Beyond Feeding the Hungry in Guinea

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullah,

For over three years now, Ihsan has been dedicated to supporting and providing sustenance to impoverished and disabled residents residing in the "Cité de Solidarité." Situated in Conakry, this housing complex was established by the government of Guinea in the Seventies with the intention of offering accommodation to economically disadvantaged and disabled individuals. Presently, both inside and outside the complex, numerous impoverished families reside, inhabiting deteriorating dwellings. Sadly, these residents lack employment opportunities, relying solely on charitable donations for survival.

The dire circumstances have resulted in many children being deprived of education due to financial constraints, compelling some to engage in street begging or accompany their disabled parents in seeking alms. Additionally, a significant portion of the residents, including children, grapple with disabilities, further complicating their access to education and employment opportunities.

The educational prospects for those fortunate enough to attend school within the community are grim. Substandard public schools with overcrowded classrooms and inadequate learning environments pose significant challenges to academic achievement. Upon returning home, children often find themselves unsupervised as their parents are preoccupied with securing basic necessities. Consequently, homework goes unchecked, contributing to alarmingly high dropout rates. Success in education and subsequent employment, which could potentially uplift families from poverty, remains a distant hope for many within the Cité, perpetuating the cycle of poverty across generations since its establishment in the Seventies.

Ihsan has played a crucial role over the past three years by providing essential meals to the community. Recently, thanks to a generous donor, the mosque and Quran school within the Cité underwent renovations, enhancing the religious and educational facilities available to residents.

This year, in your honor, we have launched a scholarship program aimed at assisting disadvantaged children in accessing quality education. Through a meticulous selection process, 33 of the most vulnerable children were chosen to participate in this inaugural program. They have been enrolled in Groupe Scolaire Elhadj Amadou Bah, a reputable private school, and commenced their studies on November 13, 2023.

The children were brimming with excitement on their first day at their new school. Dressed in their pristine uniforms, they stepped into a new educational environment, filled with pride at the opportunity to attend a school typically reserved for more privileged children—a dream previously unimaginable to them.

The significance of that day resonated deeply with the parents as well. The prospect of their children receiving a quality education has ignited a flame of hope within them. They continue to offer heartfelt prayers for Ihsan and its benevolent supporters.

To sponsor all 33 students for a year requires $5,366.09, roughly $162.00 per child, which amounts to less than $14 per month per child. Your generosity has made this initiative possible, and we express our gratitude for enabling us to embark on this journey. There is still much we can do to alleviate the hardships faced by the impoverished residents of Cité and similar communities we serve, particularly during Ramadan. Many of our endeavors are eligible for zakat. While we continue to address immediate needs such as food assistance, we are also committed to nurturing their aspirations for self-sufficiency. We eagerly welcome your suggestions and financial contributions in support of these endeavors.

In the coming days, we intend to introduce you to these children gradually, allowing you to develop a deeper understanding of the individuals whose lives you are impacting and uplifting. Safiyatou Diallo is one such child from Cité whom we have enrolled in a private school. With the grace of Allah, a bright future awaits her.

All donations received from this blessed Friday until Monday, unless specified otherwise, will be allocated to the needy residents of Cité Solidarite, particularly the children. We are eager to connect these children with individual sponsors who wish to make a direct and lasting impact on their lives.

May Allah accept our efforts and bless us all abundantly.

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