Havan’s Wish for Peace
Chechnya has been scarred by a bitter conflict that claimed over 100,000 lives. Thousands of homes, schools, hospitals and other infrastructure were also left in ruin.
Grozny was the scene of much fighting and huge areas were destroyed, leaving people with very little to pick their lives up with.
“War brought a lot of destruction to my family,” says 55-year-old housewife, Havan, “Our house was completely destroyed.We lost a lot of family and friends in the bombardments.”Unemployment
Finding work is a challenge for many Chechens. Havan’s husband is unemployed and she spends her time doing housework and taking care of their cow.
“The most unsolvable problem in our life is our lack of money, and the shortage of work to be able to earn any.
“War deprived us of everything good that we had managed to achieve in our life – our job, home and opportunity to study in a healthy environment. We just hope for better.
“I dream that the beautiful land of Chechnya and its people will recover from the tragedy we went through, and that we will live a happy life soon insh’Allah. I wish peace for people all over the world.”
Ramadhan
“There is no need to say how important it is for Muslims all over the world to receive gifts and warm words on Eid,” says Havan, “And for us, it is a true holiday that gives me and other poor people a chance to feel the support from our brothers and sisters.
“For me, it is not just that I receive a food parcel, but it is also the inspiration that comes with it from Islamic Relief. I thank those people who never forget about us here.”
In 2006, Islamic Relief (IR) distributed Ramadhan food parcels to 22 villages in Grozny. IR also gave out food parcels in Temporary Accommodation Centres (TACs), which provide shelter for people whose houses were destroyed in conflict.
IR’s projects in Chechnya include education, livelihoods and orphans support.
