Beyond the AVO

Manal is a young Lebanese woman living with her mother and three younger siblings after leaving a violent marriage.

Home is now a place of safety for her. But it is also where she sees how stretched her mother already is, supporting the household and three children on her own. Manal is safe, but she is not financially secure.

On top of this, Manal experienced an assault at her workplace. She applied for work cover, but it has not yet been accepted. She has now been without any work income for two and a half months. Returning to that workplace is not an option; she does not want to see her ex‑husband again, and remaining in that environment would put her wellbeing at further risk.

In the meantime, everyday expenses like food, petrol and phone bills are becoming difficult to manage. She doesn’t want to add to the financial pressure her mother is already carrying.

Manal reached out to National Zakat Foundation Australia for support while she worked to stabilise her situation. Her case was assessed under the Needy category, and NZF was able to assist with essential expenses including food, petrol and her phone bill.

The support gave Manal some financial breathing room while she looked for new work, allowing her to remain safe at home without adding further pressure on her family.

Your Zakat. Manal's Right.