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The
Trust was formed in 1997, and has thus far disbursed over four
million pounds to thousands of impoverished people worldwide.
Projects undertaken are generally driven by specific appeals,
and the fundamental objective is to restore not only the
economic self sufficiency of communities, but also their
personal dignity. Examples of such projects include provision
of water wells in
India
, education, medical, shelter and currently the Trust is
involved in establishing an eye clinic in Kerbala,
Iraq. The aim is to provide eye care to people whose lives have
been disabled by poor sight. Simple basic measures, such as
provision of spectacles and cataract surgery, can
significantly enhance a person’s life, creating
opportunities that may not have existed previously. The
potential benefits of this clinic are truly phenomenal.
Our website (http://www.ladyfatemahtrust.org)
provides details of the scope and nature of our various
activities and we would welcome the opportunity to discuss the
projects in person. Our audited accounts are also available
and one of our founding principles is to operate on the basis
of zero administration fees, thereby ensuring that every penny
goes directly to those in need. If you feel you are able to
support the Trust and collectively bring hope and opportunity
to many poor and needy people, please kindly contact us.
Newsletter
–February 2004 –Muharram1425
As
salaamu alaykum wa rahmatullah
Bismillahi
rahmaani raheem
The
New Moon of the month of Muharram heralds the New Year of the
Islamic calendar, and it is with heavy hearts that we usher in
this month. With tears and sorrow we commemorate our Imam and
all his companions, who gallantly laid down their lives for
the cause of truth. We pray to Allah (SWT) to convey our
condolences to Bibi Fatemah ('a) as we recall the atrocities
that occurred more than fourteen hundred years ago. The events
of that fateful day and their aftermath were so soul stirring,
that they have left an indelible impression on the minds of
millions of Muslims. However, we must not forget there are
many Sakinas and Asghers suffering in the world today, and it
is incumbent upon us to reach out and help them.
Whatever is given in the way of Allah, will be returned
repeatedly, added and amplified in this world and in the
hereafter;
“The likeness of
those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is as the
likeness of a grain which grows seven ears; in every ear a
hundred grains; and verily Allah gives increased manifold to
whomever He wills, and Allah is omniscient, knowing.”
2:261
This month, there
has been much activity going on within the Trust:
1.
Kerbala Eye Clinic
The Lady Fatemah (a.s.)
Charitable Trust, with assistance of IRAC who are based in
Karbala, is involved in establishing a charitable, non-profit
eye clinic in Kerbala, about 100 yards from the shrine of
Hazrat Abbas ('a). There is an immediate need for eye care in
this area, since the existing facility at the local Hussaini
Hospital is extremely run down, and does not have the capacity
to treat all the patients. Even for basic procedures, patients
are referred to a specialist eye hospital in Baghdad, and this
is both costly and dangerous. Simple basic measures, such as
provision of spectacles and cataract surgery, can
significantly enhance a person’s life, creating
opportunities that may not have existed previously.
Alhamdulillah, as a result of the generous contributions of
various organisations (especially Specsavers) and individuals,
all the equipment required to run a professional clinic has
now been procured. Indeed, the Trust’s work is currently
posted on the Hatfield Specsavers website:
http://www.specsavers.co.uk/cgi-bin/strudwick.sh/s?langid=1&pfmt=1&siteid
=22&pname=local/localstoreframe.html&store=148
Brother Mehboob
Suleiman was featured on the front pages of both the Barnet
and Hatfield local newspapers. Congratulations!
A 20 foot container
will be loaded on Monday 01 March will be shipped by the first
sailing of Senators Line to Iraq. Among the equipment
donated is an ophthalmoscope, retinoscope, tonometer, slit
lamps, Nidek autorefractor, 40,000 new frames, used frames,
3,500 uncut powered lenses and display cabinets. The Trust is
grateful to Senator Line for their generosity to move the
container. We are very grateful to Specsavers for their
donation of new frames with a retail value of approximately
£3 million! Please visit our website for more
information. In order to promote the companies who support the
Trust’s work, material approved by the company will be put
on the Trust website, together with a link to the company
website.
The next phase now
involves financing the operational costs - the staff at the
clinic will comprise of 1 ophthalmologist (£200 per month), 2
opticians (£150 per month), 2 nurses (£150 per month), 2
office staff (£150 per month) and 3 support staff (£100 per
month). We envisage treating 30,000 patients in the first
year, making the per patient cost per staff, less than £1. To
help secure financial stability for the clinic, why not sign
up a direct debit form sponsoring a member of staff directly,
or alternatively make a lump sum donation…imagine being
responsible for giving someone the amazing gift of sight.
Standing Order Forms can be obtained from the web site.
2.
Water Appeal
Further 14 borehole
wells that were commissioned in India have been successfully
completed, making a total of 30 boreholes for the year 2003.
Water is now available to the general public, 24 hours a day.
For full details, please see the website.
Yours
sincerely
Amirali G. Karim
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
To
donate by credit card you may go to :
https://secure.webstar.co.uk/lft/donate.php
For details of the Trust’s account you may go to :
http://www.ladyfatemahtrust.org/donate.php
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