The Lady F?temah (a.s.) Charitable Trust

September Lodge, Village Way, Little Chalfont

Buckinghamshire, HP7 9PU

Newsletter January 2007 ? Muharram 1428

As salaamu alaykum wa rahmatullah

Bismillahi rahmaani raheem

As we witness the new moon for the month of Muharram, we are reminded of the tragedy that happened nearly 1400 years ago. And as the violence and oppression continues to exist today, let us be united in our pain and hope, and work together towards a common goal. For Imam Ali (as) has said

?Be merciful to those of you who are weak, for showing mercy to them is the means by which God will show mercy to you.?

Iraq:

• Water Tank Project: Securing a supply of potable water for one?s family can be a challenging task in Iraq. Many water treatment plants are out of order, pipes are old and leaky, and sewage frequently finds its way into fresh water pipes. In an effort to provide gainful employment to needy individuals to make them and their families economically independent, LFT has recently purchased six fresh water tanks with a capacity of 2,000 litres. With the tanks installed in their yards, the beneficiaries (53 in total) can sell fresh water to the inhabitants of their neighbourhood. This way they can earn a living and in addition render a valuable service by providing fresh water.

?          Milking Cow Program: In the second phase of this long-term project, a further three families with 19 members received milking cows. Two of the families are headed by widowed women, the third by a chronically ill man. In poor rural regions the possession of a milking cow means that the children of the household receive enough milk and their risk of being malnourished is significantly reduced. Income from selling surplus milk further helps to alleviate poverty. To date, 80 milking cows have been provided in the marshlands of Basra, and are feeding 873 people daily. Read More

?          Karbala Eye Clinic: The Karbala Eye Clinic was established to offer a charitable treatment facility for eye disease to those who could not afford to pay for treatment in commercial facilities. Something as simple as providing reading glasses, or removing a cataract from an elderly person can enable them to continue to work and provide care for the family. 8,145 patients were examined and treated at the Karbala Eye Clinic during 2006. Read More

?          Orphancare: Iraq may potentially have the largest number of orphans than in any other country. Sadly these young children are not only deprived of the love from their family, but often do not have financial support either. No amount of money will ever replace this loving care, but a mere ?10 a month will at least ease their poverty and enable them to rebuild their lives. Please visit the website for the latest list of orphans sponsored in Karbala. Read More

Iran: 

?          Medical Referral Program: This month?s medical referral program met with an ever-increasing number of patients requiring medical assistance. 18 out of the 29 patients arriving from Iraq were suffering with cancer, and included a 2year old infant who had his cancerous eye removed. In addition, a 10-month-old baby had surgical repair of his VSD (hole in the heart), and a young teenager underwent specialist surgery to restore sight in one of his eyes after suffering trauma following an explosion. Please continue to support this program as the influx of Iraqi and Afghani refugees seeking treatment seems to be rising at an almost exponential rate. Alhamdulillah, from October 2005 to December 2006, 1,057 patients have been assisted on this program thanks to your support. Read More

?          Orphancare: 196 orphans are being sponsored in Qum, Ahwaz, Esfahan, Azna and Tehran until June 2007, at a cost of $20 per month (?6,620 in total). Please donate towards our orphan sponsorship program, and give these children some hope for a brighter future.

India:

?          Microfinance: The Trust assisted a family in Bangalore purchase a rickshaw this month, thereby enabling them to become self-sufficient. The driver of the rickshaw has an elderly mother who he looks after and tends to her medical care, as well as three young children who go to school. Half of the money required was raised by the family, and the balance was provided by LFT. 

?          Healthcare: Dr Rizwana Begum, who the Trust sponsored through medical school, has recently qualified in obstetrics and gynecology. Please visit our website and see her in action! View More

?          Blankets: 201 widows, destitute and poor disabled people were provided with blankets in Hyderabad this month. This project provides much needed blankets for the winter, bringing a small amount of comfort to these people. Recent photographs are available to view on the website.

Ijaza: 

?         The Lady Fatemah Trust has been granted Ijaaza by Ayatollah al-Uzma Seyed Ali Seestani to collect Khums money. Please remember we operate on the basis of ZERO% administration costs, so every penny you give goes directly to those in need.  Click here to view the Ijaza

Islamic Humanitarian Service:

• The Trust has entered into an agreement with Islamic Humanitarian Service in Ontario to enable Canadian Citizens to donate to the Trust via a local Charity at ZERO% admin cost. Please contact us for further information. We sincerely thank I.H.S.

Give As You Earn:

• This is the UK's largest payroll giving scheme and is administered by CAF (Charities Aid Foundation). Any employee or pensioner paid under PAYE can donate to a charitable organization in the UK. The Trust has now been set up to receive GAYE donations, and our reference number is GYE 458449.

To make a regular donation by standing order, please download a mandate from the website or contact us and we will send one to you. You can make a donation by using our secure on-line payment facility at https://secure.webstar.co.uk/lft/donate.php. 

Please remember that completing a Gift Aid form substantially boosts your donation by 28% if you are a UK taxpayer.

Thank you, as always for all your generosity and support, without which our work would not be possible.

Yours sincerely,

Shabir R Jagani

Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees

info@ladyfatemahtrust.org

http://www.ladyfatemahtrust.org/

Tel: +44 (0) 7946 588 392