'I saw a level of poverty I didn't know existed' - Wakefield trio's Tanzanian donations help hundreds

Kubra Hussain, Zeb Pervaiz and Sobia Pervaiz travelled to Tanzania, in East Africa, earlier this year to deliver hundreds of pounds worth of aid to people in extreme poverty.

During their time in the country, the trio worked with the SYF Shazad Yaseen Foundation to help hundreds of people, building wells, helping to install solar panels and donating bikes to children who faced a three mile walk to school.

Kubra said: "It was an eye opening journey. I have seen things which I would have never even dreamt of. I had seen a different level poverty that I didn’t know existed in this day and age.

"Some moments were so hard to take in and I almost broke down seeing how this is a reality for some people. People living in mud homes, no access to water or medical care; travelling miles upon miles by foot to get to school.

"Despite all these issues they were facing on a daily basis they never lost hope.

"I want to personally Thank everyone who donated and supported us in this cause. I can honestly say the money spent has gone into the most needy, remote, isolated and demanding causes."

A registered charity, the Shazad Yaseen Foundation was set up in memory of Shazad Yaseen, a dedicated charity worker who helped hundreds of people. The Foundation says it "reaches out to the less fortunate and provides them with the means of survival and hope."

During their time in Tanzania, Kubra, Zeb and Sobia helped plant fruit trees and donate livestock of goats, which will help those in extreme poverty to make a living.

The trio also distributed hygiene kits to mothers with newborn babies and food packs filled with necessities to more than 800 households.

FInd out more about the Shazad Yaseen Foundation here.

A message from deputy editor Gavin Murray:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Don't forget - you can get 20% off your local paper by subscribing online. That's six months of your Express for less than £30.

Find out more here.

Thank you