Hamite lives in a remote Albanian village with her 4 children. Following the death of her husband, she has struggled to make ends meet.
“My children and I live on the £30 per month the state provides to help families in need. Alhamdulillah, my children are healthy and haven’t missed out on food so far,” Hamite, 32, says.
“The basic food [we eat] is pasta, rice, pancakes, soup and sometimes vegetables. I try to plant vegetables for us to eat but our village lacks drinking water and that makes all the work go to waste… With the income I have, I can’t even buy bread for the children.”
The family’s house is old and invaded by damp. The electricity supply is very weak and so her 2-burner electric stove does not always work. When that happens, Hamite uses a small gas cylinder to cook.
“Life in the village is very difficult. There are few families left here as most have migrated abroad or moved to the city,” Hamite explains. “There is no road, no services, no water. There is an ambulance here, but it doesn’t work. Just imagine, the children have to walk an hour-and-a-half’s round trip to reach school.”
‘Even a grain of rice seems a lot to me’
Islamic Relief helped to ease Hamite’s burden by providing her family with a package of meat to celebrate Eid al-Adha last year.
“I am in such a difficult situation that even a grain of rice seems a lot to me. When I received the package, I felt relief. My first thought was that now I will have delicious food for the family, and my second was the hope that no one is without food on their table.
“As a child, I grew up in a family with difficulties and I know very well what it means to do without. Maybe we have empty stomachs, but our hearts are filled with many other blessings.
“Thanks to Allah for the goodness that has given me 4 healthy children, that he calmed my mind after my husband passed away and continues to give me the strength and the will to face the challenges I face every day.
“It’s not easy to raise 4 children alone, but I am convinced that I have God by my side, and Islamic Relief too. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you have done for my family. May Allah reward your generous donors in this life and the hereafter.”
