Family seeks Ramadan aid
“It is still so emotional for me to think about this, knowing that what was once our family home - is now gone and destroyed.” These were the heart-wrenching words of a teary eyed 57 year old Fariedah Jansen, in her appeal to the community to assist her family after a devastating fire broke out in their Beacon Valley home in March, leaving four families completely homeless. With the signs of stress and sadness clear visible on her face, Jansen said begging was humiliating, but out of desperation, she was forced to ask for donations.
“This will be the first Ramadan that I won’t be able to cook for my family. It still breaks my heart and I still often find myself crying at most times,” said a weepy Jansen, while clutching police affidavits and newspaper clippings, as proof of the incident. Jansen and her 38 year old son arrived home to find their house engulfed in flames. Their home had been completely razed, and all her belongings destroyed.
“I was out with my family on the day and when my neighbour called me to tell me what was happening, we immediately rushed home. She said that she noticed smoke coming from the yard at 14h30 that day and ran to see what was happening. She was shocked and immediately called for help from others in road,” she explained. Jansen and her son are currently living in a room with a Christian family in the same street. As a Muslim, it was extremely difficult for them to live in a non-Islamic environment.
“We have no choice as they were the only people to open their homes to us when the fire took place. We have to go to another Muslim neighbour to make salah throughout the day and especially with Ramadan coming up, I don’t know what we will do. I make dua that Allah grants us something by then Insha Allah,” she said.
Various Muslim community leaders and organizations have come forward to donate clothing and food over the past few months. “Alhamdulilah we have received over enough clothing to wear since the fire broke out and food has been donated for the first few weeks. However, with no one employed in our family and in the home we are living at, it is difficult getting in money to keep up,” she said.
Jansen said that nothing had been done yet with their home and that the foundation is still standing empty on their premises. “It had been standing like this since March and we only recently managed to clear up the damage as the council never did anything to help us out. Alhamdullilah, I was donated R700 by House of Monatic and I managed to get someone to clear it up as no one wanted to do it for free.”
She also approached various organizations asking for assistance to help the family get back on their feet. “We went to a couple of places including Muslim Hands and are still waiting on their calls. My elder brothers have also helped us and are contributing with food and money especially now that we are living in a Christian home. Food is the most difficult thing, because they don’t eat halal food.”
To get the reconstruction of their home underway, they need bricks and other building material. She said that friends and family have already managed to get businesses to contribute certain material thus far. “I thank those who have come forward to help us. At the moment we are trying to get bricks to build a shelter over our heads at least Insha Allah.”
Jansen pleaded with the community to assist in any way possible, and said she was even prepared to work to afford the money for the building of her home. She is currently unemployed and earns a meagre income with odd jobs. “I am still in shock and I cannot believe what has happened. I am glad that no one was in the house at the time. I make dua that Allah makes it easy for us, Insha Allah,” she said.
If you would like to contribute towards the Jansen family, you can contact Fariedah Jansen on 074 510 4859. VOC (Aishah Cassiem)
“This will be the first Ramadan that I won’t be able to cook for my family. It still breaks my heart and I still often find myself crying at most times,” said a weepy Jansen, while clutching police affidavits and newspaper clippings, as proof of the incident. Jansen and her 38 year old son arrived home to find their house engulfed in flames. Their home had been completely razed, and all her belongings destroyed.
“I was out with my family on the day and when my neighbour called me to tell me what was happening, we immediately rushed home. She said that she noticed smoke coming from the yard at 14h30 that day and ran to see what was happening. She was shocked and immediately called for help from others in road,” she explained. Jansen and her son are currently living in a room with a Christian family in the same street. As a Muslim, it was extremely difficult for them to live in a non-Islamic environment.
“We have no choice as they were the only people to open their homes to us when the fire took place. We have to go to another Muslim neighbour to make salah throughout the day and especially with Ramadan coming up, I don’t know what we will do. I make dua that Allah grants us something by then Insha Allah,” she said.
Various Muslim community leaders and organizations have come forward to donate clothing and food over the past few months. “Alhamdulilah we have received over enough clothing to wear since the fire broke out and food has been donated for the first few weeks. However, with no one employed in our family and in the home we are living at, it is difficult getting in money to keep up,” she said.
Jansen said that nothing had been done yet with their home and that the foundation is still standing empty on their premises. “It had been standing like this since March and we only recently managed to clear up the damage as the council never did anything to help us out. Alhamdullilah, I was donated R700 by House of Monatic and I managed to get someone to clear it up as no one wanted to do it for free.”
She also approached various organizations asking for assistance to help the family get back on their feet. “We went to a couple of places including Muslim Hands and are still waiting on their calls. My elder brothers have also helped us and are contributing with food and money especially now that we are living in a Christian home. Food is the most difficult thing, because they don’t eat halal food.”
To get the reconstruction of their home underway, they need bricks and other building material. She said that friends and family have already managed to get businesses to contribute certain material thus far. “I thank those who have come forward to help us. At the moment we are trying to get bricks to build a shelter over our heads at least Insha Allah.”
Jansen pleaded with the community to assist in any way possible, and said she was even prepared to work to afford the money for the building of her home. She is currently unemployed and earns a meagre income with odd jobs. “I am still in shock and I cannot believe what has happened. I am glad that no one was in the house at the time. I make dua that Allah makes it easy for us, Insha Allah,” she said.
If you would like to contribute towards the Jansen family, you can contact Fariedah Jansen on 074 510 4859. VOC (Aishah Cassiem)
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