Our minds may remain distracted but our soul longs for the feeling. The spiritual uplift, the connection with others and the serenity within. There’s a stillness in the air and in our hearts, and that’s how you know it’s Ramadhan.

It’s been a few months since we were visited by the blessed month. Although we may be struggling to keep up with our Ibadah and good intentions of the month, you will be pleased to know your actions within the month could be still be benefiting you, many months later.

The impact you had

To help HHUGS families prepare for the Ramadhan, and experience the sweetness of the month, you gifted them Ramadhan gift boxes. Due to your generosity, we provided:

  • 352 adults and 186 children with Ramadhan gift boxes
  • £11220 of Eid gift vouchers distributed to 367 adults and 194 children  
  • £6660 of Ramadhan food vouchers, distributed to 68 household

Although we remember Ramadan fondly, filled with heartwarming memories, not everyone is able to reminisce lovingly. For HHUGS families, Ramadhan is often a time where the empty seat at the iftar table is a heartbreaking reminder that a parent is absent. But by providing these families with support and reminders to ease their burden, and uplift them, it makes their Ramadan that little bit more special.

“Ramadhan is a time of joy and unity for the Ummah. Sadly, in my situation I do not feel like this, SubhanAllah. I feel detached, lonely and depressed. HHUGS is always there to show me that I do not have to struggle alone and reminds me that I am part of the Ummah.

“I felt included, understood and remembered when I received my Gift Box, alhamdulillah. It was a wonderful surprise that filled my heart with many moments of happiness! I have support, understanding, empathy and love for Allah’s sake from HHUGS, alhamdulillah.”

You’ve had a huge impact as you’ve filled their hearts with happiness and hope for many Ramadhans to come. To make this all happen, it’s the generosity from you, and the hard work of our team to deliver a bundle of love to our families.

The impact you had

To help you understand the behind-the-scenes of making this happen, we’re talking to the people who helped make it happen. Hearing from Olinoor, our Male Casework Coordinator who was supporting the project at the time. It was his first time helping on the project, and it left a lasting impression on him.

He explains a little more about the Ramadhan gift packages, and the purpose behind them.

“The Ramadan Gift Box campaign is a beautiful campaign that provides a gift to the beneficiary at a time where people in the community are able to celebrate, share gifts and engage their own families and we want our beneficiaries to also share this special moment.”

Your donation helped us make this happen. It’s an important part of our work, and it uplifts spirits and serves a much-needed purpose. Olinoor touches more on the importance of it: “We live in a compartmentalized individualistic society where many of us could live next door to our neighbours for years, or even decades on end, without getting to know them or even knowing their names, and this makes it hard to build a sense of community and love within the community.”

That sense of community is what makes Ramadhan what it is – be it praying in congregation or sharing treats with your neighbour. It’s all about checking in, and we can often forget how it feels for those who are without that sense of belonging.

“It reminds us we are part of a bigger family. Knowing people who are strangers care. This Ramadhan, there’s hope for us all.”

Although sharing a Ramadhan gift box or vouchers may not seem like a mighty act for our donors, it’s a big act in our scales, and for the person who is receiving it. After working on the project, and assisting in the delivery, Olinoor experienced first-hand the impact it has.

“Going into the Ramadan gift box campaign, I had underappreciated the gifts, as merely a nice gesture to the beneficiaries. But having taken part in it and handing the gifts directly to beneficiaries made me realise that actions I perceive as small can have great impact on others.  It reminded me of the depths of the hadith where the Prophet (saw) described smiling at someone as a form of sadaqah.”

Our Beneficriary Campaigns Coordinator recalls her experience of the Ramadan gift boxes, and goes into more detail of the process, and what they included.

“It is my role to plan and organise all the campaigns that HHUGS facilitates throughout the year for HHUGS’ families. Coming up to my third year organising and supporting with the Ramadhan Campaign, it has been incredibly rewarding to see the variety and creativity when putting together a gift box for our families.”

For this year’s gift box, we included the following items:

  • Bukhoor Gift Set
  • Dates
  • Children’s Book by the Azharis
  • Ramadhan Decorations
  • Ramadan Reflections Book (by Aliyah Umm Raiyaan)
  • Radiant Prayers Book
  • Sweet Jars
  • Digital Print

The gift boxes are carefully planned for and packaged lovingly. The hard work gone into making it perfect for our families is recognised by our families, and appreciated. They’re made to feel that extra bit special.

“The HHUGS gift box is something my children and I look forwards to every year! The contents are always very fun and cater to everyone’s different interests. It’s a beautiful feeling to know that you’re remembered and thought of by people who barely know you. May Allah bless this Ummah and those who work to preserve its unity. Ameen!”

You’re in the heart of our families who were uplifted by your generosity and kindness. You went out of your way to support strangers who you know are struggling. As you go about your life, months post Ramadan, they’re still remembering you in their hearts and du’as. It’s a reminder to never underestimate a good deed or act – it will cause rip