They say that charity starts at home. Karam, our charity, literally started at home: in Lina's living room.
We grew up surrounded by our parents' charitable giving. But, during the typical growing pains of adolescence, college, career and family, our "giving" gene lay dormant. That is, until the summer of 2007.
One day, the news broadcasted stories and images of humanitarian crises across the globe moved us. An aspiring presidential candidate powerful call for hope and change captivated us. That evening, an idea for a cookbook, a fundraiser, and a cause was born: Karam.
Karam is generosity in Arabic. The act of Karam is simple: give what is needed to whoever needs it.
Inspired, we began our Karam by volunteering at a food drive in an impoverished neighborhood. There, we witnessed hungry children and their desperate mothers waiting in long lines for a bag of free groceries. We wanted to help them all and many others.
Karam strives to meet these needs: one good deed at a time. As our organization grows, Karam's potential to serve the local and global communities is limitless. We are both proud of and humbled by all the people that we have already served. We believe that we have a moral obligation to do this work. We also know that we cannot do this work without you. Together, we can cover the world with our Karam.
With warmth and love,
S. Hala Souman
Lina Sergie Attar