Let’s take a step back for a moment. The sun is setting, the scent of home-cooked meals fills the air, and families gather. It’s a moment of warmth, gratitude, and togetherness.
But for some, there is no feast waiting at the table. No stocked pantry, no certainty about tomorrow’s meals—especially during Ramadan, when the struggle is even more profound.
Humble Beginnings: The Birth of Ramadan Festive Care
In 2022, a small group of property agents from OrangeTee AAG—Azan Arifin, Zue Ali, Waty Zin, M F Deen, and Abdul Razack—came together with one powerful intention: to give back to those in need during the Ramadan season.
Having seen the struggles of families sacrificing meals and stretching food, they knew they had to act. Thus, Ramadan Festive Care was born. With no corporate backing, the agents rallied support from fellow agents, clients, and lawyers, collecting donations, purchasing essentials, and packing hampers by hand.
Every year during the Ramadan Festive Care event, they invited families in need to personally receive hampers, while also delivering them to those unable to attend. This effort not only provided essential items but also demonstrated the true power of community and compassion.
From a Small Effort to a Movement
The key to the movement's success was the powerful partnerships forged with various charitable organisations. Mohamed Irshad, founder and president of Roses of Peace (ROP), opened doors to ministers and organisations. Dr. Maliki Osman, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Education and Foreign Affairs, identified 100 families in urgent need through his community center—giving the movement a vital boost.
As the initiative grew, Azan's strong ties with the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and Mendaki, along with Waty’s connections with 4PM, broadened its reach. Partnerships with Muhammadiyah, schools in Woodlands, and the Nagapatinam Association further amplified the impact. By 2023, Ramadan Festive Care had become a cornerstone in OrangeTee’s corporate social responsibility efforts.
The Spirit of Ramadan: Giving Without Limits
Ramadan teaches Muslims that fasting is not just abstaining from food but fostering taqwa—awareness of God and compassion for those in need.
With this spirit, the movement expanded from 100 to 1,000 hampers by 2024. As logistics became more complex—sourcing supplies, organising volunteers, and coordinating deliveries—the mission remained the same: ensuring no one is forgotten during Ramadan.
Stories That Stay With Us
For Azan, this initiative is deeply personal. Growing up, his father taught him the value of sadaqah (charity), reminding him that wealth is a test, and the best way to show gratitude is by giving back. “There was a time when I was the one receiving a Ramadan hamper. This isn’t just charity—it’s a reminder that we are all part of the same community, responsible for one another.”
Some moments remain etched in the hearts of volunteers. Like the family in Jalan Minyak who broke down in tears upon receiving their hamper. “When they opened the door and saw the package, they started crying,” said Zue Ali. “That was when I truly understood—we aren’t just giving them food. We’re giving them dignity and hope.”
Or the elderly man in Bedok, caring for his disabled brother, who wasn’t on the list for hampers. Undeterred, Waty and the team told him to meet them at his void deck in an hour. They quickly bought the items and returned to find him waiting. “Imagine if we hadn’t come back. That moment changed me,” Waty Zin said.
How You Can Help
“We may be real estate professionals, but we are also part of this community,” said the team. “We earn, and we give back. That’s what makes it meaningful.”
As we mark the end of Ramadan and celebrate Hari Raya, we invite you to join us in this journey of giving. Whether through donations, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, every effort counts. Just $10 can help put food on a struggling family’s table. And as Muslims believe, in this sacred month, every good deed is multiplied.
Donations will be accepted until the end of April 2025. Your generosity can make a real difference—join us in supporting those in need. May your kindness be rewarded abundantly. Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
