By Shafeeq Hudawi, TwoCircles.net
Kozhikode: 65-year-od Ayisha (name changed) is alone in her house at Karassery in Kozhikode district of Kerala. The hexagenerian is unable to earn as various ailments stop her from working. But the holy month of Ramadan has brought a cheer to her family, thanks to the Indian Muslim Relief and Charities (IMRC). The food kit which she received from Mukkam Muslim Orphanage, through which IMRC has been holding its charity activities for past few decades, will help her easily survive for three or four months.
Inhabitants of a poor housing colony at Mukkam, where more than 40 underprivileged families are living, have various tales to narrate relating to the charity of IMRC. Like Ayisha, several families here also have been getting aid from IMRC during Ramadan.
“This year too IMRC has come in aid for us. IMRC’s programme lends us much relief,” said one of the residents here. .
This Ramadan, as part of its Ramadan charity initiatives, IMRC has allocated food kits for 1,000 underprivileged families in and around Mukkam. Kits were distributed to 400 families on June 23 while 300 families received Fitr Zakat kits from the orphanage on June 23.
Each Ramadan kit, which costs Rs. 1500, consists various food items in addition to 25 kilogram rice. Five kilogram rice is given in Fitr Zakat kit.
According to Mohammed Mon Haji, vice president of Mukkam Muslim Orphanage, the kits were distributed to families residing at Mukkam, Koodaranji, Kodiyathur, Pathanapuram, Karassery, Nellikkapparamba, Malamkunnu, Aanayamkunnu, Chathoth, Koolimadu and Chennamangaloor.
“Ahead of Ramadan, we list out the beneficiaries by holding a survey jointly with mosque committees in these localities,” says Mohammed Mon Haji.
Mohammed Mon Haji said 600 more food kits will be delivered to beneficiaries at a function, to be held at the orphanage on July 8.
IMRC has been active in relief and charity activities in the area by joining hands with Mukkam Orphanage. For more than last five years, poor families have been receiving relief from IMRC.
Last two years, food kits were distributed to 600 families. Besides, according to Mukkam Orphanage project coordinator Amal Abdulla, the organisation had delivered Rs. one lakh towards the expenses of Ifthar parties, organised by various mosques at Mukkam, Chennamangaloor, Manassery and Pathanapuram.
Last year, IMRC had organized medical camps at Mukkam and nearby areas as part of its seventh annual India Health Initiative. Free medical services were extended to around 1,000 patients through the social outreach programme of IMRC. Ten US doctors, practicing in internal medicine, family medicine, gynaecology, paediatrics, surgery, geriatrics and emergency medicine attended the medical camps.