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About Sewing Machine Donations: Give a Fishing Rod, Not a Fish
A sewing machine donation means giving a woman in need a means of livelihood instead of an aid parcel: given once, it earns for years.
As Austria Yetim Eli, we provide sewing machines to women in need across regions of need at 550 € per machine.
Why a sewing machine?
Many women who are widowed or the sole breadwinner of their family cannot leave their children to work outside the home.
With a sewing machine she can work from home doing repairs, tailoring and dressmaking, and support her family through her own work.
- A lasting source of income is created.
- The family moves towards freedom from dependence on aid.
- The woman experiences the dignity of standing on her own two feet.
How are the machines handed over?
The machines are handed over to women in need; basic training is also provided for those who wish.
This way, even a woman who could not sew before can start using the machine productively.
Example: a sewing machine donation from Austria
- 1 machine: 550 €
- 3 machines for three women: 3 × 550 € = 1.650 €
- As a group of friends: 5 people × 110 € = 550 € for one machine
Choose the quantity in the form above and add it to the basket. You can pay by card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, EPS or PayPal; you receive a thank-you email and, once the payment is confirmed, a receipt.
From aid to production: a lasting impact
A food parcel gets a family through a week, clothing aid through a season. A sewing machine, however, enables years of production.
A woman with her own machine can mend her neighbours' clothes, sew children's clothing and take orders before Eid.
The income earned goes first towards the children's schooling, food and healthcare; over time the family needs less and less aid.
In this way, this one-off donation from Austria helps a family in regions of need build their own future.
Is a sewing machine donation Sadaqah or Zakat?
Donations that enable a person to support themselves through their own work are among the forms of Sadaqah whose benefit lasts a long time. We cover this topic in our article Sadaqah and Sadaqah Jariyah.
If you wish to give the machine to a woman in need with the intention of Zakat, read our article who can receive Zakat; if in doubt, consult an imam or religious scholar.
Other projects that support families for the long term
To build a regular bond with a family, see sponsored family; to take on an orphan's care, see monthly orphan sponsorship.
All options are on our sponsorship projects page.
