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[su_tabs][su_tab title=”Ghana Project & Aid Distribution Trip“]Our chairman Molana Ebrahim Patel, our projects coordinator Molana Sameer Ismail and a volunteer are in Ghana. They will be overseeing all our projects in the country. They will also be carrying out a distribution of aid in northern Ghana.

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11 (Last Day)
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Last Day In Ghana (Day 11) – 15 March 2015

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Today is our last day in Ghana and also our last distribution for this trip. After returning from Tamaleh it was decided that we will also do a distribution from our very own Aisha Sidiqqah school.
The widows and poor and needy were all informed to meet at the school for 8 am.

Alhamdolillah many widows and poor women were given the chance to start their own trade so they could earn their own livlihood. Amongst the widows that received aid was Fati Suli, the widow whose house we visited yesterday. Her story and poor condition occupied our thoughts throughout the night, and to see a smile on her face today morning filled our hearts with so much joy. The truth is that Fati Suli is just one widow from hundreds maybe thousands that are in the same condition.

After the distribution finished we went to the house of a local brother where we met his disabled son. His son was probably no more than 11 years old but from a very young age he has been unable to walk or communicate properly. Allah grant him a full recovery (Ameen).
We made our way back to Masjid Abrar where we had a few last meetings and discussions with brother Ibrahim and Faiz.

When leaving for the airport for our flight we were bidding fairwell to our base for the last 10 days from where we planned so many distributions.

Sitting on the plane gave me a chance to think of what has been achieved in the last 10 days and I can honestly say that the last 10 days has blown me away. We got to meet some amazing people and also got to see first hand the good work that Caravan of Mercy are doing. Throughout the trip every effort was made that the beneficiaries were the people that needed aid the most.

Leaving Ghana gives me the same feeling that I had when leaving Tamaleh, that although we have achieved alot we still have unfinished work to do. From the water crisis we witnessed in the north to the state of the widows we saw and heard about in Accra.

JazakaAllah

Sameer Ismail

Projects Coordinator

[su_tabs][su_tab title=”Ghana Project & Aid Distribution Trip“]Our chairman Molana Ebrahim Patel, our projects coordinator Molana Sameer Ismail and a volunteer are in Ghana. They will be overseeing all our projects in the country. They will also be carrying out a distribution of aid in northern Ghana.

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9
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A Day Spent With The Students (Day 9) – 13 March 2015

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Assalamu alaykum

Today will be our second day in Aisha Sidiqqah school. We wanted to get to the school nice and early so we could see the students in assembly. The assembly in Asiga which takes place every morning was amazing. The students read the morning dua and also some Islamic songs. Watching the students in assembly made me think that students from such deprived backgrounds, when nourished and taken care off they can turn into something really special. The day was spent with the students that are sponsored by Caravan of Mercy. One of the students said “please tell the people of England, JazakAllah for helping me gain an education and build my future”. Molana and brother Faiz also had the chance to sit and listen in the Qur’an class.

At lunch time the students were prepared the meat that we slaughtered yesterday. They were so overjoyed that they were having meat, as they only get the chance to have meat a few times a year. It was as if Eid had come early.
To bring a smile to a child’s face, especially an orphan truly is an amazing feeling and InshaAllah an act of reward.

For Jummah Salaah we returned to Masjid Abrar where the Imam Abdul Awwal lead the prayer. The Imam is also supported by Caravan of Mercy.

Today brother Ibrahim informed us about a young girl. Her name is Humaira Abdul Malik. Her mother and father abandoned her and she was left homeless sleeping on the street and fighting for survival. Alhamdolillah Caravan of Mercy is now supporting this child through its sponsorship scheme at Asiga. Imagine how many more there are like Humaira that need our help.

In the evening me and brother Saleh went for a walk with a local brother. He informed us that he works long hours a day and earns only £30 a month. His house is 1 old wooden structure which reminded me of shed that we have in our gardens.
It really makes you wonder how lucky we are in the UK and yet we take so much for granted. For many people in Ghana every penny is valued as it could be the difference between them eating or sleeping hungry.

Sameer Ismail

Projects Coordinator

[su_tabs][su_tab title=”Ghana Project & Aid Distribution Trip“]Our chairman Molana Ebrahim Patel, our projects coordinator Molana Sameer Ismail and a volunteer are in Ghana. They will be overseeing all our projects in the country. They will also be carrying out a distribution of aid in northern Ghana.

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8
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A Day I Wouldn’t Forget (Day 8) – 12 March 2015

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Assalamu Alaykum

Today was going to be a special day, a day I wouldn’t forget, as I will be visiting the Aisha Sidiqqah Islamic girls school (Asiga). Since arriving in Ghana I have been anxiously waiting to see where the students study that com sponsors.

Asiga is a purpose built school that accommodates orphans and also poor and needy students. Asiga opened in October 2013. The school is about 5 min drive from Masjid Abrar. When we arrived at Asiga brother Faiz the headmaster and brother Ibrahim took us for a tour of the school. One thing that is visible from the outset is the Islamic values that have been implemented in the school. Both the students and the teacher’s are dressed in an Islamic manner. When walking in and out of the classrooms the students are greeting us with salaam, you can see the benefits of Asiga already.

When the students came out for break, many students ran upto us to greet us, they were so happy to see us that it seemed as a celebrity had arrived at the school. I spent the day going through the sponsorship details while Molana Ebrahim discussed future plans for the school. After Asar me and brother Saleh went to the market to slaughter an animal as we wanted to feed the students at asiga tomorrow. The evening was spent in Masjid Abrar working on the sponsorship programme.

Since arriving in Ghana we have seen many bill boards calling to other faiths, I feel the students at Asiga are getting the correct knowledge at grass root level to equip them for the challenges they will face later on in life.

I honestly cant wait to go back to asiga tomorrow.

Sameer Ismail

Projects Coordinator

[su_tabs][su_tab title=”Ghana Project & Aid Distribution Trip“]Our chairman Molana Ebrahim Patel, our projects coordinator Molana Sameer Ismail and a volunteer are in Ghana. They will be overseeing all our projects in the country. They will also be carrying out a distribution of aid in northern Ghana.

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7
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Sustainable Livelihood (Day 7) – 11 March 2015

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Today was our final distribution, and it was to take place in Tamaleh itself. As usual we had an early start as we knew we only had a few hours to complete the distribution. When we arrived at distribution point molana Ebrahim and Saleh bhai went to the district commissioners office, While me and brother Ibrahim started organising things. A local sister by the name of Aatikha was a great help as she had already done a lot of the arrangements for us. Like yesterday we intended to distribute freezers so that the women can start selling cold drinks and earn a sustainable livelihood. We also had arrangements to distribute sewing machines too. Alhamdolillah the distribution went very well and the local women including the widows were very happy that Caravan of Mercy were able to help them. (Alhamdolillah)

Molana Ebrahim was also interviewed by a Ghanaian radio station regarding the good work that Caravan are doing. One thing he mentioned was that this distribution “was only possible due to the support shown by our donors in the UK”. I had the chance to speak to sister Aatikha and she also expressed her gratitude towards the donors at com and prayed to Allah that he accepts everyone’s efforts. After the distribution we had to rush to the Airport as we had to catch a flight back to the capital Accra. Whilst on our way back to Accra I thought about all the people that Caravan of Mercy were able to help, but at the same time I thought to myself that the task is still not complete as there are still thousands of people we still need to reach.

In northern Ghana the Muslim Ummah is in great need of aid and also education, more specifically Islamic education. The SSP project was the first of its kind in Northern Ghana, and the response from the locals was very positive. The weeks and months ahead will determine how best Caravan of Mercy can serve the people of Northern Ghana. Our arrival to Accra for now marks the end of the SSP distribution in Ghana. The next few days will be spent in Asiga overlooking the student sponsorship. We have a lot of work to do in the next few days but I’m confident we can achieve a lot in the remaining days.

Sameer Ismail

Projects Coordinator

[su_tabs][su_tab title=”Ghana Project & Aid Distribution Trip“]Our chairman Molana Ebrahim Patel, our projects coordinator Molana Sameer Ismail and a volunteer are in Ghana. They will be overseeing all our projects in the country. They will also be carrying out a distribution of aid in northern Ghana.

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7
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No Electricity and No Water (Day 6) – 10 March 2015

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The night was spent with great hardship as the electricity was off and also the water. The mosquitos also were having the feast of their life, but the whole time we kept reminding ourselves we are here for a purpose and it is the locals that are really the ones that have it difficult not us.
In the morning we decided that we will split up as we had 2 distribution points. Myself and Saleh bhai will stay in Salaga and complete the distribution while Molana Ebrahim and brother Ibrahim will go to Gushegu to do the distribution there.

Before Molana Ebrahim and brother Ibrahim departed we did a quick consultation, it was quickly visible how particular and knowledgeable Molana Ebrahim is on the Masaail of zakaat. One thing is learning the masaail of zakaat but to see it implemented in a real life situation was an amazing feeling. Allah reward molana Ebrahim Ameen.

After Molana Ebrahim had departed myself, Saleh bhai and a local brother by the name of Hasan made the plan for the day and how to tackle todays distribution. Today we had to distribute fridges and freezers so the local women can set up a business selling water. We also had to distribute sewing machines and also finalise the setting up of 3 sewing schools.

While driving to the distribution point we realised that there were a lot of people waiting. Alhamdolillah the distribution went very well. We finished the distribution at Magrib time. We also got the chance to interview a few locals in the area.

We had to be in Tamaleh tonight where we were to meet Molana Ebrahim and brother Ibrahim.

On the long drive back to Tamaleh it gave me the chance to reflect on my stay in Salaga. In Salaga their is a great need for a Maaktab. In the morning we met a teenager who requested us to open a hifz class as currently there is not many places that offer this facility.

On a final note, today I saw a young son carrying his very old disabled lady to the distribution point, they sat for hours with the hope that they will receive some aid. Alhamdolillah Caravan of Mercy was able to help this lady and many others like her.

Sameer Ismail

Projects Coordinator

[su_tabs][su_tab title=”Ghana Project & Aid Distribution Trip“]Our chairman Molana Ebrahim Patel, our projects coordinator Molana Sameer Ismail and a volunteer are in Ghana. They will be overseeing all our projects in the country. They will also be carrying out a distribution of aid in northern Ghana.

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5
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Aid Distribution (Day 5) – 09 March 2015

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Today was going to be a very long day. We had to distribute aid to the widows and poor women of Salaga.
We started the day by visiting the paramount chief as we need to meet them before working in their area. We then went to meet all the widows and also the poor needy and interviewed a few of them.
The ladies sat in the scorching heat for hours with the hope that they will receive some aid. It reminded me a lot of how it will be on the day of judgement where people will anxiously wait for their turn. The items we were going to distribute were delayed from Tamaleh and will be arriving after Asar. While we were with the widows Molana Ebrahim also went and checked the water dams in the area.

After Zuhar we finished off the final allocations for Salaga. After Asar we went to the distribution point so that we could begin the distribution. The distribution went on till appropriately 8:00 pm. Alhamdolillah the turn out was very good. We then came back to the guest house where we did some paperwork before taking rest.

We have another long day tomorrow as we intend to do more distribution in Salaga and also Gushegu.

Sameer Ismail

Projects Coordinator

[su_tabs][su_tab title=”Ghana Project & Aid Distribution Trip“]Our chairman Molana Ebrahim Patel, our projects coordinator Molana Sameer Ismail and a volunteer are in Ghana. They will be overseeing all our projects in the country. They will also be carrying out a distribution of aid in northern Ghana.

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7
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Hard Work, Sweat and Tears  (Day 3) – 07 March 2015

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If I could describe today in a few words it would be “hard work, sweat and tears”

Today we had a very early start as we were flying to Tamale which is in Northern Ghana. We arrived at Tamale about an hour late as the flight was delayed. The flight being delayed gave us a chance to plan the SSP further. Brother Ibrahim had arranged a driver with 2 helpers to pick us up from the airport and spend the whole day with us. We first went and found a hotel so we could leave our luggage there. After dropping our stuff at the hotel we spent the whole day going to different shops, wholesalers, market places etc. We wanted to find the best prices so that we could purchase more things to make the donations go further. We placed an order for sewing machines, fridges and freezers (women can sell water and cold drinks).

When finalising the order for the fridge, freezer etc me, Molana Ebrahim and brother Ibrahim went into another room so the money and paperwork was done correctly. I realised that Molana Ebrahim was very particular about checking all the figure’s, MashaAllah I feel he negotiated the best price possible, with free delivery. Alhamdolillah got to learn and watch Molana Ebrahim negotiating etc.

By the time we had finished from the purchasing it was Magrib time, we were all tired, sweaty and very hungry as we hadn’t eaten since last night. We went and had some local Ghanian food before heading back to the hotel. In the hotel we had a lot of work to do, we had to finalise how much and what needs to be distributed in certain villages. While we were doing the work in the office brother Ibrahim and a local brother by the name of Yahya told us many stories of the condition of the Muslims in Northern Ghana, especially for the women.

In most families women have to earn and run the house, we realised this as we saw many women in the market place. We were also informed that many women have moved to Accra and are forced to do jobs that only earn them 3 cedis a day (less then a pound). Brother Ibrahim Alhamdolillah managed to send 3 northern women back to Tamaleh from Accra. Many women are even forced to resort to prostitution. A very sad state of affairs which bought tears to my eyes.

In the hotel we are staying in their is a Muslim wedding taking place and Wallahi it is exactly like a Christian wedding with a best man, bridesmaid, champagne, singing, dancing etc. A lot of work and effort really needs to be done as the Muslims here in Ghana are very far from deen. Brother Ibrahim informed me that Abdullahi’s (the contractor) wife 2 weeks a ago became murtad and left him, she has also abandoned her children, she told Abdullahi “I can no longer practice Islam”.

Today has been by far the hardest day so far but I probably absorbed the most amount of things today too.

On a final note brother Ibrahim mentioned a project about providing water sachets to Masjids in the month of Ramadhan, the sachets will have the Caravan of Mercy logo on it. (We made a good contact for this today) InshaAllah he will send a project proposal for this.

Sameer Ismail

Projects Coordinator