Petmat lives in Chechnya with her husband, Isa, and 4 children. A stroke 4 years ago left Isa unable to work and Petmat was forced to give up her tailoring job to care for the children.
“We have to go without some foods, and I buy only the most necessary products,” Petmat says. “Now, as the prices have risen so suddenly, I don’t even know what to expect and I feel very insecure.
“During tough times, we try hard to stay within our budget but often relatives have to support us with food and clothes. Sometimes, we even think about selling the house…”
Isa’s pension and benefits for the children provide some income and the family grow vegetables in their garden, where they also keep a few hens and a calf. Petmat’s 2 sons, Aslanbek and Sulumbek, are training to become welders and her daughters Seda and Kheda, are in high school.
“During Ramadan, all the adults in our family fast,” Petmat explains. “We try to make the most of our time, saying more duas, praying more and learning about our religion. Ramadan is a precious month for us.
“In the evening, we meet at the table for iftar and our children share what they did and who they met that day. For their father and I, it is a great joy!”
Sharing the burden
Petmat’s family were among 1,700 Chechen households to receive a food parcel from Islamic Relief last year. The parcel, which contained flour, rice, buckwheat, sugar, macaroni, flower seed and tea, helped the family break their fast during the holy month.
“For families like mine, Islamic Relief’s food distribution means a lot,” Petmat says. “For my family, these products will be enough for most of Ramadan. I won’t have to worry about what to feed them, so it’s a great relief for me. This aid also helps me save up some money for the coming Eid al-Fitr.
“To everyone who makes the food distribution possible; may Allah grant you wellbeing in this world and in the next!”
