Zain Bhikha tour in aid of East Africa famine appeal
Internationally acclaimed nasheed artist Zain Bhikha has teamed up with Islamic Relief yet again, to host fundraising shows in aid of the East Africa Famine Appeal.
The South African tour will include a performance at the Hartley Road Fair in Overport, Durban, on Monday 1 May 2017 (2pm). Cape Town will host a High Tea at the Kelvin Grove in Newlands, on Sunday 7 May 2017 (2pm). The final event will be held in Johannesburg on Sunday 14 May 2017 (2pm) at the Palm Continental Hotel in Crown Mines, with MC Joey Rasdien to complement the programme.
EAST AFRICA: 20 million people require emergency assistance
The Horn of Africa is in the grip of a severe drought. Two successive years of below-average rainfall (caused by one of the worst El Niños in history) have left some parts of Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya facing their worst drought in decades.
South Sudan, meanwhile, is in the grip of conflict, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee across the border to Sudan and sending inflation soaring so that food is now unaffordable for many and, in one state, famine has been declared. The forecast offers no relief, with warnings that conditions could get worse through 2017.
How Islamic Relief is helping
Our local teams are leading livelihood and food security projects, such as: giving training and advice to smallholder farmers, providing climate-resilient livestock and supporting community microfinance.
– In Somalia we are drilling 15 new wells to supply year-round clean water to more than 100,000 people and a £1m recovery programme will plough farmland and supply farming tools, seeds and goats to 3,000 households, as well as bringing 10 underground tanks to capture rainfall back into use.
– In Ethiopia, we are appealing for a £2.2m livestock restocking programme to supply almost 6,000 families with 10 goats each.
– In Kenya we are working in the north-eastern counties to roll out new food and water programmes.
– In South Sudan we are distributing food, water and other crucial items in two camps near Juba to people who have been forced to leave their homes.
– In Sudan we are focusing our efforts on refugees and returnees, the most vulnerable group of people.
Tickets for the Cape Town and Johannesburg shows are available from Islamic Relief offices. Call us on 0800 111 898.
* Since 1994, Zain Bhikha has inspired fans the world over with his messages of hope and upliftment. As a singer, songwriter and through creative workshops and television, Zain is amongst the most popular English Islamic artists, well-loved by young and old. www.zainbhikha.com
** Islamic Relief began working in South Africa in 2003. The head office is situated in Cape Town. The local fundraising office raises funds for our work worldwide, and also runs projects such as orphan sponsorship and seasonal Ramadan and Qurbani programmes. We work south of Johannesburg, in Vlakfontein, and in the informal settlements around Ennerdale, in Mountain View, Fine town, and Kapok and Hopefield. www.islamic-relief.org.za
