by: Ahmed Mi Fengde
My name is Ahmed Mi Fengde and from age to age, we lived in Hanzhuang Villag, Er Shi Li Pu Town, Yucheng City, Shangong Province. There are about 100 families here in the village and all of us are Muslim. I have two children, the elder one is Hassan, 10 years old and the younger is Hssin, 8 years old. Due to some unexpected reasons, we have lived in poverty, all the four family members owned only two shabby houses and makes our living as farmer. Since we have no money to buy the fertilizer, we can only meet the basic needs of our life.
In December 2004, Haji Noor Deen's elder brother told me that an American Muslim would like to help the Chinese Muslim brother to escape from the poverty. The way is to buy 16 sheep and give them to the four poorest families, each family has 4 sheep. Once I know this, I submitted my application and decide to feed the sheep.
While there are some conditions to feed the sheep:
1. The family that plans to feed the sheep can not sell their sheep without permission in five years.
2. If the family decides not to feed the sheep again, Haji Noor Deen has the right to take the sheep to other poorest family.
3. The lamb bred by the sheep belongs to the one who feeds them.
4. The four sheep can be sold after five year and the sold money belongs to the family.
5. The family should take care of the sheep well, otherwise, Haji Noor Deen has the right to take them back and give them to other families.
On January 7, 2006, Haji Noor Deen came to my home and explained this to me, then he gave the four sheep to me on behalf of the American brother.
To be honest, I used to think that if I sold them, I could earned about 2000RMB (about US$260), which means that I can buy some new clothes, the fertilizer and the home goods.
While Haji Noor Deen told us that the reason why that America brother gave us the sheep is that he hopes we can make our fortune by our hands, and change the poor conditions completely.
I took the second thought and felt that it was correct. If they just gave us RMB2000, it would be sold quickly, which can do nothing to help us to change our life. The American brother was thoughtful, by feeding the sheep, I changed my mind. In Sha'Allah, I am very grateful the philosophy of making a living told by him.
On October 25, 2003, we and three other families took the sheep from Haji Noor Deen's brother's house. And Haji Noor Deen took the photo of us and told me that he would come to see us every year. His brother would supervise our work in the village.
I came to my house with the sheep, clearing the mow, building the sheepfold. Then, I bought another two sheep with the money borrowed by my friends. Day after day, with the care of our couple, just half year later, the sheep gave birth to 9 lambs, we were so happy. From January 1, 2005 to now, we had more than 50 sheep in just two years, with the fertilizing of the sheep dung, the crops grew so well. This year, I sold some sheep and earned about 10,000RMB (about US$1200). Al Hamdulillah! Al Hamdulillah! Al Hamdulillah!
On November 6 2006, Haji Noor Deen assembled all the 18 sheep feeding families and I made a speech on how to feed sheep.
In Sha'Allah, I plan to build a new house with money earned by feeding sheep. Haji Noor Deen is so happy to hear that and gave me RMB500 as a bonus on behalf of the American brother. The money will be used to dig a well in my new home.
Haji Noor Deen told me that the American Muslim brother is Hesham Alalusi, he has an organization which named Alalusi Foundation. I am really grateful his help and hope Allah bless him.
We Chinese always say that never forget the one who helps you.
December 29, 2006