Helping hands: Making their Eid special

SWAT:

Like many others, this Eidul Azha was different for Saiful Maluk, 70, an aged labourer from Amankot. He seemed happy on getting his share of sacrificial meat, distributed among the underprivileged here on Eid day. While scores of people were busy sacrificing their animals, many others waited in a queue to receive their shares of meat at Khpal Foundation, Mingora, arranged by a UK-based NGO ISRA and Qatar Charity and helped by Swat Scouts Open Group. Maluk told The Express Tribune that he makes Rs50 to Rs100 daily by carrying loads, which is insufficient to support his family of eight. “It’s impossible for me to earn enough to meet both ends, let alone buy sacrificial animals,” he said, adding that for years, he had been unable to buy new clothes or shoes for his daughters.

The meat, Maluk received, according to him, would serve as his family meal for more than a week. “It’s a real blessing for me to get this meat, it will feed us for days,” he said.

Among the children waiting in the queue, Husn Ara, a widow and mother of five, told The Express Tribune that she lives with her children in a rented house.

She washes others’ clothes but was herself dressed in rags. She said she could only pay her house rent from what she was earning, while her neighbours arrange her food.

“Since my husband died, we have had real hard times. My children asked me this morning that why they could not buy sacrificial animals and it was hard to explain.” Later on, she said, a neighbour had told her about the meat distribution drive. “Here, they gave me sacrificial meat with honour, for which I am thankful to them,” she said with gratitude in her eyes.

Khurshaid Ali, a guard in a private school, who earns Rs5,000 to support his family of seven, was pleased after receiving his share. “I was just passing from here when I came to know about the meat distribution. I got meat very easily and am thankful to those who remembered us on this day.”

Khpal Kor Foundation Director Muhammad Ali, while supervising the distribution of the meat, told The Express Tribune that they were distributing meat, so that the poor and marginalised communities do not feel left out. “We are hoping to extend the activity by three times next year Insha Allah.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 10^th, 2011.