Day 7: Cards that Care

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Every Muslim has to give in charity." The people then asked: "(But what) if someone has nothing to give, what should he do?" The Prophet replied: "He should work with his hands and benefit himself and also give in charity (from what he earns)." The people further asked: "If he cannot find even that?" He replied: "He should help the needy who appeal for help." Then the people asked: "If he cannot do (even) that?" The Prophet said finally: "Then he should perform good deeds and keep away from evil deeds, and that will be regarded as charitable deeds."   Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadith 524

Sunday afternoon was spent with a house full of visiting family -- parents, brother, sister-in-law, nephews, cousins, aunt and uncle.   Summer stories were shared, iftaar recipes exchanged, Eid cards made.  Saanya has been making and selling cards to raise money to help children go to school around the world for the past six years.  What started off as a lesson to teach a nine year old that she holds the power to change the world in her own hands, has turned into a family-supported effort, raising over $26,000 for children's charities -- one card at a time.Our wooden dining table, covered with a red plastic table cloth, was strewn with cut-out moons and stars, stickers, gems, paper, punches, stamps, and glitter.   Saanya and her mammis giggled and glued the afternoon away -- a cacophony of color and creativity.  The cards turned out beautifully.  Some with arabesque designs, others with gold moons and colorful, sparkling stars.  Each one unique. Each one holding the promise of education for a child somewhere in the world.   Day 7: Deed 7: Creating cards that care.PS:  If you need Eid cards, or any other kind of cards, please let us know. One hundred percent of the proceeds go to NGOs that promote children’s education.  For more information about Saanya and Zayd’s card project, here's an article in the current issue of Saudi Aramco World:  http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/201104/one.card.at.a.time.htm