Ar-Raudah Farm- A livelihood project provided to Markaz Nurol Iman, Gang Sulon, Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao, Philippines

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65 orphans, the older girls refused to have their pictures taken

03 October 2010, Markaz Nurol Iman, Gang, Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao-

The orphanage is located 2 hours away from Cotabato City. To go there and deliver a considerable number of live animals requires proper planning. The plan was to head to the orphanage very early in the morning, and on the way there, collect the chickens from the marketplace, located halfway to the destination, and hand over the chickens to the orphans.

Thanks to the sponsor

Sister Fatima, the president of ACT Mindanao, sent the money for the construction of the chicken house in advance and instructed the Mudir of the markaz to cultivate the soil for the gardening. She also sent an amount to fence the gardening area located just beside the orphans' quarters. The markaz has a large area suitable for growing animals and vegetables, one of the reasons it was chosen over others. This markaz has 65 orphans (boys and girls). Fatima had a worried laugh when the Mudir showed confusion about the exact number of the orphans. If he doesn't monitor the children closely, how would he know if someone goes missing. Hopefully, the kids will alert him.

85 free range chickens (ayam kampung), give healthier meat and eggs

The Mudir receives about PhP1700 per month, about RM 125, while the kids get a total of PhP700 a month (RM 51) to cover for everything they need including food and other basic needs. These meager amounts come from middle eastern donors who also provided the buildings for the orphans. The amount is never enough and they need assistance to sustain them.

Alhamdulillah, ACT managed to get some funding from an unlikely source- the international students of Multimedia University, Malaysia. This project will hopefully augment their food supply and teach them about resourcefulness and responsibility and hopefully, it will be a source of happiness for them, too.

gardening area where vegetables (eggplant, tomaotes, etc.) will be grown, 

needs to be fenced to keep away the chickens

The Mudir and the children are very grateful for the help and extend their gratitude to Allah and the sponsors. The children's happy faces mirrored our joy. They don't want to let go of the chickens. 

by tagging the chickens, it would be easier to identify and catch them

Before ACT Mindanao left the place, the Mudir asked if another project is possible, two small open cottages-one for boys and one for girls. He said that their quarters gets very hot especially in the midday. Kids go outside and rest under whatever shade they can find. If they have a "pondok", they can hang around and rest there between their chores and classes. One cottage would cost about PhP5000, the same amount with the chicken house. In fact, before the chickens were delivered, the chicken house became the favorite spot of the kids, a retreat from the hot and humid quarters of the markaz.

Shared by: Kurais Abdullah Karim