As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

It's been a while! long enough that I've even missed blogging and reading the blogs I used to frequent - will try and get back to that.

I have been productive though!
It all started when I was helping the Sunrise Rotary Club sew fabric sanitary pads for the school girls in the Dominican Republic. After seeing how awesome the project - my mom suggested we make some for the Syrian refugees too. Between the Muslim Moms of Durham Region, four ladies in Mississauga, the non-profit organization Fiysabiylillah, donations from Joyce, Meghan and the store Lingerie 4 U - we were able to complete that project. AlhumduliLlah.

I hope this post encourages others to make them, and send them to women around the globe that need them. It's something not many people thing of, but is very much needed. I hope to carry on this project, and help others - if you're interested in joining me, or can help with donations please contact me.

Here is the pattern we used, if the link doesn't work - please email me directly at amtullah79@yahoo.ca
Pattern and Instructions

We managed to make 234 kits all together. Each kit had one shield, five liners and one underwear.









Thanks to all the members of the Muslim Moms in Durham for their donations, sewing help, encouragement and financial help.

Labels: help, sewing

As-salaamu'alaykum wa RahmatuLlahi wa Barakatuhu

Just an update!!
Remember that $200 we (you and I) were putting together to feed the needy in Kenya, during the month of Ramadaan...well, we collectively sent a total of $2223.32 (in Canadian - US/UK converted)

The amount we collected is enough to feed 200 people for the entire month of Ramadaan, insha'Allah. 



May Allah reward all those who helped (in some way or another), with the very best in this world and in the next. Ameen.

You guys are awesome!! xx

Labels: help

Labels: help

As-salaamu'alaykum wa RahmatuLlahi wa Barakatuhu

Ramadaan is around the corner and I know everyone will be date shopping (like the fruit..lol)... I'm adding a jpeg below for you to print out and take shopping of a list of brands that you should NOT be buying. These are on the Israeli boycott list. Most don't say where they are from on the package so please be aware, and let others know.

.....it's a small part we can play to make a difference.


Thank you! May Allah reward you for your efforts. Ameen.

Labels: help

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

I'd like to tell you about an orphanage in Mombasa, Kenya. They have 51 children there. Out of those, 6 orphans remaining and these six kids are in tahfeed (special school for memorizing the whole Quran), it is a boarding school so the fees will include their food and living expenses for the whole year. These children memories an average of 7 Juzu’ per year and some even up to 11 Juzu’

The average total fees for both school and Qur'an school, food and living expenses is per child is $356 (per year)




PLEASE help out with as much you can, and let others know.

To donate contact these people:
Mpesa No. +254 722792749
Tanzania: Tigo Pesa the number is +255652414431.

If you need a paypal address or Western Union info, just email me (amtullah79@yahoo.ca) and I'll get you the info.

But whatever thing you spend [in His cause] - He will compensate it; and He is the best of providers." 34:39 

Labels: help

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

What's everyone up to?? I've discovered a new love...felt!! I know, it's been around for ages and there was a time everyone was into making things with it...I'm a little behind, but I love it.

I just made a postcard for an elderly lady in the UK, who stays in a nursing home there. A lovely friend of mine told me about her, and took the initiative of getting sisters together to send postcards to her. May Allah reward her for her good intentions and deeds. Ameen.

So ya, it was wayyyyyyyyy to cold to go postcard hunting here, so I just made it!


I first worked on the felt. I used whatever I had on hand (no white felt) so yarn for the 'snow' and beads for the snowflakes. Then the back, I used two pieces of cardstock, so it's really sturdy and glued it to the felt before doing a blanket stitch all round.

The moose isn't exactly my design, the inspiration came from here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/25565902@N04/7447878326/

Will post up my other 'projects' soon!
Anyone else who's worked with felt, all tips and ideas are welcome!!

xx

Labels: help, sewing

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

AlhumduliLlah, this will be the third time WE are sponsoring a child during Ramadaan (for a year).

This year we will be sponsoring a  7year old girl from Haiti, insha'Allah.

Project Description: To sponsor a child for a year, as a group. It will cost a total of $360 (Canadian).
I'm looking for a total or 36 people to pay $10 each.
Please DO NOT donate more than $10 (unless there is more than 1 participant) - so others have the opportunity to reap the rewards, insha'Allah.
....this is a great project to get your children involved in.



Are you ready to make your Ramadaan different this year?

Before donating please make sure have the correct intention, (ie: to do it to please Allah).

Note: As a sponsor you will receive a profile of the child, and have permission to write/send cards, etc. to the child. (I'm still awaiting a correct address)

If you you have any questions/concerns, email me at amtullah79@yahoo.ca 


Participants to date: 27


Jazak;Allahu khair.

Labels: help, love

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

I'm so happy to be starting 2013 with a book project!!! AlhumduliLlah. Here is yet another opportunity for you and I to put a little joy in a child's life.

It is not an accident you're reading this... but a blessing!



Project Details: To collect books (new or in good condition) for a travelling library in Algeria!! The books will be shared with children at orphanages, hospitals, schools and those in the community.



How WE can help:
1) Send books directly to the UK, which will be shipped to Algeria.
Algerian Action
85 Clementina Road
London, E10 7LT
U.K.

2) Donate money, and I'll purchase the books and send them. $4 might not get you an awesome book, but funds combined can.
--------------- we are no longer accepting donations!

Age Group:
Babies to teens - 0 to 14 years old
Books can be English, French or Arabic


Resources:
- This project is through Algerian Action. Please check out there website for other projects.
- Book Depository: Shipping is free from this site.
- Amazon Wish List


PLEASE share this project with others.
From my side (i.e: this blog) I'd like to send at least 200 books. Below I'll list titles, so we don't really repeat things. Let me know what books you send - so I can add them.

Labels: help

All praise is due to Allah who gave us this opportunity to help others, gave us the resources and allowed us to complete this project.

Our goal was to raise $2,540. We managed to raise $2,865 for the month of Ramadaan.
Insha'Allah that money will be used towards 15 braille Qur'ans, 50 braille Yasins, 50 braille Muqaddams, and to help with the braille tafsir project.



If anyone would like to continue to help with this project, please join their FaceBook group: "Braille Quran Initiative"
You are also free to contact me anytime, if you need further details to donate fund.


 Insha'Allah I would like to run this project next year again, please keep checking here (this blog) for details, or sign-up here to know about future projects: Sign Up


Thank you so much to everyone who helped in whatever way they could. I appreciate it very much, and keep you all in my prayers. May Allah grant you the very best in this world and in the next. Ameen.

Labels: help

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

Where do you find halal vanilla essence from? I get this question so often, it is about time I do a post about it. Sorry for not doing one sooner.

Before I start... let me state for the non-Muslims that visit my blog. Muslims are prohibited from consuming alcohol, this includes the amount you'll find in most vanilla essences. I'm sure you'll find someone who'll justify consuming it by saying it evaporates while baking, or the amount is not enough to intoxicate you - that's between them and God. I personally stay away from it.

This is mainly for Canadian readers, because it's much easier finding halal vanilla essence in the US.
You will need to read labels (even on the ones listed below - as some companies change things from time to time)


Brand: Guyanese Pride
Found: Most Caribbean stores
Price: $4 (approx.)
Note: Do not get "mixed essence" - the label is similar but it tastes different.
Taste: I like this one, it's one of my favorites.







Brand: Trader Joe's
Found: This is for the US people. You should find it at most Trader Joe's.
Price: ...not sure, someone bought it for me.
Taste: Pretty good.


PURE Vanilla - not the fake stuff listed above, for those special occasions
Brand: Pure Ground Vanilla beans Madagascar
Found: Canadian website: Vanilla Food Company
Price: listed on site
Taste: Like vanillaaaaaaaaaaaa....haha



I hope this helps some of you. If you have further questions or know of other brands in Canada please let me know, as yummy goodies are always being baked here!

Labels: help, recipes

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu 

Labels: help, reflection

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

In April, Our Little Book Keepers were running a project, to collect and distribute books to the rural areas in Malaysia. AlhumduliLlah it's SO wonderful to see the children receive the books.
Here are a few follow-up pictures of where the books you donated went.

Labels: help

the ZAMBIAN ORPHANAGE needs YOUR help

Donations in new or excellent condition  .  For boys ages 6-13  .  40 children but rapidly increasing

. Bicycles
. Scooters, rollerblades, skateboards
. Fictional Books: step books, early readers, story books
. Sports Equipment: soccer balls, footballs, baseballs, basketballs
. Educational Toys: jigsaw puzzles, colouring books, crosswords/word searches, board games
. School Supplies: pencils, pencil crayons, markers, paints, crafts, etc.
. Classroom Aids: multiplication charts, skeleton, pocket charts, etc.
. Projector for classroom
. Computers and flat screen monitors (only) - new or in excellent condition
. Warm blankets - must be new
. Cash donations for bookshelves and shipping costs

Deadline: September 15th, 2012

Labels: help, zambia

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

AlhumdulilLlah, the book drive to help out the children at the Makeni orphanage in Zambia (Lusaka) was pretty successful.
We managed to collect:
- 9 large boxes of books in the UK, thanks to SmartArk.
- 12 large boxes of books were collected in the States (Maryland), thanks to Masjid IRHSCA
- 39 boxes of books were collected in Canada (Ontario), thanks to schools like IIT, homeschooling moms and Al-Falah Islamic School

The UK delivery only took two weeks to reach its destination...so we managed to get a video of the children with the books. It's heart-warming to watch..but still doesn't fully capture just how happy and grateful the children (and teachers) are to receive the books.





Please pass on the clip to others, and help up continue to help the orphans.
Jazakum'Allahu khair to all those that helped.



Insha'Allah we have a few up coming projects we are working on. If you can help us out in ANYWAY possible, please let me know.
For the next shipment we'd like to collect:
- Bicycles
- Computers (with flat screen monitors)
- Educational toys
- Board Games
- Story books (not text books, etc.)

Labels: help, zambia

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuh

I have a few new pictures to share of the wonderful children (tabarak'Allah) from the Zambian Orphanage.

Please join us on FaceBook where we have updated info: Zambian Orphanage
... and let others know.



The book drive is just amazing so far! AlhumduliLlah. Thank you everyone for your help, effort, prayers and support. May Allah reward you with the best in this world and in the next. Ameen.

Labels: help, zambia

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

Brother Suleman visited the Zambian orphanage about a month ago. Here are a few pictures from his collection I'd like to share with you.

Labels: help, zambia

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

AlhumduliLlah, we are given another opportunity to help others.

This project is to collect much needed books for an orphanage in Zambia, Africa.
It's a project that's very close to my heart because it's located in an area where I grew up, because I love children, and because my uncle is the one running this orphanage. Although he's busy, and not very tech-savvy (okay, no at all), I'm determined to help as much as I can from my end (Canada).. and insha'Allah I hope you'll join me.



Details of project: Collect NEW and USED books. Islamic and secular books in all subjects. Ages 5 years old to College students.
Suggestions: Arts and Crafts, Trades, Math, Sciences, English, Arabic, Mechanics, Computers (current).

Book drive in YOUR area? The books will be shipped from Capitol Heights, Maryland. If you are able to collect books in your area and ship them either to Maryland (U.S.A), Toronto (Canada), or Zambia (Africa) please let us know, so I we can direct people to the closest contact.

How they will be delivered: Shipped from Maryland (U.S.A.) - IRHSCA
Accepting cash donations for shipping costs.


U.S.A. (Maryland):
IRHSCA
Atten: Book Drive
1 Chamber Avenue
Capitol Heights, MD 20743
U.S.A
Contact: irhsca@gmail.com


Canadian (Ontario):
Contact: amtullah79@yahoo.ca
Areas you can drop books off: Mississauga, Markham, Durham Region


U.K. (London):
Smart Ark Ltd
PO Box 61244
London N17 1AZ
UK
Contact: info@smartark.com

Labels: help, love, zambia

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

I'd like share a wonderful project I learned about recently. I'm not part of the organizers but have a wonderful friend right there working as a volunteer.. so I KNOW it's legit. (You never know these days)... and insha'Allah I'll be taking part in this project.



IDEA? To send at the very least 211 books to children in rural villages in Sabah, Malaysia, by October 2011.


WHY?
1) To promote reading in villages.


HOW?
- Passing down your pre-loved books.
- Purchase books online and send them there.
- Telling absolutely anyone about this project.


FOR WHO?
1) Kindergarten: age 4-6yr old
2) Elementary: age 7-12yr old
*Books can be in both Malay or English


Anyone interested in contributing can email:

Labels: help

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuh

I'd like to share a project.. an AWESOME project that Muslim Hands is running.


It's a ten day trek (June 13th - 23rd) to scale the peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro!!!! C'mon, how cool is that!!! Like the trek isn't brilliant enough.. the money raised (from sponsors) will go towards maternity clinics, training of midwives, essential medicines and pre and post-natal care for expectant mothers.


I'm so stoked with this project.
Sisters can participate.. however you need a mahram. Which is why I wouldn't be going.. BUT insha'Allah I hope I can sponsor someone. So if you have no plans on participating, but would like to sponsor someone.. PLEASE email me (amtullah79@yahoo.ca), we can do it together.

Spread the word!!


Update:
Okay.. I found someone to help... brother Mohammed Faris. If anyone is familiar with Productive Muslim.. he's the dude who runs it.

If you would like to help sponsor him please check out: Kilimanjaro Challenge

Jazak'Allahu khair :)

Labels: help

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuh

I think this will probably be my last post, and last project here.

There wasn’t much help for this project, Warm The Streets…. despite that we managed to collect/receive 136 pairs of socks.



This was a very important project for me to fulfill because the recipients had asked for socks, and when someone who doesn’t have something as simple as socks and asks for it the least I can do is try and get it to them.

Thank you to those that helped out, your efforts are very much appreciated. The socks have officially been delivered. Yaay!

Labels: help