What Difference Does Your Generosity Make in a Widow’s Life This Winter?
“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 sake 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 someone in need.
Here’s how your generosity made all the difference in the world.
Warmth to a Mother’s Winter Without a Husband
Four winters.
That’s how long Hamida, a 36-year-old widow in Kabul, Afghanistan, has braved the cold without her husband.
Since his passing, she’s carried the weight of her small family: three daughters depending solely on her strength.
Life for Hamida isn’t just hard, it’s humbling.
The family lives in a single-room rented house, where the kitchen, hallway, and living space are all one.
There’s no separate room to escape to, no warm corner in the depths of winter, unless the fire is lit.
And in Kabul’s bitter cold, without fuel, even hope can fade.
Hope Against All Odds
Her only lifeline has been occasional help from relatives, but that isn’t enough when the snow falls and the cold creeps into their home.
What worried her most wasn’t just the chill in her bones, it was the fear in her daughters’ eyes when the nights turned cold and the fire went out.
And yet, even in the face of hardship, Hamida didn’t give up.
She kept going, kept praying, and kept believing in the kindness of others.
Thanks to You, a Turning Point in the Cold
In January 2025, your generosity brought something more than fuel. It brought relief.
Through The Zahra Trust’s Winter Aid project, Hamida received 280 kilograms of coal. Enough to warm her home, at least for a while.
And the moment that coal arrived?
“A smile appeared on the faces of Hamida’s three daughters,” our field officer recalls.
“Their mother joyfully said, ‘May God grant health and happiness to all of you and everyone who contributed to this support.’”
The fire was lit. The cold kept out.
And for the first time that winter, Hamida’s home was filled with something rare: warmth, comfort, and peace.
Hope Preserved, Smiles Restored
Thanks to you, Hamida didn’t just receive coal. She received care, love, and hope.
No longer needing to beg or borrow, she could meet one of her family’s most urgent needs with honour. She could look her daughters in the eyes and tell them: “We are safe tonight.”
And that single act of warmth extended beyond her home.
Neighbours saw the support. Community members felt the ripple of kindness.
Because of You, Hope Burns Brighter
Hamida’s story is not one of helplessness. It’s one of resilience.
She is a mother doing everything she can for her daughters. And your giving didn’t just help her survive; it helped her stand tall through the harshest season of the year.
The Zahra Trust’s work doesn’t end with one delivery of fuel.
There are still unmet needs: adequate shelter, education for the girls, and stable income.
But this one act of kindness was a start. A step forward. A reason to hope.
Last year, you helped us reach 33,774 people during the winter of 2024, which included:
- 15,620 people with warm and nourishing food
- 621 people with protective winter clothing
- 73 people with new heating systems for their homes
This winter, let’s come together again.
Every Act of Giving Carries a Story of Transformation
Behind every donation is a story like Hamida’s.
A mother staying strong for her children. A family kept warm through your kindness. A moment of relief in the midst of struggle.
Thanks to you, this story is possible.
And for every family like Hamida’s, your generosity isn’t just about aid. It’s about restoring hope. Creating smiles. Spreading love.
It is about being a part of a movement of unity, faith, and devotion to care for all, following in the footsteps of our beloved Ahlulbayt (as).
This is the power of your generosity.
FAQ
The Zahra Trust provides essential winter aid, including fuel like coal, to widows and vulnerable families. In Hamida’s case, your donations helped keep her home warm and her children safe from cold-related illnesses during Afghanistan’s harsh winter.
The Winter Aid Program typically includes coal or other heating materials, warm clothing, blankets, and sometimes food parcels. It’s designed to protect families from severe cold and prevent health risks during winter.
Afghanistan experiences harsh winters with heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures. Many families, especially widows and orphans, live in poorly insulated homes without proper heating. Winter aid helps them survive safely and with dignity.
Despite logistical challenges like blocked roads or snowfall, The Zahra Trust staff deliver aid directly, often using wheelbarrows or carrying supplies by hand to ensure families in remote areas receive support.
Every donation goes directly to those in need. Stories like Hamida’s show the real-life impact your support has, keeping families warm, restoring hope, and preserving dignity. The Zahra Trust shares verified case stories and field reports to maintain full transparency.
While some aid is seasonal, The Zahra Trust also runs long-term programs in education, housing, food security, and healthcare to help families rebuild their lives with independence and resilience.
