How would you like your meat done?

In his third blog as a regular blogger, Charles Njanga, Islamic Relief’s Regional Media Creator for Africa, describes seeing first-hand the happiness qurbani meat can bring to families in Garissa, Kenya.

When you go to a fancy restaurant, they usually ask how you would like your meat done. The choice varies depending on how adventurous your palate is.

Meat is a delicacy that is consumed by many. Although there are those who give meat products a wide berth, many enjoy it as a tasty dish, prepared in a variety of ways.

For thousands of people in Kenya, meat is a rare delicacy that appears on their tables occasionally, and only for a moment. However, during qurbani many people get a chance to enjoy a meat dish courtesy of our generous donors.

This year I was in Garissa in northern Kenya during Islamic Relief’s qurbani meat distribution and the impact of these donations was quite evident.

Meat distribution

On the day of Eid al-Adha, I was at an Islamic Relief distribution site in Garissa Town. Goats and sheep had been slaughtered, with 1 animal being divided between 2 meat packs. On average, the qurbani meat pack weighed between 5 – 7 kilogrammes.

It was at the distribution site that I met Amran, a resident of Tawfiq Village in Garissa Municipality. The mother of 10 was happy to be able to cook a meat dish for her family.

I was accompanied by a colleague from the United Kingdom when we met Amran. We asked her what dish she was making, and she told us it was meat. My colleague tried to probe for the exact name of the meat dish, but Amran said it was just called ‘meat.’

As we continued talking about it, it dawned on me that we really do not give a specific name for meat dishes in this part of the world. When having meat, we do not really specify whether it is in a curry, fried or even boiled. The only time we specify is when we have nyama choma (roast meat), a Kenyan delicacy.

Impact of qurbani

I am just amazed at how much it means for a family like Amran’s to get some meat during qurbani. Children are the ones who really show the impact of such a gift. The smiles on their faces are priceless to see when a plate of steaming meat is placed in front of them. For me, these are among the best photographs and videos I take during this time.

Qurbani time is usually very hectic at Islamic Relief, especially the meat distribution. The day starts early and usually ends late. Meat is perishable and many of the places that Islamic Relief operates in have no refrigeration services. Slaughter and distribution must be done on the same day.

What many people may not know is that the animals due to be slaughtered must pass strict quality controls. A Sheikh (religious leader in the community)also inspects the animals to make sure that sheep or goats are at least 1 year old. All qurbani animals must be healthy and free of disease.

Once the animals are slaughtered, an animal health inspector makes sure that the meat is fit for human consumption. After that the distribution can start.

Preserving the meat

For many families, the meat they get is preserved to last them for up to 10 days or slightly more. In hot places like Garissa, one must try and preserve perishable things like meat otherwise they can go bad very fast.

Amran told me that some of the meat she gets from Islamic Relief will be cooked and preserved in oil (lard). The fatty parts of the meat will be boiled, and oil extracted from them. It is this oil that will be used to preserve the cooked meat, which can last for up to 10 days.

After a long day documenting these activities, usually as I travel back to my hotel, I marvel at how a qurbani gift from someone thousands of kilometres away can have such an impact on another human being.

For someone in Garissa, they may not have many choices on how they want their meat done, but their lives have been touched by your donation. It is my job to show the impact of such selfless giving and the joy it brings to another person, a total stranger in another continent.

Every year, Islamic Relief’s qurbani meat distribution reaches vulnerable families in Kenya and around the world, easing their burden and providing nutritious food during Eid al-Adha. Please help us to continue this important work. Donate now.

Charles is one of our regular bloggers. Each month, he’ll share stories from his work with Islamic Relief.