Ramadan is a month-long fast that signifies a time of spiritual upliftment and self-purification. Abstaining from food and drink during day time allows an individual to empathise with the people in need.
To help Muslim families referred by the Anglican Trust for Women and Children’s (ATWC) Family Start programme, students from Zayed College lead by ATWC social worker in schools Jasmine Faiza made food parcels for the needy.
“We received a generous donation of food from the Working Together Group (WTG), and it allowed us to make 44 food parcels for our clients,” Ms Faiza said.
“Ramadan is a time of reflection that highlights the struggles that many families face and we try to help contribute our part by giving food, a percentage of our earnings or savings as a charity to the people in need.”
Picture: Iftar food packets by Zayed College students
Jasmine Faiza is based at Zayed College & Al-Madinah School in Mangere and runs culturally appropriate programmes catering to the needs of the students and their parents. She runs a Facebook page ‘Muslim Aid Collective’ that offers support and education for the empowerment of the students.
“Creating programmes for my students that celebrate Muslim faith is important for my social work practice. Being a Muslim in New Zealand can be isolating for some migrants and refugee families. Uplifting young Muslim men and women and celebrating the Islamic faith is what I am passionate about as it helps build confidence and self-esteem in them.”
ATWC has committed to making connections between Muslim and non-Muslim service providers and in 2016 hosted the first ‘Muslim Aid Connections Day’ which brought together members of the Muslim community.
ATWC's CEO Judy Matai'a acknowledged that working more closely together is helping to provide the very best for the diverse communities.
“Making connections between Muslim and Non-Muslim service providers is important in building healthy paths to bridge gaps between the different religions and cultures,” Judy Matai’a said.
ATWC provides integrated family, early education and social work services and programmes, based in the homes, schools and communities, and helps to protect and nurture those most in need.