Stoves for 234 beggar families, Yemen, 5200 Euro 

In Yemen, the Akhdam are at the lowest level of society. They are believed to be of African origin and even though they have lived in Yemen for many generations they are considered inferior by the other Yemenites. 
The Akhdam have no status whatsoever in Yemenite society. There is a saying in Yemen that you wash a plate after a dog has eaten from it but that you throw it away after an Akhdam has. If you consider that dogs are considered dirty in Yemen, you will understand how little respect is felt for the Akhdam. They have no opportunities in this society; they have a high percentage of unemployment and are desperately poor. The Akhdam receive occasional support but it is limited.

Until recently, a group of 234 Akhdam families were living in tents in a slum near the capital Sana'a. Their houses/shacks had burned down in the summer of 2004 and the government had provided tents to them. Only tents and no other essential equipment. 
In October 2004 there was a second fire, probably caused by cooking on open fires. Care international then connected their camp to the electricity network and provided basic cooking equipment. This did not unfortunately prevent another fire in March 2005. This fire was the most devastating so far. A baby was killed and seven people were injured and many people lost the few possessions they had. This was particularly heartbreaking because some had - against their own culture - started to save some money and this was lost in the fire. The fact that they were saving had been a positive sign: they were starting to believe in a better life. But a fire such as this most recent one can throw them back into apathy.

These people have now been housed in a public housing project. This project had always been intended for them but for unclear (political) reasons the houses had remained empty. In that sense, the fire at least led to something positive. 
Even though the Akhdam are now properly housed they still lack many things, such as cooking equipment. This means they cannot cook and they cannot boil water, which is essential to prevent disease. 
To solve this problem, each family needs a two-point gas stove and a gas cylinder with regulator (in Yemen everyone uses gas cylinders to cook as there is no alternative). 

If Moments-of-Joy provides gas stoves to the families this will greatly improve their existence. In a practical sense because they will be able to eat warm meals again, and in a psychological sense because the Akhdam will feel that some people care about them. 

234 families which live at the bottom of society and have no real opportunities in Yemen, can be shown that there are reasons to have hope. 
The costs are € 5.196. (approximately €23 per stove). 

Total € 5200,-- 

adopted by the general fund of Moments of Joy

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