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Tuesday, July 9, 2024

Munira's Story: An artists Hope in Yemen

Mahnoor Rana

In the heart of Yemen, where conflict and economic instability have taken a heavy toll, communities grapple with severe hardships daily. Among them is Munira Salem Jamaan Omeer, a 23-year-old woman from the Tareem District in the Hadramout Governorate. Her story is one of resistance and determination within harsh conditions, and it highlights the urgent need for support in these challenging times.

Life in Tareem District

Munira's life is a reflection of the broader struggles faced by many in her community. The Tareem District, primarily sustained by agriculture and small-scale businesses, has seen its economy crippled due to ongoing conflict. The high cost of living and the scarcity of job opportunities have made daily survival a frightening challenge for its residents.

For Munira, these difficulties are intensified by her mobility disability that not only limits her movement but is keeping her from her dream to go to school and help her family.

A Family Struggling to Survive

Munira lives with her father, Salem Jamaan, who is the family's sole breadwinner.

Despite his relentless efforts, is earns only 10,000 Yemeni riyals per week through various jobs. With a family of six boys and four girls, ranging from 4 to 30 years old his paycheck is not enough to support them even for the essential living items.

Although they live in a modest home with three rooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen- the overcrowded living conditions and limited resources make it difficult to provide sufficient food, often leading to malnutrition and health issues.

Daily Challenges and Hopes for the Future

Munira's daily life is a testament to her strength and creativity. Despite her mobility disability, she has developed a passion for drawing, using her leg to create beautiful artworks. This creative outlet offers her a sense of accomplishment and a much-needed escape from her harsh reality. However, the overarching worry about her future and the well-being of her family remains a constant burden.

"We feel exhausted, fearful, and anxious as the crisis in our country continues to worsen. The high cost of living, limited job opportunities, and our inability to provide for our children's daily needs weigh heavily on us. Adding to our worries is the fact that she is sick and unable to work," Munira shares.

The Bread and Foodstuff Project: A Beacon of HopeIn response to these dire circumstances, a project has been established to support four bread factories across Yemen, including one in the Hadramout Governorate. This initiative aims to provide bread to orphans, widows, and disabled individuals in food-insecure families, like Munira's, for ten continuous months. Each bread factory has the capacity to produce 10,000 bread loaves per day, ensuring that every beneficiary receives two 60-gram loaves daily. This project not only addresses immediate hunger but also offers a semblance of stability in their otherwise precarious lives.

Munira's Message to Donors

Munira's message to those who make this project possible is one of deep gratitude and hope. "Thank you for your support. Please continue to support Muslims Hands Bread factory project. Your help is changing my life”

Despite the challenges posed by her social and health condition, Munira's longing to pursue higher education signifies her belief in the transformative power of education and the opportunities it can provide. Her hope for the future likely involves breaking through the barriers that currently limit her academic pursuits, including finding ways to overcome the obstacle of distance and accessing the necessary support systems to accommodate her specific needs. 

Munira's story is a tender reminder of the toughness of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Its also a reminder of how your continued support for initiatives that provide essential aid to vulnerable communities in Yemen is making a change. By helping us help individuals like Munira, we can offer them not only sustenance but also the hope and strength to pursue their dreams, despite the obstacles they face.

Let us stand together with Munira and her community, ensuring that their struggles do not go unnoticed and their hopes for a better future are not in vain.


Muslim Hands USA

Muslim Hands is an international aid agency and NGO working worldwide to help those affected by natural disasters, conflict and poverty. Muslim Hands USA is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization (No. 27-4155655).