My name is IMAM MOHMED YUSUF RAJI from Leicester (U.K.). Grateful Giving is a charity that was founded by myself in March 2023 specifically to assist disadvantaged orphans in severe need with their schooling, food, uniform, and comfortable living space.
In November 2022, I visited India for a personal visit. During my travels, while looking for a place to pray salaah, I came across a building which we thought at the time was a mosque. When praying, I noticed that there were a number of very young children at the back, so I was curious to know who these children were. I came to find out these were deprived orphans, and the place we were praying at was an orphanage.
I wanted to know more about the children and how they lived While on a tour of the building, I saw with my own eyes how terrible their living conditions are. The kitchen was in a terrible state, and the heat was blazing. When I asked them to show me the bedrooms, I was told the place of sleep is the floor in any space, the same place they sleep, pray, learn, and live. I wanted to learn more, so I spent much time visiting the orphanage. They didn't have any cash to keep the institution running, and seeing their deplorable living conditions melted my heart, so I decided to start a charity to support orphans around the world, starting with these children.
Alhamdulillah, As soon as our charity registered, we traveled to India to the orphanage again in May 2023 after gathering enough money during Ramadan 2023 to cover all 90 orphans' basic needs for the entire year.
In Islam, caring for an orphan is highly regarded as an act of charity. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ encouraged Muslims to care for orphans and take care of their needs. The Quran also emphasizes the importance of taking care of those who are less fortunate, including orphans.