Every year Islamic Relief distributes Ramadan food packs to the underprivileged to bring happiness in their lives. One of the rightsholders Islamic Relief serves is 36-year-old widow Tayeba and her children, who live in Bhasan Char Rohingya Camp.  

From Hardship to Greater Hardship 

Tayeba became a widow after her husband was tortured and brutally killed by the Myanmar Armed Forces. She had no choice but to flee to Bangladesh to save her and her children’s lives.  

Two years ago, she was relocated to Bhasan Char, an island far away from the mainland with inadequate facilities.  

Worse still for Tayeba are her prospects for the future. Within the camp, there are no job opportunities for the refugees. Due to her low educational level, she is struggling to find a suitable job. Without a stable income, she faces financial hardship with her four children.  

“My life is miserable. I lost my husband and now I am helpless with my four orphan children. We were sent to this island and since then we have been living in a building. However, I wish if I had a fixed income of my own, we would have lived better. We are struggling for survival.” 

Struggling to Provide for Her Children  

“My children are malnourished and suffer from protein deficiency. I cannot afford to arrange eggs, chicken, meat, milk, and fruits for them.    

“Being a mother, I feel sad when I cannot arrange anything for them even if it is a small thing. Last month, my son Osman wished to have an egg on his dinner menu, but I could not afford to give him. He was very upset and slept without having dinner.  

“It was so painful to me as I could not buy just an egg. I cried the whole night realising my situation.” 

Alongside food, Tayeba also struggles to send her children to school and afford the medicine they need. 

“My children go to a school run by the NGO. They need a private tutor, however, I cannot afford to keep a tutor for them.  

“Sometimes if they are sick and need to see a doctor, it is even difficult to buy medicine. I cannot provide proper medicine when they fall sick.” 

Ramadan as a Refugee 

My daily life is a bit different during Ramadan. I wake up very early to cook pre-dawn (Suhur) meal. After having our Suhur, we offer Fajr prayer. I also prepare a day-long meal for my younger kids as they cannot fast.  

“Ramadan always reminds me of the days which we used to pass in our country. I miss my husband the most. We used to have Iftar and prayer together. My husband used to take us for Eid shopping. I miss my husband as well as my homeland immensely.    

“When we were kids and used to keep fasting, my parents used to arrange good Iftar to treat and to encourage us. As a mother, I wish to apply the same to my children but reality is difficult.  

“During Ramadan, my children wish to have special food items. I have no money to buy some special food items during Ramadan.    

How Islamic Relief Has Helped 

“I have been familiar with Islamic Relief since the very first day of my relocation to Bhasanchar. Every month I receive a monthly food ration from them.  

“I had the opportunity to participate in one of their adolescent awareness sessions, in which my girls participated as well. Last year, I also received the Qurbani Meat pack.  

“We have been receiving Ramadan food packs for the last 2 years from Islamic Relief. My children are happy when they have this Ramadan pack. They were so excited about having it. I was very concerned about what would I arrange for them during Ramadan.  

“The food supply has been a great relief and we now concentrate more on prayers. I hope I will be able to complete Ramadan with this food pack.   

“Islamic Relief has distributed food packs in our community as well. It brings immense joy to our community.  

“I hope Islamic Relief will continue providing Ramadan food packs every year because it is a blessing to poor people like us.  

“The Ramadan Food pack is enough for my family and we are extremely happy and pleased. I am so grateful to Islamic Relief. I pray for them.”