Mama @ Work: Last Chance Qurban

By this time next week, people from around the world will be commemorating the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham a.s.) and his son Ismail (Ishmael) by sacrificing sheep, cattle or even camels. There's a set of criteria in choosing the animals, like making sure they are not pregnant (if female) and have no visible impairment. Mama's organisation has been offering the Qurban service since 1989. While people in developing countries can still slaughter animals in their backyards, those in more developed countries would find it a hassle to ask abattoirs to slaughter just one animal for them. Thus, NGOs like Mama's would assist them so that bulk slaughter can be done at the abattoirs. More than just the slaughter process, the meat would then be further processed at a cannery to get products that have longer shelf life. Thus, the canned Qurban concept is born. In Malaysia, it is still normal practice for village elders to organise slaughter at places of worship. While this is good in fostering good relationship among neighbours, last minute orders however are impossible. Take the present time for example, most surau committees would have closed down Qurban orders as only a week is left until Eid. What do you then? Just click on the poster below. Mama's organisation is able to accommodate last minute orders because of the good relationship nurtured with the abattoirs over the years.

www.muslimaidasia.com

For further information, go to www.muslimaidasia.com or call +603 2288 1996 or +603 2282 1996. Last day for orders is 25 Oct 2012.

Mama @ Work: Water Water Everywhere....

I'm so happy that my Mama and her team have delivered another portion of their water and sanitation project. It would mean less time spent elsewhere and more time spent with me....errr....not quite but that's not the point.

What I'd like to say is that about 3,000 inhabitants of an island in Sabah are now enjoying the fruits of Mama's labour, first, in the form of clean drinkable water, second, modern latrines and third, electricity from solar power. The project was featured in The Star where the reporter also interviewed Mama. The scanned pages are as the following.

Happy moment for Mama (& gang) on  project delivery day.

The children can now enjoy going to the toilets!

Solar is power....for the children....!

Completion of the project, however, doesn't mean that Mama will stop visiting the island as "we will continue with the upkeep and maintenance for at least another three years," she said. Hmmm...does that mean we'll relocate there, Mama?

At present, Mama is working hard to convince some corporate sponsors to fund several additional projects that will benefit the islanders in the long run. Among them, skills training for the young people and income generation for the families.

Angelina's note: Will I achieve my dream of becoming an island cat? purrr....meow!