The story of Malam Hassan Isa, the nail cutter, is one that resonates with the essence of humanity, the importance of touching lives and making a difference.
His story, which was published in Daily Trust Saturday on March 30, 2024, chronicled the struggles of a man who, despite his efforts, could barely make ends meet with a meagre sum of N900 to provide for his family of nine.
Malam Hassan’s story is not unique, as there are many individuals in Nigeria and across the world who face similar circumstances of poverty and lack.
However, what sets Malam Hassan apart is his resilience and determination to make a living through honest means. He is a man who takes pride in his craft and does not let his challenges weigh him down.
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It is heartening to note that Malam Hassan’s fortunes have changed for the better. Daily Trust Saturday was able to reach out to his family to know how he has been faring, and he shared the good news that he has finally smiled to the bank.
He revealed that following the publication of his story, he received a wave of support from generous individuals from across various states.
These donors contributed a total of N150,000, which has greatly impacted his family’s financial situation.
Additionally, an anonymous philanthropist gifted his wife a grinding machine, and promised to provide funds to start a chicken business, thereby allowing them to achieve financial independence.
Malam Hassan expressed his profound gratitude for the support he received, noting that the first N100,000 alert he received was so overwhelming that he found it difficult to sleep.
“I felt as if it was a dream, Hajiya. I kept waking up from sleep after every thirty minutes just to check my phone to see if the alert was really true. I was overwhelmed and couldn’t have a peaceful sleep.”
The outpouring of kindness towards Malam Hassan and his family highlights the power of compassion and empathy. It also underscores the importance of shedding light on the stories of individuals who are facing challenges, as it can inspire others to take action and make a difference.
His journey serves as a beacon of hope for the less privileged in our society, demonstrating that with the support of kind-hearted individuals, it is possible to overcome adversity and achieve success. His experience also encourages us to be more attentive to those in need, and to lend a helping hand whenever possible.
In a previous interview with this publication, Malam Hassan shared that he had never held N20,000 of his own.
However, following the publication of his story, he was able to receive a total sum of N150,000, thanks to the generosity of a foundation who sent an alert of N100,000. He also received subsequent donations from individuals, including N10,000, N17,000, N5,000, N3,000, N2,000, N4,000 and another alert of N9,000.
Malam Hassan expressed his gratitude to everyone who donated and made it possible for him to achieve financial stability. He specifically mentioned the contributions of journalist Mubarak Aliyu, who was able to gather donations from his social media network after sharing Malam Hassan’s story on his handle.
Furthermore, Malam Hassan said that as a result of the donations, his family was able to obtain grains, cooking oil, and seasonings that can last them for another three months without the need to purchase additional foodstuff. He expressed his heartfelt appreciation to everyone who donated, and prayed that the Lord would reward them abundantly for their kindness.
For the first time in his life, Malam Hassan was able to give Zakat al-Fitr, a mandatory act of charity in Islam that every capable Muslim is expected to perform at the conclusion of Ramadan. This charitable giving is aimed at facilitating the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, the festival that marks the end of the Ramadan fast, particularly for the impoverished members of society.
“I felt excited to be among the capable Muslims to give out their Zakat al-Fitr this year. I have always been the one to receive the alms every year, but I thank God Almighty that I was able to give too.”
His financial stability has had a positive impact on his family’s well-being, as he has been able to pay for his children’s PTA dues and purchased new uniforms for them. This has been a great relief for the family, as their previous uniforms were torn and they were unable to afford new ones.
Malam Hassan expressed his gratitude to God and the Daily Trust publication for bringing help his way. He also shared that he intends to enroll his youngest child, Amira, in school soon.
In addition to supporting his family, he also extended his generosity to his mother and mother-in-law, both of whom were in need of medical treatment. He was able to send some money to cover their medical expenses, which brought them great joy and appreciation.
