Sixty-five-year-old Abdullah Abu Magaseeb
lives in Wadi El Saqa with his wife and six children. Abdullah’s humble
home remains partly-built, but his family live in it regardless.
Zero Income
Abdullah has no money to finish the construction of his house. Despite
holding a Masters degree in Arabic Language and Islamic Studies he
cannot find a job because of his age.
“My family has zero income, because no one is working. I only depend on charity organisations for survival”.
Two
of his daughters are keen to pursue their education. One hopes to go to
university while the other wants to attend high school. However,
Abdullah cannot afford to fulfil his daughters’ dreams because the fees
and expenses are too high. Abdullah will not give up though. He is
determined to find a scholarship for his girls.
Poverty
As a result of decades of ongoing conflict poverty has become
widespread and Abdullah’s situation is no exception. An estimated 70%
of the population live below the poverty line, surviving on less than
$2 a day.
Food Distribution
Abdullah’s municipality came to inform him of Islamic Relief’s Food to
Survive project. Abdullah is very pleased with his family’s food
parcel. “I was happy because it’s the first organisation that knocked
on my door to offer me something, when usually I would spend hours
visiting NGOs for help”.
Thanks
to the food parcels Abdullah is now able to feed his entire family for
a month. The Food to Survive project operates across the Palestinian
Territories. This year 33,000 poor families are expected to benefit
from the food parcels.
Remembering the Margins
Abdullah is very grateful for all of the support that he has received.
“It’s a very good parcel and a kind initiative, so I do thank Islamic
Relief and I hope this will be put on their good deed scales”.
He
urged Islamic Relief to continue helping those in need, particularly
marginal communities like Waqi El Saqa village which are often neglected