The students of the Al Azhar primary school have taken it upon themselves to assist the men, women and children affected by Israel’s brutal campaign in Gaza, by personally raising funds towards VOC’s own Gaza Water Project. Through a massive fundraising campaign at the school over the past two weeks, they have managed to raise R11 500 towards the initiative.

The VOC Water Project was launched three years ago in conjunction with the Al Quds Foundation and Muslim Judicial Council (MJC), with the aim of restoring and constructing water wells in Gaza. Upon the campaigns launch, VOC and its listeners managed to raise a massive R350 000, which was taken to the embattled strip through the Africa 1 Convoy. This time around, VOC has set the goal of raising R700 000 towards the campaign.

According to the schools head girl, Ghadah Smith, the students were greatly saddened by the recent attacks on the people of Gaza, particularly sympathizing with the children in the region. She said the conflict had motivated them to host a cake and hotdog sale.

“The entire reason we are doing this is to show our support and solidarity with the people of Gaza, and to show them that we care. An injury to them is an injury to us,” she said.

Smith gave thanks to all the students and parents who supported the cause, as well as those who supplied the cakes for the sale.

She also called on other primary schools to conduct similar programmes, and raise as much funds as possible to contribute towards the water project.

Sheikh Muhammad Amin Jardien, the school’s officer administrator, said the fundraiser had been preceded by a picket by the school’s students, which was particularly well received.

“We asked the very same people that supported us during that time, to also contribute towards this worthy cause,” he said.

He was hopeful that with the cooperation of other schools, and the local Muslim community, VOC’s original goal of R700 000 could be quadrupled.

VOC programme manager, Mishka Daries, was humbled by the efforts of Al Azhar primary. She said the Al Azhar students were a prime example of future generations “taking the bull by the horns” and trying to make a difference.

“You might think this contribution towards the R700 000 we’d love to raise is a little, but it is really not,” she said.

Anyone looking to make a contribution towards the Water Project can do so via the following bank account:

FNB

Name: Muslim Broadcasting Corporation

Acc #: 5026 1166 860

Branch: Woodstock – 250 655

Cheque Account

Ref: Water project