IMAM SAJJAD (AS) ORPHANAGE 

Background

The Madressa started twenty years ago in 1998 in the Hajira neighbourhood close to the Zainabiyya area; where most of the Hawzas are located. With the help of many kind donors, we acquired a property in 2006 and stayed there until 2011 where we ran regular courses including summer courses which were attended by students from various communities. 

When the war started in 2011, the Hajira area was occupied with most of the area being destroyed, leading to many Shia families and students being displaced and is currently regarded as a no-go area. Many moved into Zainabiyya. Alhamdulillah with the help of some Momineen we were able to rent a place at a minimum rent paid by the donors and a highly subsidised rent by the landlord. After four years we were asked to vacate. 

Subsequently, we moved into the current property near Zainabiyya which is very small, but we had to continue to support the orphans and very needy families. Majority of the orphans come from the families whose fathers have been martyred in protecting the Shrine of Sayyeda Zainab AS. 

We currently provide the following support:

•  Facilities for 209 orphans and needy children in the orphanage, from 92 families. 
•  Provide monthly financial support to the families of every student attending the madressa. 
•  Provide clothes and food including rice and cooking oil. 
•  Donation depending, provide Eid gifts, Ramadhan support and winter support (including winter clothes and blankets). 

 Imam Sajjad AS Orphanage Building Project

Aim and Objective

Our main aim and objective to build such a facility is to provide the orphans and needy children with secular and religious education and to empower and assist the widows in building a good future for their children.

Current Position

The land was acquired with the help of a donor and work has already commenced. The current plan is to build over five floors with priority to complete four floors at the earliest.The basement is due to complete Inshallah by end of April 2018 with the ground floor construction scheduled for completion in the next 3 months. 

The intention of this multi-purpose facility is as follows: 

1. Classes for Children

Provide classes throughout the year to supplement school education in the subjects of Maths, English, IT, Fiqh, Akaid, Tareekh, Seerah, Akhlaq. This includes five class rooms for boys (114 boys) and five class rooms for girls (95 girls) located in the first and second floor of the building. There will also be a library and IT facilities within the above 2 floors.

2. Classes for Widows

To provide Hawza Services for widows. We currently have a group of experienced female teachers who will be helping in facilitating daily Hawza classes for the widows and to empower them by increasing their religious and secular knowledge so that they can bring up the orphans in the best way possible.This will be done through a combination of secular studies/skills-based courses to support widows, including English, IT and other vocational training like sewing or other suitable professions they may wish to undertake. 

3. Kindergarten Facility

This facility will be provided mainly for the orphans whose mothers will be attending daily Hawza classes. 

4. Funds Required

£50,000/$70,000This will cover the building costs for the children and widows’ classes on the first and secondfloor as described above. 

5. Maintenance Costs

At present our running costs are around £1400/$2000 per month. Our costs in the new facilityare expected to be around £2200/$3,000 per month. 

We hope you will join us by taking part in this noble cause and make a difference to the lives of the orphans and needy children and their families who have made a huge sacrifice in protecting our Holy Shrines in Sham. 

With Salams and Duas

Imam Sajjad (AS) Orphanage