Hyderabad: Ismaili citizen volunteers serve 1200 meals in Hyderabad and Secunderabad on weekends as part of its annual Ramzan food service program.
Distribution is conducted at three locations: the home of the disabled in Jira, the school for the blind in Devnar, the school for the blind in Begumpet and the Niloufer Hospital in Nampally. Volunteers spent the day packing and serving food.
Children are only six years old, and adults prepare meal bags. Fresh Pulao is prepared by women trained by the Aga Khan Social Welfare Council program, while the snacks are provided by the United Bakers Cooperative.
Amin Ladha, chairman of the Ismaili committee in southern India, described the initiative as an opportunity for the community to serve those in need during Ramadan. He said women who were once the aid takers are now managing their business in the local community kitchen and cooking for a thousand people. Today, they are using their time and talents to support others.
Last year, Ismaili citizen volunteers across India collected 3,000 pints of blood, cleared 250 kilograms of waste, and planted 400 trees.
A medical examination camp in Kompally provides tests and medications to about 550 construction workers.
Iqbal Mandani, chairman of the Ismaili Secunderabad committee, said that this effort will continue because of the belief that community services have lasting impact.
