Since last year, I’ve been dying to get involved with the Islamic Relief SA’s Orphans Iftaar annual event. What an opportunity to reflect and share with these amazing kids.
Last year, was a crazy year, as is the excuse with every year and every day…you know the drill. We always have way too much on our plates.
But this year, I said as soon as they announce the date, I am going to commit myself to it and stick to it. I could NOT back out, I just could not…..hahaha my mantra to keep me focused.
As Ramadaan rolled around, I saw the date set for 21st July, and immediately sent an e-mail to Fatima Carrim who works in their JHB offices to say, “I’m here, I’m ready….please what can I do….uuussseeee me!” and she happily responded and requested that I perhaps do an activity that could involve the girls, like letting them decorate cupcakes (she obviously knows I love food…but little did she know that I know nothing of decorating cuppies…hahahaha) and I could bring a savoury platter or a few.
So I sat back and thought…hmmmm yeah, I could do cupcakes and a little decoration stuff for a few girls (in my head I thought maybe 20). I promptly accepted and set about getting excited about it. Three e-mails later I find out that Islamic Relief’s efforts are far beyond my imagination, they support 400 orphans around the country! 120 of whom were based in and around Johannesburg and were attending the event, 50 of these wonderful kids were girls.
Then the sheer magnitude of it all hit me, how do they do it all? Coz I’m just stressing about being able to manage with 50 girls.
I knew then that I was not going to manage on my own, so out went the call on my facebook page, Fehmz.com and I was truly overwhelmed by the generous offerings from all the wonderful families out there, from ladies who jumped to assist on the day as well as with the baking (we decided to do cupcakes for ALL the kids, not just the girls), bringing the décor, making the frosting and others who sent us platters and platters of savouries.
I was humbled by their amazing generosity to the point of sending more than they even promised, we had almost 200 cupcakes on the day (and thankfully so, since we didn’t have a single one left after the activity) and more savouries than I could count.
A special Jazakallah to the ladies who arrived on the day to assist with the cupcake activity. It was the best team effort ever (we didn’t land up throwing frosting at each other…hahaha) and I met such wonderful fun women! So here’s a big shout out to Mehnaz Nanuck from I Love Cake, Zahraa Ismail, Rezana Fazel of The Whimsical Whisk as well as sisters Sumayya Sayed & Mahdiyyah Sayed and their cousin Safiyya (Sayed?), all of whom helped almost every kid with their frosting and décor.
And for the savouries and extra cuppies, jazakallah to Taskeen Seth of Taskeen Talks & Treats of the Week, Fatima Bulbulia, Taahira Osman-Latib, the Sayed sisters & cousin.
Last but not least, Jazakallah to Fatima Carrim of Islamic Relief for allowing us to be part of this inspiring event. Well done on all the hard work in pulling it together!
And what post wouldn’t be complete without photies of the activity….here you go 🙂
and the aftermath of the cupcake activity looked like this.
Most of all I hope that the kids had a great time! It was a day filled with lots of activity and many a gift bag from generous sponsors, the kids were entertained by a clown, had their faces painted, had a blast on the jumping castles and went home with not just the gift bags but their very own little SandArt work of art.
Here’s some pics of their beautiful setup inside the hall.
If you would like to get involved with Islamic Relief’s future events please contact Fatima Carrim on Fatima.carrim@islamic-relief.org.za
Have a blessed Ramadaan further, I can’t believe we’re already halfway! eeekkk
Love
~ Fehmz ~