The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown took a toll on many employed – even casual workers – to remain employed or seek work within the lockdown circumstances. This impacted heavily on the families and children of the unemployed. Darul Ihsan Humanitarian Centre was called upon to assist many people who found themselves unemployed.
A recent recipient of empowerment explains : “We were desperate. We had to find some form of income to support our families. Some of my associates and I saw an opportunity of running a tuck shop for the staff of a huge factory. We took the initiative and approached the NCP factory in Durban to run a tuck shop supplying items to the staff which were not available at the factory canteen.
Fortunately, the management of the factory were happy for this and offered us to use their custom built truck in the adjoining parking area of the factory. However, the truck was not equipped with the equipment and fixtures for us to run the tuck shop and NCP said it was our responsibility to do this.
This was a stumbling-block for us. We heard from some people in our community that we should approach an organisation called Darul Ihsan Humanitarian Centre for assistance. This we did and we were not only relieved that somebody would listen to our plea for assistance but after assessing the situation, granted us the assistance we required. We cannot find the words to describe our gratitude to Darul Ihsan Centre for their assistance.
The tuck shop is now fully operational and run by 6 people who couldn’t find any employment in the difficult circumstances of the COVID-19 lockdown. Both the factory who provided us the opportunity and those who provided us with the equipment to run the tuck shop changed the lives of all of us and our families. For us this is UBUNTU!”
Darul Ihsan Humanitarian Centre is a Public Benefit Organisation providing relief to many in our communities who face difficulties in their day to day lives.One of its key missions is to empower and educate people so that they can sustain themselves and their families. These outreaches are made possible through the generous contributions and ongoing support of the Muslim community.
