The Zakat Foundation of America

Sep 03, 2010

Approximately 4,500 Muslims live in the Moneragala District of Sri Lanka located 155 miles north east of Sri Lanka's capitol Colombo, where Zakat Foundation distributed Ramadan food packages to the needy. Lack of proper education and stable employment opportunities leaves a large percentage of these Muslims vulnerable to the assault of poverty. Many residents of the district struggle to meet their basic needs and all throughout the year are accustomed to going without meals due to the harsh realities of food scarcity.

Zakat Foundation representatives chose the poorest families, widows, disabled, and elderly to receive Ramadan food packages. Those who were chosen were the people of the district's villages who cannot depend on assistance from any other parties. Using a centrally located school as a distribution place, Zakat Foundation was able to provide one-hundred families with which food packages with they could prepare iftar meals for breaking their fasts. The packages contained staple foods of the local diet and consisted of cooking oil, rice, salt, sugar, milk, tea leaves, noodles, wheat flour, lentils, and some standard spices. They are meant to provide enough food to feed an average family of five for several weeks. Zakat Foundation is also arranging for the distribution of Eid gifts to children in the area with the closing of the month of fasting.

The poverty that grips our sisters and brothers in Sri Lanka must be addressed with long-term and far reaching development projects. In the meantime, we are glad that our donors allow us to provide for their immediate needs and allow us to bring the joy of Ramadan to their hearts.