The World Federation was pleased to learn about how a student from our community took the initiative to co-ordinate an Appeal at her school for the Bam Earthquake launched by the World Federation. Sister Zahra Khaki, from Sydney, Australia, used her position as the Social Issues Captain of her school to raise money for the Bam earthquake. The President of the World Federation, Dr Ahmed Hassam had the following to say, “I am delighted to note the commitment of our youth to such projects. May Allah reward them and their parents for such this deed. Ameen”.

Below is her description of how she carried out the activity.

Several weeks ago, I received the World-Federation Newsletter in the mail, this time however, it wasn’t just the newsletter I received, but with it came a booklet on the Bam Earthquake. I remembered hearing about the earthquake when it happened, but that was about it. After I saw the pictures, and the destruction caused by the earthquake, I felt motivated to help the poor lives in Iran who had lost nearly every part of their life.

I went to school the next day and had a little chat with one of my teachers. I thought I might as well take full advantage of my role as the Social Issues Captain in my school community. The group of Captains had a meeting, and we decided that we should have a day, when at lunch time we can sell food. I suggested a sausage sizzle, and everyone agreed. So it was set! We would hold a Sausages Sizzle on Monday the 7th of June 2004 at lunch to raise money for the Bam victims.

I enlarged some of the pictures from the booklet and put them up around my school to ensure that everyone was aware of where the money was going. I announced in one of our school assemblies about the occasion and explained to them that the money will be going towards helping people in Iran, who suffered from the earthquake, get their lives back. I also mentioned that the money will be used to build children’s schools, community centers and clinics.

I advised Brother Mohsin Kanji, executive councilor of the World-Federation about the program and I received a lot of support from him, which I thank him for. I also received support from my whole grade and the school itself. When the day came, the whole of the Year 12 grade was very supportive and helped with selling the food, collecting the money and encouraging people to donate. 

The day was a great success. We had fun and Alhamdulillah raised a fair amount of money. The sausages sold like hot cake. The reason for this was of course because the sausages were halal.  The only leftovers were chocolates and boxes of crisps, which we managed to sell later on during the week. We even had samosas…they were gone in the first half hour!!!