UAE- FB post that inspired children into giving

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)Hundreds of workers in Ajman Sharjah and Fujairah received the "homely Iftar experience with kids" during the holy month of Ramadan thanks to an initiative by an Ajman-based Indian expatriate who wanted to teach his children the lesson "sharing is caring."

Fazil Musthafa a sales executive said he has always felt that several expat children living a secluded life in flats do not even share their unwanted toys.

"They are seeing the happy side of life living in full luxury" pointed out Fazil. "They may not understand the plight of the less blessed people around us unless we show it to them. We say charity should begin at home ... but it should not end at home." From the first day of the holy month he started taking his children - Farhaz 7 and Farah 2 - to labour accommodations with Iftar kits prepared by his wife Shajina.

What began as his personal initiative to instill human values in his children became a community initiative within days after Fazil posted the pictures and experiences on Facebook.

Parents who were touched by the moving pictures wanted their children also to experience the gratifying moments and practically understand the meaning of the poem they have learnt 'Little deeds of kindness make our earth a heaven.'

"Over 100 children have joined us so far and some 70 per cent of their parents were strangers to

me" Fazil told Khaleej Times when contacted on Wednesday.

People from different walks of life including a doctor and a radio journalist brought food with their children and their participation gave wider publicity to the initiative.

"It has been heartwarming to see so many non-Muslim families join us. One pregnant woman volunteered to cook and distribute 50 kits along with her five-year-old son. Another couple celebrated their daughter's birthday with labourers. Some parents who could not cook for many ordered from hotels."

Receiving homemade food from children was an overwhelming experience for many workers says an accommodation boss M.S who did not want to be identified.

He said plain white rice and lentil had been the menu for lunch and dinner for hundreds of workers of the Ajman-based construction company that has been shut since the past nine months.

On Tuesday things changed for the 400 workers who have not been receiving salaries since September.

Dozens of children and their parents Muslims and non-Muslims visited them at their labour accommodation.

While parents helped in carrying the heavy food packets and spreading the plastic sheets for the workers to sit and end the fast their little ones distributed the food. Apart from fruits juices water and laban drinks that are bought from shops the Iftar kits had homemade chicken biryani or ghee rice and chicken curry.

"It was a first of its kind experience and everyone felt very happy" said M.S.

Workers of a labour supply company at another accommodation went through the similar experience. "Whenever somebody used to donate Iftar they used to send parcels to the camp. But this time we were very happy that these children and parents served the food and also sat together with us to eat meals. Some took photos with the kids" said its camp boss Joseph Paul Arouje.

Fazil said he has already started seeing gradual changes in his child. "Once my son felt sad when he saw two workers had come in late after we finished the Iftar distribution. Suddenly he said maybe the rest of the workers would be sharing the food with them just like how we did."

Farhaz who used to run to the grocery for chocolates or chips with coins left behind by his father has now started saving them. "I heard him saying he will save them to serve food to poor workers in our village when we go back home" said Fazil.

He hopes his initiative will inspire more parents to come forward to sow the seeds of sharing and caring in their children's minds not just during Ramadan but always.

Sajila Saseendran