| 35-year old Jobeda lives Faridpur District, Bangladesh and benefited from Islamic Relief’s food distribution last Ramadhan. She has two daughters, one is married and the other is still at school. Since her husband left her 16 years ago she has struggled to provide for her family. She works as a tailor but unfortunately the work is irregular and she does not earn very much.
As Jobeda’s son-in-law is not working she provides the only income for the family, but she finds it hard to buy enough food for her family. “Now the price of essential goods is higher than the previous year, and we are not able to have meat or fish in our meals,” she said. “It is quite impossible to buy sugar, peas or kitchen utensils. Last year we bought rice at 15 taka per kilogramme but now the price has risen to 25 taka. Our little income is not enough to support us.”
“The Ramadan food parcel provides us with 10kg rice, 2 kg lentils, 1 kg peas, 1 kg sugar and 1 litre of oil,” Jobeda said. “Now during iftar I can have sarbat. (home-made lemonade made from sugar, lemon and water that is traditionally drunk at iftar in Bangladesh) My daughter will be very happy when she finds peas and sarbat during iftar.”
“This food parcel allows me to save some money. By saving money I can make my dream a reality. My dream is to ensure my younger daughter has an education. This kind of assistance can fulfil my desire.”
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