This campaign was inspired by our founder's own experience taking our children shopping for shoes when she went to Pakistan in 2008 for the inauguration of our home in Rawalpindi. Dian is now planning a trip to visit our children in Indonesia and Pakistan and wants to repeat the same blissful experience of seeing big smiles on the faces of the children. Imagine, as an orphan, only having hand-me-downs throughout your life, and now someone is taking you to a store to let you choose your own pair of shoes!
Given the expensive cost of shipping and the challenge of dealing with customs, it is best not to ship the shoes from the US. Not to mention, most brands such as Adidas, Nike, etc. are manufactured in Asia. So it makes perfect sense to buy them locally and have the kids be part of the whole experience.
We suggest a minimum donation of $20/pair. However you can donate any amount.
If you are part of a school, a University, a mosque, a church or any group and would like to help with this project, you can download a poster here and put them up for us. It's an easy way to contribute towards raising awareness and excitement for this project.
We thank SoulToSole.org for allowing us to use their name for this campaign.
And thanks to our generous donors who have donated over 200 shoes already!
Excitedly,
The GL Family
Nursamawi - Oldest Orphan Graduates from College Nur Shares her Years at the Give Light Home
Translated by Rani Aviananda, GL Volunteer
NurSamawi moved from another orphanage to Givelight Home in 2005. She was attached to Dian's uncle, Syamsuddin who took care of her at an orphanage that he managed prior to retiring. Syamsuddin is the man who donated the land to build our very first orphanage. Every single child living in the Aceh home loves him dearly as he dedicates his life to them along with his wife.
2005
I wanted to live in the Givelight - Noordeen house because of several reasons; one of them is Father Syamsudin, who took care of all of us. I look up to him, as a father, a substitute of my own father who is no longer with me. I feel safe with him there, in the house, which I shared with others. As children, we looked out for each other like brothers and sisters. We love each other, we learn, eat, and pray together. The orphanage with its library, computer lab and language lessons of Arabic and English have helped me study and do well in school. Also the beautiful surroundings and serene landscape of the lake near our place, all add to the reasons that made me feel comfortable and happy at the Give Light House.
2006
Since my first year in high school, I was always excelling in science and math. Alhamdulilah (all praise to God), all my grades were always consistently high, above average. In my last year of high school, I took an exam, conducted on all high school students by the regional Central Aceh Government Office of Education searching for students with the highest grade marks. Those who excelled at the highest marks would receive a Special Education Package to be conducted in addition to the regular schooling schedule. Out of 1083 student, I was one of 40 students who were eligible to receive it. Moreover, I was one of the top 10 students in the test. The opportunity made me eligible for extra academics and curricular activities conducted for a whole year before graduation.
2007
In my last year of high school, all students had to take an exit exam, to graduate. I got the second highest rank out of all students, Alhamdulillah (all praise to God). I applied to many universities in Sumatra; each and every one of them accepted my application, however, each acceptation did not include a scholarship. As a last resort I applied to one university in Jakarta, called Syariah Economic and Banking Institute, SEBI. They offered 100% scholarship to whoever passed the test. Alhamdulillah (all praise to God), I was accepted and was awareded the full scholarship. Givelight donations helped support my daily expenses, while studying. I am grateful for Dian, our mother.
2007-2011
In the university, I had to do a lot of adjusting in learning and studying. Most of my classmates were more familiar with the subjects in economics. I pushed myself and worked really hard; in my mind I tell myself that if they can do it, I should be able to do it also. As a result, my GPA went up from semester to semester. mother Dian supported me and always prayed for me, I’m ever grateful for her. In only 3.5 years I finished my study, and the graduation ceremony was on December 18th, 2011, Alhamdulillah (all praise to God).
Never in my mind did I think that I would be able to finished my bachelor’s education and proudly wear my graduation suit and cap. It all feels like a dream to me, I feel so elated, the happiest person on the face of this earth. I don’t know how to begin to thank mother Dian, words escape me. With all my heart, all I can do is be grateful to all the blessings and mercy God gives me. My eyes are wet with tears of thankfulness. I pray that our Lord will reward all the kindness, compassion, and love that have been shown to me with the best reward. I prayed for all the generous hearts at Givelight, all the donors, mother Dian, to be granted jannatul firdaus, the highest paradise.
I too, aspire to be a generous donor for Givelight in the future, InshaAllah (God willing). I’m also forever indebted to Jaddu Ahsan, Syed, Kake, and big brother Ira for all their kindness, support, and prayers. For father Syamsudin, I cannot repay your kindness and love, you take care of me as if I’m your own child, and only God will return the compassion and reward you with all the best.
Finally for all my brothers and sisters at the orphanage, keep your spirit up, work hard, and have faith, that you too, will succeed one day. InshaAllah (God willing), you will become successful in this life and in the hereafter, Amen. We all will keep praying for mother Dian, and all Givelight kind and generous donors.
Wasalam (With peace)
-Nursamawi.
Five years of giving, watch our journey so far
A visit to Takengon, Aceh
Operation by Geography
:
Indonesia
a. Orphanage in Takengon - in operation since Dec. 2005.
b. Sponsoring 100 orphans in Banda Aceh.
Pakistan
a. Orphanage in Rawalpindi - opened on Nov. 2, 2008.
b. Sponsoring 130 orphans in earthquake affected areas.
Somalia
Sponsoring 100 orphans since Nov. 2010.
Iraq
Sponsoring 50 orphans since Nov. 2010.
SF Bay Area
Sponsoring 10 orphans since Oct. 2010.
Haiti
Sponsoring 60 orphans since Mar. 2010.
Bangladesh
Building 10 bathrooms for 300 orphans and Sponsoring an extra meal per day at Darus Sunat
Outreach Director for the Santa Clara-based Muslim Community Association (MCA), Dian Alyan lost family and friends in the devastating December 2004 Asian tsunami.
This campaign was inspired by our founder's own experience taking our children shopping for shoes when she went to Pakistan in 2008 for the inauguration of our home in Rawalpindi. Dian is now planning a trip to visit our children in Indonesia and Pakistan and wants to repeat the same blissful experience of seeing big smiles on the faces of the children. Imagine, as an orphan, only having hand-me-downs throughout your life, and now someone is taking you to a store to let you choose your own pair of shoes!
