“Nothing kills us but the rising cost of food.”
At 81 years old, Shoeia has outlived her husband and their ten children. She is no stranger to tragedy and recalls a time when she found herself homeless with nowhere to sleep and nothing to eat. She became a street-vendor selling henna and sweets but in the last six months her health has deteriorated so much that she cannot leave the house.
Depending on other’s kindness Shoeia now lives with her in-laws in their one-room home. She wants to contribute to the household income but is not well enough to work. She cannot get access to any medical care because all the clinics are privately run and too expensive. Shoeia is forced to depend on the kindness of others but the food crisis is affecting everyone in her village.
Forced to eat leaves “This is the shoe year,” Shoeia told Islamic Relief, “because people have to eat whatever they find under their shoes. People are eating Halas and Dabar leaves because food is so expensive. Nothing kills us except the price hikes. “Before the crisis, we used to eat everything. We had cows and sheep. Now people are crowding into our house to eat. We are coping by helping each other; everyone shares food with each other. We all rely on Allah.”
Blessings of Ramadan
Despite the food crisis Ramadan is a very special month for Shoeia. She loves fasting, praying and feeling closer to God. “Ramadan comes with many blessings,” she explained. “I sit at home waiting to see who will give me food to break my fast, maybe a cup of coffee and bread. “During the night I sit alone, pray and ask Allah for forgiveness. Sometimes before the start of the fast I eat leftovers, other days I eat nothing.”
Food for a month
When Islamic Relief delivered a Ramadan food parcel to Shoeia she said, “This is the best thing that’s happened to me! This food will help me for rest of the month. I will make bread from the flour and the oil and will use the date to break my fast. Now I don’t have to sit and wait, hoping someone will come by and share their food with me.”
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