Over 500 Lamu families receive food aid ahead of Ramadan

Muslims across the country, including Nairobi and the Coast, have given food aid to more than 500 families in Lamu County ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, following months of fundraising.

Through Al Fukaraa Wal Masakin, a charity, they raised more than Sh4 million from what started as contributions via WhatsApp, according to Farhiya Alamoudy, one of the campaign's organisers.

“We are very grateful for the news of the contribution. We managed to reach the target for the month of Ramadan. We started contributing through the WhatsApp group and managed to raise Sh1.6 million in three months,” she said.

The group which includes Islamic scholars and business people raised the remaining amount through initiatives including a fundraising dinner in Mombasa in February.

They left Mombasa for Lamu on Saturday and identified families that needed food sacks ahead of their distribution on Sunday. With one food sack costing Sh8,000, more than 500 families were targeted.

Members of the Al Fukaraa Wal-Masakin charity display an M-Pesa Paybill number on March 10, 2024, for donations for needy Muslim families ahead of the start of Ramadan. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

Farhiya said the remaining funds will be allocated to projects that will help fight poverty.

“We want to do many projects. Our expectation is not just to feed them. Feeding them alone does not reduce poverty and elevate the poor and needy,” she said, adding that their patrols found many in need of food, shelter, and education.

“We conducted night patrols yesterday. We have been patrolling around people's houses. We will reach others in need through social media. We intended to provide food but they don't need food alone. What they need first is shelter," she said.

She added, "Some have no education. They struggle to go to school and madrasas. In the areas we have been patrolling, there are no rented houses. People lack the means to pay Sh600 for rent and end up living on the streets.”

She noted that they aim to offer support each year.

Members of the Al Fukaraa Wal Masakin during the distribution of food sacks to needy families in Lamu County on March 10, 2024, ahead of the start of Ramadan. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

Mohamed Omar, one of the beneficiaries, said she was thankful and happy about the donation.

“I did not have any plan for Ramadan as the economy is hitting us hard and there are no jobs that can sustain us. May God bless these people as they came at the right time,” he said.

Another beneficiary, Amina Shee, said the food sack would give her family a head start this Ramadan season.

Ramadan is expected to begin this week, as the Chief Kadhi of Kenya, Athman Abdulhalim Hussein, has instructed his officials to search for the crescent moon on Monday evening to alleviate confusion about the dates.

Muslims believe Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, to be the holiest. It lasts 29 to 30 days, depending on the lunar cycle.