Outstanding Bills and School Fees

At the kitchen table, Raher looked over the latest bills, knowing his next week of work would bring in less than the one before.

For the past two weeks, as a casual truck driver, his shifts had been cut back, and the impact was immediate. As a 59‑year‑old father, on a bridging visa, he is the only earner for his family. He lives with his wife and seven children, from teenagers down to a toddler, and his income is the only thing standing between them and falling behind. His wife is at home caring for their young children, with no other support coming in.

Some weeks, he earns around $800. Other weeks, it drops closer to $500. Recently, it has been the lower end. There is no fixed income, no safety net from other services, and no government support for this family.

With rent already four weeks in arrears and an electricity bill overdue, every dollar has to stretch further than it possibly can.

To keep the electricity on, Raher entered a payment plan, trying his best to pay $50 a month towards the electricity bill. But the landlord received the bill directly and became increasingly unhappy with the situation. At the same time, income kept falling. The reality inside his home reflects the pressure he carries.

One week, when there simply wasn’t enough money for groceries, he bought a tray of eggs for $30 and asked his wife to make fried rice to last the week. With seven growing children, that was all they could afford.

On top of rent and utilities, there is another responsibility on his mind: the Madrasah and Quran school fees for five of his children. He wants them to stay connected to their faith and learning, but even these fees now feel out of reach.

This is what need can look like in Australia.

It can look like a father who works whenever shifts are available.

It can look just like the people you see in your own masjid.

This is Zakat in Australia.

When Raher reached out to National Zakat Foundation, he asked for help with essentials: support for the outstanding electricity bill and assistance with the Madrasah and Quran school fees for his children. His situation was assessed under the Needy category, recognising that despite his efforts, he could not meet these basic obligations alone.

With local Zakat, NZF was able to step in and relieve some of this pressure. Support towards the electricity bill helped keep the lights on and eased tension with the landlord. Assistance with Islamic education fees meant his children could continue their Quran and Madrasah studies without interruption.