Family & Wellbeing
Changing lives in Congo, one smile at a time
Sixteen-month-old Jimla Kasenga and 61-year-old Mukadi Kabengele both have a reason to smile. Each of them underwent facial reconstructive surgery at Operation Smile’s recent medical mission to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The week-long mission was broadly supported by members of the local Ismaili community.
Far East Jamat gathers in Penang for a day of sport, learning and fun
In June, Ismailis from Bangkok, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur joined the Jamat in Penang, Malaysia for a sports day event that coincided with Father’s Day. Numerous activities were organised, but badminton and table tennis were the centrepiece competitions.
Disaster preparedness weeks raise awareness with practical tips and advice
To better equip the community to deal with emergencies, Focus Humanitarian Assistance has been running “Disaster Preparedness Weeks” in partnership with National Ismaili Councils around the world. During the week, practical tips and resources are shared with families to raise awareness of the regional risks and how to prepare for them.
Preparing for the unexpected — A family takes lessons from a house fire
Confronted with a fire in their apartment complex in the middle of the night, a family’s quick thinking and presence of mind saved precious lives. The incident also illustrates the value of disaster preparedness.
FOCUS prepares disaster management teams in North America for the inevitable
Earlier this year, Focus Humanitarian Assistance in North America conducted disaster management and leadership training in Houston and Toronto, for their Regional Disaster Management Teams. As a key component of the Disaster Management Programme, the training prepared community stakeholders to effectively respond to natural and man-made disasters.
When it’s sunny, top up your vitamin D
When you expose your skin to the sun, your body makes vitamin D from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Most people will make enough of this “sunshine vitamin”, but certain groups of people may not be getting enough from the sun or their diet — and this includes people with dark skin.
Update from Focus Humanitarian Assistance
17 May 2010 — An update from Focus Humanitarian Assistance on FOCUS’ collaboration with Jamati institutions and national agencies in response to the devastating landslide that occurred in the Attabad village of Hunza Valley in Pakistan on 4 January 2010.
Pamirs provide an enchanting backdrop to learn about the Jamat in Tajikistan
Recalling her visit to Tajikistan last summer, Janet Southern shares her experience of being immersed in Pamiri culture, as she lived and worked in Khorog for two months. Embraced by the warm hospitality of her hosts, she observes how community tradition is contributing to self-sustained economic development.
Healthy eating, West African style
The continent of Africa is steeped in tribal and ethnic diversity. Its geographic regions in the west, east, north and south vary in language, religion and even cuisine. If you enjoy West African cooking, here are some tips to help you prepare nutritious traditional foods for your family.
Uganda Jamat delivers aid and volunteers to disaster-affected Bududa
When the fertile farming district of Bududa was devastated by mud-slides that swept away hundreds of lives, the Ismaili community of Uganda were quick to mobilise assistance. Within a week, donations of food, medical supplies, clothing, and sanitary supplies — together with volunteers — quickly made their way to Bulucheke Camp.
Books, bonding, and new beginnings
It is a little past three in the morning on a foggy, Seattle Sunday, but a group of women are already armed and ready with a carpool list, tea, and that month’s novel tucked under their arms. Since February 2009, the book club’s members meet every first Sunday of the month to discuss books as varied and diverse as the women in their group.
Displaced people of Hunza struggle to move on
Life in the Hunza valley was changed forever when a landslide buried the entire village of Attabad in the Northern Pakistan territory of Gilgit-Baltistan earlier this year. Despite extensive relief efforts, the future remains uncertain as a lake resulting from the landslide swallows villages and threatens the lives of thousands downstream.
UK Jamat comes together for NSF 2010 — a weekend of Non Stop Fun!
The National Sports Festival — a flagship event of the Ismaili Muslim community in the United Kingdom — renewed itself during the weekend of 2–5 April 2010 at Loughborough University. With over 1 000 participants playing 11 sports and competing in 37 categories, NSF 2010 was the biggest edition in the biennial sports festival’s 26-year history.
FOCUS strengthens institutional relations at a humanitarian logistics conference in Georgia
As the world continues to face challenges that lead to man-made or natural disasters, the improvement of humanitarian logistics and ultimately the human condition is critical. At a recent conference in Georgia, FOCUS shared its expertise on disaster response, recovery and mitigation.
In Lisbon, Kabul and around the world, Ismailis gather for International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day is celebrated by individuals, organisations and governments every year. This year a special recognition event was held for women at the Ismaili Centre, Lisbon, while the Ismaili Council for Afghanistan hosted an event in Kabul that drew some 900 participants.
Jamati reading programmes promote critical thinking in children
Across the United States and Canada, year-round programmes in various Jamatkhanas encourage critical thinking and nurture a love of reading among children. In celebration of Reading Month, TheIsmaili.org is also pleased to highlight a number of web-based tools and resources to help parents enhance their children’s literacy.
Cultivating a love of reading in young children
Children enter the world eager to learn, and research shows that when parents read daily to their children — especially in the first five years of their life — it promotes language acquisition, literacy development, and academic success at school. In celebration of Reading Month, TheIsmaili.org explores the experiences of many Ismaili families who read to their children.
The magic of reading: A mother’s account
Novelist Shaila Abdullah tells how just as her parents cultivated a love of books in her from a young age, she in turn shared this love with her daughter, Aanyah, from the moment she was born. Today, at six-years-old, Aanyah is the one reading to her mother!
International Women’s Day brings women from around the world to the Ismaili Centre, London
Women from diverse backgrounds came together to celebrate, identify their strengths and hear about inspirational women. The event was organised by the Women’s Activities Portfolio of the Ismaili Council for the United Kingdom, and was the third consecutive time that the Ismaili community marked the occasion in the UK.
Trial without sight: How one woman’s triumph against the odds allowed her to give back to society
Imagine swimming 750 metres, then biking 20 kilometres, and finally running 5 kilometres in a span of a few hours. Sounds like an intense physical challenge? How about taking this on without your sense of sight? Rozina Issani shares her inspiring personal story.
Fatal landslide in Hunza Valley threatens to flood villages
A massive landslide in the Hunza Valley damaged and buried three villages in the northern Pakistan territory of Gilgit-Baltistan, killing at least 19 people and rendering over 250 families homeless. Residents were quickly evacuated, but the aftermath of the landslide is also threatening populations outside of the immediately affected area.
Eating for health: A new year — a new you!
The year often starts with great intentions — perhaps you will join a gym, cut out fried foods, or decide to give up fast food — but will they stick? One of the best ways to keep your new year’s resolutions is to make sure they are realistic in the first place.
FOCUS recognised for its disaster response and relief efforts in the wake of hurricanes
The South Asian Chamber of Commerce of Houston, Texas recently honoured Focus Humanitarian Assistance for their disaster response and relief efforts in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina, Gustav, Rita and Ike that affected the Southern United States. Chief Guest and CNN business anchor Ali Velshi presented the award.
Make the whole grain a part of your healthy lifestyle
Buying a loaf of bread, a breakfast cereal, or pasta used to be straightforward. But today, a wide assortment of grain-based products comes with a push to choose healthier whole grain varieties. Just what is whole grain, and what makes it healthy?
Doctor prescribes tips for National Family Caregiver’s Month
In the United States, November is National Family Caregivers Month in recognition of those who care for aging parents and other family members who are unable to take care of themselves. Geriatric Psychiatrist Dr Sultan Ali Lakhani supports family caregivers with education and counselling, and offers some tips for caregivers.
Develop healthy habits to manage your diabetes
World Diabetes Day is observed every year on 14 November to raise awareness of diabetes. While there is currently no cure for it, those who are affected can still live a full life by carefully managing their condition.
Ageing gracefully: Caring for elders with dignity
Statistics show that although longevity today can extend well beyond the life expectancies of the past, quality of life is increasingly compromised with age, posing challenges for the elderly, their children and the community as a whole. But mindful of our obligations to our parents and grandparents, the Jamat is finding new ways to care for seniors with affection and compassion.
Mombasa group offers support to families of children with medical needs
When Tanuja Walli’s son was diagnosed and treated for a heart defect, she realised how many other families in Mombasa did not have the resources to provide their children with the health care that they required. She and a circle of concerned friends devised a plan to support families in crisis, both emotionally and financially.
Take steps to prevent the spread of H1N1 and the seasonal flu, urge FOCUS and the Aga Khan Health Boards
The 2009 flu pandemic is a global outbreak of a new strain of influenza A virus subtype H1N1, which is associated with severe symptoms and may contribute to an increasingly difficult and worrying flu season. FOCUS and the Aga Khan Health Boards for Canada the UK and the USA, recommend three steps that can help prevent the spread of influenza.
A summer adventure: FOCUS Hike4Life in Kyrgyzstan
Alim Nagji, writes about his experience during the FOCUS Hike4Life held this summer in Kyrgyzstan. Some 40 participants undertook a 100 kilometre journey through the Tian Shan mountains surrounding Lake Issyk-Kul, the second largest mountain lake in the world.
Mawlana Hazar Imam opens “a park for all seasons” in the Khorog city centre
A newly revitalised Khorog City Park was inaugurated on 10 October 2009 by First Deputy Prime Minister Asadullo Gulomov of the Republic of Tajikistan, in the presence of Mawlana Hazar Imam. The Park is a significant new green space that will serve the residents of the capital of the Gorno-Badakhshan autonomous region in Tajikistan.
A beacon of hope from the summit of Afghanistan’s highest mountain
Four young Afghan Ismaili mountaineers from Wakhan wanted to offer a message of peace and hope to their countrymen. Together with a team of Frenchmen, they set out to climb Noshaq — the country’s highest mountain.
Dar es Salaam plays host to the 2009 Unity Games
In April, the 2009 Unity Games held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania drew Jamati members from all over the country, as well as Kenya, Uganda and even Canada to compete in the spirit of brotherhood. Athletes were joined by spectators who also came to celebrate an enjoyable experience for all.
Eat less salt
Eating too much salt can raise your blood pressure. And if you already have high blood pressure, you are three times more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke than a person with normal blood pressure.
Fasting and diabetes
Those suffering from type 2 diabetes may be worried about observing the fast during the Muslim month of Ramadan. However, it is possible to fast safely if you are careful about managing your diabetes.
Nutrition labels demystified
Labels on the foods that we purchase today include measurements of calories, total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, sodium, and fibre, among other nutrients. But what do the numbers actually mean?
Born special: A family’s journey of acceptance and hope
There is no easy access to Zain Ali’s mind — at the age of two he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. But his parents decided they would leave no stone unturned in exploring the various programs, therapies and interventions that exist for children like him.
Volunteer search and rescue team is the highlight of FOCUS event
In May, Focus Humanitarian Assistance celebrated its 15th anniversary with An Evening with Focus, held at the Ismaili Centre, London. The event created awareness of the integral role that FOCUS and its volunteers play in communities around the world.
What should your plate look like?
Eating well is as much about the different balance of foods on your plate as it is about the individual foods. Dishes like curry, dhal, roti and rice can be healthy, but if the portion of dhal is tiny and the meat curry is smothering the rice you’ve probably got the balance wrong.
Eat for your age
Have you noticed how your interests and priorities change as time goes on? It is the same with nutrition. Whether you’re 25 or 85-years old, it is important to eat well, but your nutritional needs change according to your life-stage.
FOCUS: Global pandemic preparedness guide
Updated 30 April 2009 13:27 GMT — Focus Humanitarian Assistance, an AKDN affiliate, has issued a preparedness guide for a pandemic outbreak of swine flu. The guide answers basic questions and includes several useful links to the websites of international and national health institutions.
Talking the talk early in life
Research shows that young children are not just capable of learning several languages — they are hard-wired to do so. And being multilingual has cognitive and intellectual benefits that extend beyond the basic advantage of knowing another language.
Cycling the open road: FOCUS Bike4Life 2008
Sixty-nine people participated in the 2008 FOCUS Challenge event, cycling some 550 kilometres from Mumbai to Goa along the Konkan Coast. This photo essay documents their journey.
Optometrist provides eye health services to people in need
According to the WHO, more than 90 per cent of visually impaired people live in developing countries. One Ismaili doctor is making eye health services accessible to some of them and improving the quality of their lives.
Donation of 100 wheelchairs to benefit the infirm in Singapore
The Ismaili Council for Malaysia and Singapore recently donated 100 wheelchairs that will benefit several social welfare groups as well as twin sisters suffering from cerebral palsy. The wheelchairs were presented during a ceremony attended by Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Zainul Abidin Rasheed.
Civic participation and institutional expertise assist villages in Tajikistan to prepare for natural disaster
Thousands of families living in Tajikistan experience earthquakes and other hazards throughout the year that impact their lives and livelihoods. Focus Humanitarian Assistance strives to reduce the impact of natural disasters through community-based initiatives.
Texas Jamat comes together in the face of a massive storm
On 13 September, Hurricane Ike surged through Houston with destructive force. The Ismaili Council and Focus Humanitarian Assistance established a Crisis Response Team to ensure the safety of the Jamat, while also assisting relief efforts in the wider Houston community.
World Cup boccia champion determined to represent his country at the Paralympics
Hopeful of being able to compete in London in 2012 after he narrowly missed out on a place at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing, Boccia World Cup gold medallist Ali Lalani discussed his sport, his inspirations, and his future aspirations with Zahid Lalani.
Giving the gift of sight through service
Service is a cornerstone of the social conscience that Islam espouses. Alqaim Giga and Sehar Lalani have applied their passion for service to the improvement of eyesight and eye health among peoples living in different parts of the world.
UAE Jamat volunteers in event to raise funds for cancer research
Every year since Dubai held its first Terry Fox Run in 1999, the Jamat in United Arab Emirates has helped with the event’s organisation. The 2008 run set a new benchmark for attendance and fundraising, making a significant contribution to cancer research and raising awareness about the disease.
Programme in France helps families to develop financial forward-thinking
Good financial planning can help a family prepare for financial and economic changes. The Aga Khan Economic Planning Board for France recently launched a special programme specifically geared to families that promotes financial independence and well-being.
Volunteers key to Canadian initiative to combat HIV-AIDS in Uganda
Access to antiretroviral drugs has restored the quality of life of millions of HIV-positive people, but the cost of this medicine is prohibitive to populations in some areas of the developing world. Arif Alibhai and his colleagues from the University of Alberta have been working with volunteers in rural Uganda to change this.
Athletes from around the world arrive to a warm Kenyan welcome
Hundreds of Golden Jubilee Games athletes were greeted upon their arrival at the Games Village on the premises of the Parklands complex in Nairobi. Most had travelled long distances, and for many the journey was their first to Africa.
Road to the Games: UK athletes receive send-off ahead of the Golden Jubilee Games
Ismaili athletes from the United Kingdom and other European countries were fêted at a send-off ahead of the Golden Jubilee Games. The dinner event, hosted by the Jamati leadership, provided the players with encouragement and inspiration to prepare them for their journey.
Road to the Games: USA and Australia prepare to send their best to Nairobi
In the run-up to the Golden Jubilee Games, Ismaili athletes from the United States, Australia and New Zealand came together as a single team. Overcoming vast distances, they built bonds, strengthened their skills and prepared themselves for Nairobi.
Road to the Games: The united colours of the France Jamat
The Golden Jubilee Games in Kenya will provide a platform for Jamati athletes from France, Belgium, Switzerland and Ivory Coast to demonstrate their athletic talent and enthusiasm on a global stage. Seventeen athletes from the French jurisdiction will travel to Nairobi.
Road to the Games: From Vancouver to Nairobi (part three)
Forced to the sidelines by an ill-timed injury, Aalia Chatur cheered-on her British Columbia Women's Basketball team at the Canadian Ismaili Games in May 2008. In her final instalment on the Canadian journey to the Golden Jubilee Games, she wraps-up with her reflections.
Road to the Games: Tajikistan Jamat’s volleyball team has a storied past
The Ismaili women’s volleyball team from Tajikistan is composed of members of the the Badakhshan regional team, recent winners of Tajikistan's 2008 National Volleyball championship. Players describe the history of their team and their aspirations for the Golden Jubilee Games in Nairobi.
Running a marathon with a global impact
In April 2008, Zahira Virani ran the Flora London Marathon, pushing her limits while raising funds for development initiatives of the Aga Khan Foundation. Shaneen Makhani spoke with her to learn what motivated her, and how she managed to juggle her training with her family and work commitments.
Road to the Games: From Vancouver to Nairobi (part two)
Avid Ismaili athlete, Aalia Chatur, participated in the Canadian Ismaili Games in May 2008. In this second of three instalments, she continues her chronicle of the Canadian journey to the Golden Jubilee Games.
Road to the Games: Pakistan’s josh trials at AKU draw wide participation
The Pakistan Jamat participated in the josh trials for the Golden Jubilee Games at the Aga Khan University Sports and Rehabilitation Centre in Karachi, drawing more than 2 200 athletes from across the country.
Road to the Games: From Vancouver to Nairobi (part one)
Aalia Chatur participated in the Canadian Ismaili Games in May 2008. She chronicles the Canadian journey to the Golden Jubilee Games in three instalments, the first of which is presented here.
Road to the Games: Saurashtra galli players impress in cricket final
Athletes from across India revelled at the opportunity to showcase their talent in qualification rounds leading to the Golden Jubilee Games. Strong cricket teams from Saurashtra, Gujarat performed well against their urban competitors, and the Indian team will include nationally recognised athletes in table tennis and swimming.
Road to the Games: Athletes from USA, Australia and New Zealand train for the Games
Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania, was the site of a weekend camp for athletes who will be competing in the Golden Jubilee Games at the end of June. The excitement was palpable as the players came together for the first time as Team USA / ANZ.
Road to the Games: Afghan Jamat holds first tournament at the Kabul Olympic Stadium
Selections for the Golden Jubilee Games in Afghanistan began in the Autumn of 2007. Qualification rounds in various sports took place in the provinces of Badakhshan, Baghlan, Bamyan and Kabul, and an excited national Jamati team is now preparing to join their brothers and sisters in Nairobi, Kenya.
Rebuilding in post-tsunami Aceh
Naik Alam has been working in the tsunami-affected region of Aceh, Indonesia since 2005, as part of an effort to rebuild the devastated province. He has applied his knowledge of sanitation to improve access to fresh water in some of the worst-affected communities in the region.
A buzz in the air at NSF 2008
The 2008 National Sports Festival at Keele University saw nearly 900 participants from six different countries compete in 23 sporting categories. In addition to competitive sports, there was entertainment and activities for all.
Getting in shape in the UAE
There is a growing realisation that obesity is becoming a health issue around the world. Naeema Nizari who lives in Dubai shares her thoughts on gaining and losing those extra pounds.
Sports Festivals encourage individuals with special needs
Six Sports Festivals are being held across Pakistan to give members of the Jamat with special needs, an opportunity to take part in the Golden Jubilee year celebrations while promoting awareness and support for them and their families.
AKDN hosts exhibition in Tajikistan
Over 5 000 people viewed informative exhibits, listened to traditional Tajik music, and examined locally-developed products as part of a two-day exhibition on the work of the Aga Khan Development Network in Tajikistan.
Hike4Life takes on Kilimanjaro
Forty-three participants of Hike4Life from Canada, France, UK and the USA took on the challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. The six-day climb commenced 26 December 2007.
Charting a family's journey
Afroza and Alykhan Nanji, a dentist and doctor respectively, are raising their two children in Calgary, Canada. Like many couples with young families, they have struggled with the definition of success as they juggle commitments to their faith, family, careers and community.
Laughter club
The old adage that "laughter is the best form of medicine" is behind the growing popularity of Laughter clubs. Zareena Bana, the chairperson and founder of Joo Chiat-East Coast Laughter Club, has been noted in the Singapore Book of Records for conducting the largest laughter session which was attended by approximately 20 000 people.
Early detection of breast cancer
Shebina Amlani, a Health Education Consultant from Toronto, now living in Kuwait writes about breast cancer and how “early detection” can help assuage the effects of this devastating disease in women. Amlani’s experience in this field includes being a Health Promotion Consultant with the Ontario Breast Screening Program (Ontario Cancer Institute and Princess Margaret Hospital) in Toronto, as well as a regular contributor to publications relating family and women’s health.
Growing stronger, living longer
Seniors are living longer, are more educated and have witnessed more global changes than their predecessors. Today’s elders are therefore becoming the backbone of our society as well as role models for younger generations.
Rethinking savings strategies
The transformation of demographic trends in the European Union have led to a reshaping of the economic environment as well. In light of these changes, members of the European Jamat need to re-evaluate their savings strategies and career choices in order to ensure financial security.
Assisting with the HIV/AIDS battle in South Africa
Globally, AIDS has killed more than 25 million people since it was first recognised in 1981. A group of Ismailis is working hard in South Africa to help address various aspects of HIV/AIDS. We profile their efforts in this article.
Training the leaders of tomorrow
Young people today require as much support as we can provide in their overall development. Outdoor leadership programmes can provide a continuous progression and a firm foundation from which to grow. Rizwan Virji writes about the initiatives organised for young members of the Jamat in Kenya with a view to enhancing their leadership development.
Life in the fast lane
The air was acrid and the noise deafening as state-of-the-art race cars zoomed around the track only coming in for a pit stop to pick up a fresh set of tires and more fuel. For a small group of Malaysian youth this outing exposed them to a very different career and allowed them to meet an Ismaili celebrity in their midst - Nur Ali, the dashing young racing phenom.
Nanga Parbat - Hike to raise awareness of thalassemia
The United Arab Emirates Thalassemia Society and Pakistani Thalassemia Society joined hands to increase awareness of thalassemia. Last year, the awareness effort was undertaken by a trek to Nanga Parbat in the Himalayas. The Aga Khan Scouts and Guides of United Arab Emirates participated and raised funds for this awareness campaign.
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