massive injuries. He survived the airstrike initially, but both his legs were amputated, and tragically he lost his fight for life shortly afterwards.

work endlessly for the sake of others. May Allah accept and bless them immensely for their efforts.

The name ‘Nebras’ means ‘role model’, which could not be more fitting. He lives on in our hearts because he was an outstanding person – energetic, selfless, bravely serving the people he loved in the face of a brutal and unrelenting conflict. Islamic Relief workers operate in some of the world’s most fragile areas. And while we have a comprehensive security policy and rigorous procedures to protect our staff and volunteers, we sadly cannot prepare for every possibility. This story is a tribute to so many of our brave volunteers and workers that

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The Journey Follow Your Donation is primarily a video series, that you can watch through regular episodes throughout the year. But it is also more than that. It is blogs, reports, stories, emails and publications like this one. It is an entire approach to elevate your experience as a donor with Islamic Relief Canada, so that you can truly know the difference your donation makes. Our Follow Your Donation initiative started in 2019 with the goal of strengthening the relationship between our donors and beneficiaries, and maintaining a high level of transparency. Every donation we receive is more than just a transaction, it is a gift given with care and hope, as well as a means to uplift and heal. By taking you on a journey into the world of your donations, we hope that you will see the incredible impact you have on real people all around the world.

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YOUR DONATION IN ACTION This is what our distribution process looks like

1 Beneficiary We work with the poorest of the poor and those who are most vulnerable in the face of conflict and disaster.

Needs Assessment Our case workers, staff and volunteers in our field offices around the world are trained to do a careful needs assessment and ensure equity between our beneficiaries.

Project Proposal The field offices carefully put together project proposals to meet the needs of our beneficiaries, and submit them to Islamic Relief Worldwide to request funding.

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4 Fundraising Throughout the year, and especially in Ramadan, Islamic Relief Canada collects Zakat and donations to continuously fund projects that assist the poorest of the poor.

Your Donation in Action Your support reaches our beneficiaries in the form of emergency aid, medical care, school tuition, water wells, community gardens, shelter, nutrition, and so many other forms of hope.

5 Sending Funds Once donations are collected, we allocate funds to those project proposals by wiring the money to Islamic Relief Worldwide to send to the field offices for immediate implementation.

7 Your Impact Once our beneficiaries receive your support, our work is not over with them. We make sure they continue to receive other forms of support, until they are self-sufficient.

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