an expat's wife (in khartoum no more...): Inqaz : Part 1

Monday, 14 September 2009

Inqaz : Part 1

On the 18th of August, I went along with a group of Petronita ladies to Inqaz, a madrasah where kids and also adults learn to hafaz the al-quran. Petronita's welfare bereau had identified Inqaz as one of those places that we should help. It started last year under Sh. Najwa's supervision and now Kak Aishah continues.

Calling inqaz a madrasah may bring you to imagine a proper madrasah that we could find in Malaysia. Even for me who has heard about it before were a bit taken aback when I personally stepped into the compound. It's actually just a tent (a 'bangsal' is more appropriate) in a compound of a masjid.

Some of the kids here stay outside and some very unfortunate ones are staying there 24/7. Some are left by their parents as early as aged 2 to become tahfiz, maybe it's one of the ways for them to get out of the poverty cycle...wallahualam. Some would reunite with their parents but sadly for some that would be the end of their relationship with their parents. I was saddened to see many square boxes being stacked in a room. Each box belongs to a students and it consists of all their worldly possessions. Can you imagine having everything you got in one tiny box? What would you put in that box?

Those boxes contain their pride and joy...

I observed a water well for them to use daily. This would be water for them to wash, drink, cook etc. I could also see a brand new toilets donated and built by PDOC as part of their corporate obligations. There's also a tiny kitchen (actually just a corner of a room). There's a private section for older ladies to hafaz the quran and a small classroom for older girls which would also be used for the girls to sleep in. That's all. The smaller kids have to learn under a 'bangsal' without even a mat to sit on.