Updated 18 August 2008

In answer to the plight of children in Indian slums, the Shia Ithna Asheri Madressa (SIM) of Stanmore, London launched the 'M-egg a Difference' drive in June, 2008.

In order to instil the importance of charity and giving in the hearts and minds of the youth, SIM Cares challenged Madressa students to fill Cadbury's Mini Eggs tubes with £1 coins (after they had eaten the chocolates!!)

The funds raised would enable the Zainabiya Child Sponsorship Scheme (ZCSS) to support a school in Gopalpur, Uttar Pradesh in India providing free education for children from deprived families. The school is currently under construction and inshallah once completed, the children will be able to enjoy the new facilities, moving away from the old dilapidated building.

 




The current school in Gopalpur, with its run down building and furniture








Donning their creative caps, the children came up with innovative and inspiring ways to raise money. Some offered to recite various surahs for the thawab of marhumeen (for a fee, of course!), while others got involved in sponsored bike rides, cake sales, car washes and penalty shoot-outs.

At the end of four fun-filled weeks, over £3,000 was collected - a fantastic achievement!

SIM would like to thank all the parents for their encouragement and support, helping them to really 'M-egg a Difference!' to other young Muslims crying out for help thousands of miles away.

The Zainabiya Child Sponsorship Scheme would like to thank the Shia Ithna Asheri Madressa for their creative method of raising funds as well as awareness of the needs of poor children whose education is being taken care of by ZCSS.

Click here to learn more about the Zainabiya Child Sponsorship Scheme (ZCSS).

Click here to donate towards this scheme.

For further information on ZCSS, email zcss@world-federation.org