Success Story: How Zakat for Orphans & Widows Transformed Liza’s Livelihood

The impact of your Zakat for Orphans & Widows is best reflected in the lives of resilient mothers like Liza Khatun. Living in a tiny shanty on government-owned land in the Char-Thanapara slum of Kushtia, the twenty-eight-year-old Liza was once a symbol of extreme poverty. With a family of four and no land of her own, she struggled every day to provide a basic meal for her children. Her journey from the brink of despair to becoming a confident micro-entrepreneur is a powerful example of how strategic social intervention can rewrite a person’s destiny.

For years, Liza fought a silent battle against hunger and uncertainty. Her only source of income was selling seasonal rice cakes (pithas) by the banks of the Gorai River. However, due to a severe lack of capital, she had to sell her food on a broken, open table. This meant her products were constantly exposed to dust, smoke, and unhygienic conditions. Despite her hard work, the lack of proper tools kept customers away, leaving her unable to afford her children’s education or a better future for her family.

It was at this critical juncture that FAIR (Friends Association for Integrated Revolution) stepped in with a sustainable solution. By utilizing funds dedicated to Zakat for Poor & Needy, FAIR provided Liza with a modern, glass-protected food rack. This was not just a piece of furniture; it was a tool for dignity. This intervention allowed her to move from a vulnerable “open-air” vendor to a professional food seller, ensuring that her business could thrive even in challenging conditions. Today, Liza is no longer just a victim of circumstance but a provider for her family’s dreams.

The Struggle Against Poverty and Unsafe Food Conditions

Liza Khatun’s life in the slums of Kushtia was a constant cycle of hardship. Without any assets or savings, she attempted to support her family through her small pitha business. However, selling food in an open environment created a significant barrier. Customers were hesitant to buy food that was exposed to the roadside dust of the riverbank. The health risks associated with her setup meant her daily income remained stagnant, and she often returned home with unsold food and a heavy heart. To Empower the Poor with Zakat, it is essential to identify these specific barriers to growth and remove them.

FAIR Zakat Fund: A Turning Point for Liza

Recognizing her determination, FAIR, with financial support from the Bangladesh NGO Foundation, provided Liza with a custom-made wooden glass rack. This intervention is a prime example of the Best Way to Give Zakat. Instead of providing a one-time meal, providing a business tool ensures long-term sustainability. This project falls under our broader Zakat for Livelihood Projects, where the goal is to turn a Zakat recipient into a self-reliant individual. With her new rack, Liza’s food stayed fresh, warm, and, most importantly, hygienic.

Ensuring Food Safety and Increasing Income

The transformation was almost immediate. Once the glass rack was installed, customers began to trust the quality of Liza’s food. By ensuring 100% food safety from germs and dust, she attracted a much larger clientele. This professional upgrade did more than just increase sales; it gave Liza a sense of pride. In the realm of Islamic Charity for Widows and struggling mothers, providing the means to earn a clean living is the highest form of support. Liza’s business became a model for other small vendors in the Char-Thanapara area.

A Future Built on Dignity and Education

Today, Liza Khatun’s daily income has tripled. She is no longer worried about where the next meal will come from. Instead, she is focused on her children’s schooling. Her two children are now regular students, and she is consistently saving money for their higher education. Liza has transitioned from being a landless, struggling woman to a successful entrepreneur.

“I used to sell food in the open, and many people stayed away because of the dust. Now, with this glass rack, everyone eats without fear, and my sales have skyrocketed. I can finally dream of a bright future for my children.” — Liza Khatun

Donate Now: Turn Your Zakat into a Livelihood

Liza’s story proves that when you Give Zakat Wisely, you don’t just feed a person for a day; you change their life forever. Every year, millions of people in Bangladesh distribute Zakat in the form of cheap clothes or small cash amounts, which often fail to break the cycle of poverty. However, through the FAIR Zakat Fund, your contribution is used to buy sewing machines, mobile vans, or shop counters—tools that provide a permanent income.

We appeal to you to Donate Zakat to help us reach more mothers like Liza. Your contribution can be the bridge between a family’s suffering and their ultimate success. A single decision from you today can transform a struggling household into a self-sufficient unit that may one day become a Zakat-giver itself.

How to Donate?

Support our mission to empower marginalized communities in Kushtia by using the following payment methods:

• 💰 Bkash (Merchant): 01856 442 496 (Use ‘Make Payment’)
• 💰 Bkash/Nagad (Personal): 01712 619 176
• 🏦 Bank Account: Sonali Bank PLC, NS Road Branch, Kushtia.
  • Account Name: FAIR (Friends Association for Integrated Revolution)
  • Account Number: 3020503000019

📍 Learn more at: fair-bd.org 🌐 FAIR, Kushtia, Bangladesh.