What is Project Sadaqa?

MSA Lone Star has launched Project Sadaqa: a collaborative effort from all MSAs to give back. This initiative started in 2013 when MSAs from across Texas came together at the state capital to volunteer. The goal for Project Sadaqa is to build relations with our community by volunteering our time to help those in need. This year, MSA members will raise funds with their respective school in an effort raise as much as possible throughout the school year. At the end of the given time frame the funds will be collected from all the schools by LSC and donated to sponsor refugee children through Amaanah Refugee Services.

Who is Amaanah Refugee Services?

With a desire to give back running in their blood, a small group of the University of Houston students came together in 2006 to work on a community service project. What they discovered was the spark that ignited their growing passion to serving resettled refugees. Uncovering the large scale of unmet needs of thousands of resettled refugees in their own city, they began to collect food, clothing, furniture and even funds for distribution. They quickly realized that fulfilling only short-term and immediate needs was not enough to fully support the many newcomers to the city.

Fueled by a drive to revolutionize the industry, in 2008 Amaanah Refugee Services was officially established. As the heart and soul of this organization, Amaanah’s team has grown exponentially to meet the ever-growing needs of resettled refugees. Through our focused programs and events, in 2016 we touched the lives of more than 10,000 resettled refugees in Texas.

What are we funding?

The Awesome Academy serves students who have arrived in the United States through the refugee resettlement process. Our program is welcomed by school districts in Houston and Austin, where we work with a variety of campuses both in and after school. The intent of the program is to support children both socially and academically so that they can progress quickly, transition smoothly, and become confident community leaders. In the process, we also support teachers and staff by providing supplemental instruction and individualized student attention.

Field trips, sports tournaments, and STEM projects are just some of the activities students participate in when joining the Awesome Academy. In addition, our instructors cultivate English and literacy skills through homework help and integrated language learning. We know that children are the future. By building curious, self-assured learners, we are providing the platform for our students to soar.

"Those who spend their wealth in the Cause of Allah, and do not follow up their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with injury, their reward is with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve” [al-Baqarah 2:261-262]