Salam and greetings of peace,
Brrr.....it is freezing cold in Chicago and as we sit warm and toasty in our homes, we wanted to thank the Almighty and all our supporters for providing RAP with the opportunity to help newly arrived refugee families again this winter.
Like previous years, thanks to your donations, RAP was able to provide more than $2,500 worth of new winter coats, blankets and groceries to the families experiencing their first Chicago winter.
Our Finance Director did the research to find the best prices and ordered in bulk to make the best use of your generous donations. We took into account the kind of groceries they need most to prepare foods that can make them feel more at home.
We are also currently assisting refugees get certified as truck drivers and hairdressers so that they can earn an income. We hope all the combined efforts and contributions are accepted by God and help those who need it the most. Once again, thank you for supporting RAP. If you would like to volunteer, please email: empoweringrefugees@gmail.com
We accept tax-deductible donations year round. If you would like to make an end-of-year donation, please make the check out to RAP/WF and mail it to RAP, P. O. Box 4962, Wheaton, IL 60189.
Jazak Allah for all you do!
The RAP Team
Naazish YarKhan, Aliya Husain, Sabina Abdul-Qadir, Talath Ahmed, Kiran Ansari Rasul, Thamreen Siddiqui and Farzana Moinuddin
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Monday, August 31, 2009
Ibtisam's Sewing Corner - Customer Feedback
"I have used Ibtisam for numerous shalwar kameezes for my daughter and I, and each time she does an excellent job. She pays attention to detail, and is very neat and clean in her work - you will only see straight lines. She also understands the importance of clothes fitting well, and therefore is meticulious in her work, she understands all sorts of fabrics, and works well with each of them." - Masooda Rahman, Wheaton.
An Experienced Professional Seamstress For Shalwar Khameez, Abayaas and more
Formerly a Master Tailor/ Fitter
Make an appointment with Ibtisam Ali today!
562 Pershing Ave. Apt# F
Glen Ellyn IL 60137 ph :630-793-9186 Referrals available upon request
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Shata Faisal, an Iraqi Mom on Life, Survival, Hope and Suffering
Shatha Faisal: There was no way to “live” in Iraq and we exhausted all options to even be able to survive there. Early of 2005 when we used to live in Baghdad, we kept receiving written notes from unknown party that we should leave our neighborhood because we were “terrorists”. We ignored these threats and put our fate in Allah’s hands. May 23, 2005 at 11:30 PM Talal (the father) came from work and we were getting ready to eat dinner outside in the backyard since there was no electricity. So Talal turn on a gas operated generator and we settled to start eating. Suddenly, something exploded near us and apiece of metal hit the generator and set it on fire. Talal and Faisal, who was 4.5 years old at that time, got burned from the gasoline that spilled out of the generator. Talal got sever burns on his legs and Faisal had 90% of his body severely burned. We rushed him to a hospital, hoping to find a clean room or bed so his burns don’t get infected, we were turned a way since there was no clean room or bed suitable for his situation. We went from one hospital to another while Talal and Faisal were suffering and crying from pain. We went to the 16 hospitals in Baghdad, but no single hospital was able to care for them. One doctor said to us, Faisal is going to die so stop trying. Two days latter, the we went to Jordan seeking medical treatment. Three days latter, Faisal died. 17 days latter, Talal was released form the hospital and we went back to Iraq. Two months after we returned to Iraq, someone bombed our $300,000 supermarket and our only source for living. We were trapped in our home fro two months with no work, no hope, shocked, and afraid to be killed.
Click to read her whole story.
Friday, August 21, 2009
One-on-One with Noah Merrill of Direct Aid Iraq
Most refugees arrive in the United States with little more than the clothes they are wearing and a few personal possessions. They face the difficult challenge of starting over in a new land. It is important that refugees are welcomed when they arrive and receive support as they adjust to their new lives in our communities. These are the families that end up faring best.
Bisharo, 17, Flees African Refugee Camp with Family
It isn’t easy for soccer enthusiast and Wheaton, IL resident, Bisharo Amir, 17, to speak of her past. “My mother gave birth to my little brother under a tree, with the sound of bombs and machine guns blasting, and through it all my brothers and sisters who were small children were crying for her attention,” she shudders. “Can you imagine that?”
Bisharo is originally from Somalia. “My little niece there,” she points to a three-year-old, “children her age shouldn’t have to see so much killing, so much blood, but they have. That’s not good. I don’t think about it, otherwise I won’t be healthy mentally, physically, emotionally. I just don’t think about those days,” says Bisharo. “I can’t believe that a 7-year-old had a gun and wanted to kill people.”
Click to read her entire story.
Bisharo is originally from Somalia. “My little niece there,” she points to a three-year-old, “children her age shouldn’t have to see so much killing, so much blood, but they have. That’s not good. I don’t think about it, otherwise I won’t be healthy mentally, physically, emotionally. I just don’t think about those days,” says Bisharo. “I can’t believe that a 7-year-old had a gun and wanted to kill people.”
Click to read her entire story.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Most Exciting Day Ever in USA, Say Refugees
Mon, Aug 17, 2009
Posted by: ICNA Relief Chicago
Yesterday, ICNA Relief volunteers took Iraqi Refugee children and their parents on a field trip. Volunteers started picking up the children from their homes in Rogers Park at 9:30 AM before heading to Safariland located in Lombard. Children including boys and girls ages from 4 to 14 years had a wonderful time riding on Roller Coasters, Go Carts, Max Flight, Bumper Cars, Mary Go Round and playing other games. They also enjoyed the pizza and pop in the lunch break.
After the Safariland adventure, volunteers took the children and parents to the Islamic Foundation to offer Zuhr prayer and to give them a tour of the Masjid. "They were all very impressed with the size and beauty of the Islamic Foundation as it was their first time since they have arrived in US form Iraq to see a Masjid and school of this size and elegance," said Saad Siddiqui, coordinator of ICNA Relief Chicago chapter.
From Islamic Foundation, they were taken to ICNA Relief Thrift Store located on Ardmore and Roosevelt Rd. At the Thrift store, the parents and children picked-up cloths, shoes, toys, school bags, and many other things of their like and size free of cost. They were also given the rice, cereal, oil, canned, and other food items at no cost from the Food Pantry located inside the Thrift Store to help them prepare for the month of Ramadan. The Thrift Store was the last stop of this day long field trip and from there, volunteers took them back to their homes.
"Alhamdulillah it was a very humbling experience for all the volunteers," said Siddiqui. "The children and their parents were very happy as many of them commented that this was the most exciting day of their life since they have come to US. We would like to thank all the volunteers who spent many days preparing for this program and sacrificing the big part of their weekend with these children (many of whom are orphans) when they had the option to be with their own families and friends".
To help ICNA Relief financially or if you'd like to volunteer in the similar activities in the future, please don’t hesitate to send us an email at Relief@ICNAChicago.org.
Posted by: ICNA Relief Chicago
Yesterday, ICNA Relief volunteers took Iraqi Refugee children and their parents on a field trip. Volunteers started picking up the children from their homes in Rogers Park at 9:30 AM before heading to Safariland located in Lombard. Children including boys and girls ages from 4 to 14 years had a wonderful time riding on Roller Coasters, Go Carts, Max Flight, Bumper Cars, Mary Go Round and playing other games. They also enjoyed the pizza and pop in the lunch break.
After the Safariland adventure, volunteers took the children and parents to the Islamic Foundation to offer Zuhr prayer and to give them a tour of the Masjid. "They were all very impressed with the size and beauty of the Islamic Foundation as it was their first time since they have arrived in US form Iraq to see a Masjid and school of this size and elegance," said Saad Siddiqui, coordinator of ICNA Relief Chicago chapter.
From Islamic Foundation, they were taken to ICNA Relief Thrift Store located on Ardmore and Roosevelt Rd. At the Thrift store, the parents and children picked-up cloths, shoes, toys, school bags, and many other things of their like and size free of cost. They were also given the rice, cereal, oil, canned, and other food items at no cost from the Food Pantry located inside the Thrift Store to help them prepare for the month of Ramadan. The Thrift Store was the last stop of this day long field trip and from there, volunteers took them back to their homes.
"Alhamdulillah it was a very humbling experience for all the volunteers," said Siddiqui. "The children and their parents were very happy as many of them commented that this was the most exciting day of their life since they have come to US. We would like to thank all the volunteers who spent many days preparing for this program and sacrificing the big part of their weekend with these children (many of whom are orphans) when they had the option to be with their own families and friends".
To help ICNA Relief financially or if you'd like to volunteer in the similar activities in the future, please don’t hesitate to send us an email at Relief@ICNAChicago.org.
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