In many regions The Zahra Trust serves, winter brings extreme hardship for vulnerable families. Without proper heating, clothing, or shelter, children, widows, and the elderly face increased risks of illness, hunger, and exposure to freezing temperatures.
When winter arrives, many of us reach for a warm coat or turn on the heater without a second thought.
So how does winter really affect these families, and how can we respond with compassion and action?
“And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, [saying], ‘We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude.’” (Quran 76:8–9)
Your compassion, your giving, and your faith could change the life of a desperate family in need.
This is the power of your generosity.
A Winter No Family Should Have to Endure
When the temperature drops, the struggles rise.
Children miss school because of illness or because families can’t afford warm clothes or shoes.
Widows and single mothers must choose between heating their homes or buying food.
Elderly people risk severe illness from the cold, often with no one to care for them.
And across many regions, families live in poorly insulated shelters, tents, or makeshift homes with no heating or hot water.
In these moments, warmth is not a comfort. It is a matter of survival.
Ikhlas’s Story: Finding Warmth in the Midst of Grief
Ikhlas Jassim Madhloom is a 40-year-old widow living in Najaf, Iraq.
Just two years ago, her life was shattered when her husband died in a tragic accident while driving his small tuk-tuk.
In an instant, Ikhlas became the sole caretaker of seven children with no income, no education, and no one to turn to.
Her only support was a small monthly stipend of 65,000 Iraqi dinars, barely enough to buy bread.
They live in a modest, makeshift house on disputed land, without proper insulation or basic utilities.
During the winter months, the bitter cold would seep through every wall. The water was freezing. The children couldn’t bathe. Colds turned into chest infections.
Ikhlas would watch her little ones shiver in silence, with nothing to offer them but prayers.
When she was finally able to reach out to The Zahra Trust, you were the reason we could respond.
Thanks to your generosity, we provided a water heater and a heater for warmth. Two small items.
But to Ikhlas, they were life-changing.
“You have given me and my children more than warmth,” she said with tears in her eyes. “You have given us safety and comfort in the hardest of days. I pray for you, by the intercession of Imam Hussein and the family of the Prophet, that God protects you from all harm.”
You have the power to immediately bring warmth, hope, and care into the lives of so many vulnerable people like Ikhlas.
All it takes is putting care into action, and faith into giving.
What Did You Make Possible Last Winter?
Last winter, thousands of families like Ikhlas’s received vital aid thanks to your compassion.
Your support allowed us to act quickly and flexibly, delivering:
- 15,620 people with warm and nourishing food
- 621 people with protective winter clothing
- 73 people with new heating systems for their homes
We were able to reach widows, orphans, displaced families, and the elderly; giving them dignity, comfort, and protection during the harshest months of the year.
Together, We Can Bring Warmth and Hope
Winter is coming again.
And for many families, it brings the same fears: Will my children get sick? Will we have enough food? How will we stay warm?
But there’s something you can do, right now.
Your gift today can bring:
- A heater to a cold room
- A warm coat to a child walking to school
- A hot meal to someone who hasn’t eaten in days
- And hope to a mother like Ikhlas, who just wants to protect her children
Together, we can protect families from the cold and bring them hope this winter.
FAQ
Families need essential items such as heaters, blankets, winter clothing, hot meals, and fuel. These simple provisions can prevent cold-related illnesses, allow children to attend school, and protect the most at-risk individuals from life-threatening conditions.
The Zahra Trust provides emergency winter aid including heating units, warm clothing, food packages, and water heaters to families in need. Aid is delivered quickly thanks to unrestricted donations, ensuring support reaches communities when they need it most.
Unrestricted donations allow The Zahra Trust to respond flexibly and immediately to urgent needs. This means we can deliver warmth, food, and medical aid without delay, especially in extreme weather emergencies where every hour matters.
By making an unrestricted donation, you can provide life-saving winter support to vulnerable families. Your gift helps bring warmth, food, and hope to widows, orphans, and displaced communities across The Zahra Trust’s regions.
