I've raised £1150 to Help my mum provide Ramadan food packs for the less privileged in Sokoto state in Nigeria
Organised by Aisha Janki Akinola
Story
For the past 9 years, my mum has been feeding the poor and needy in her community by providing them with ready made iftar in the form of Hausa Koko (also know as millet porridge, Akamu and Eko mumu) and Kose (also called beans cake and Akara) . Last year, we began offering Jollof rice food packs as well and we are planning to continue to provide this annually.
During Last year's campaign, we were able to raise £1456, all thanks to your support and we fed over 50 young people each day. https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/edinburgh-students-plea-buy-food-20394566
There are many young and vulnerable people including “almajiri” - orphans who rely on the food packs for Iftar and even suhoor and with your support, you’ll enable my mum to continue the project this year and provide an initial meal for iftar and food packs with Jollof rice for diner.
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Whoever feeds a person who is breaking his fast will earn the same reward as him without anything being lessened from the reward of the fasting person”. (Tirmidhi)
And Allah (swt) says in the holy Quran "By no means shall you attain righteousness unless you give freely of that which you love, and whatever you give, Allah knows it well.” [Qur’an 3:92]
Here is the breakdown of the budget;
Bags of Sugar - 2 x 25,000 = 50,000
Bags of Millet - 2 x 25,000 = 50,000
Bags of Beans - 2 x 48,000 = 96,000
Bags of Rice - 5 x 25,000 = 125,000
Gallons of Vegetable Oil - 3 x 30,000 = 90,000
12.5kg of Cooking Gas - 5 x 7,500 = 37,500
Wages for 2 assistants* - 2 x 30,000 = 60,000
Seasoning and spices = 40,000
Vegetables - Fresh Tomatoes and Pepper - 36,000
Tupperware for packaging - 35,000
Total = 619,500 naira.
Based on the conversion rate of £1 to 538.26, the cost in pounds is 1,150.
Glossary of words
Koko is made of millet that is processed and cooked into a form of custard which we call “pap”
Koose is made of beans, pepper and seasoning that has been blended together and fried using oil.
Together they make a combo of staple food used traditionally by Muslims in Nigeria to break their fast during Iftar.
*My mum is in her 50s and due to her old age, she is unable to do all the chores herself. My sisters and I used to be the ones helping my mum with making the food but since the two of us are currently away in university, the entire workload has shifted to her.
With extra hands and help, she will be able to expand the project and create more food pack to help more people.
My mum’s shop is located really close to a junction and people gather there about two two hours before you break the fast.
