Only 8 Years Old, and Working to Rebuild Syria

“There’s been a decade long war in Syria and we want to build houses for them.”

The unstoppable LemonAid Boys are still riding high on the Penny Appeal Community Kitchen Food Truck – and each day they’re a step closer towards fulfilling their dream of raising £250,000 for Syrian homes!

Eight-year-old best friends Ayaan and Mikaeel have been gathering the donations by dishing out freshly squeezed orangeade to thirsty passers-by, and earlier today they got to tell their story on Arab News in an exclusive feature!

“We’re raising money for Syria, and we’re aiming to raise double the amount of what we raised for Yemen (last year)” Mikaeel told the news crew. “We like raising money because we want to help the poor people so they can have stuff like us.” Mikaeel hopes that one day he will get to meet the families who are benefitting from the incredible work that he and Ayaan are doing.

Shakil Moosa, Ayaaan’s proud father, has been helping the lads with their latest endeavour. “Our famous LemonAid has now changed to OrangeAid in conjunction with Team Orange at Penny Appeal,” he said about the boys’ decision to switch up their recipe. “We’re hoping we can raise awareness and money for Syrian refugees and help build homes for people that have been displaced.”

All funds raised by the boys are going towards Penny Appeal’s Rebuilding Syria project – providing roofs over the heads of Syrian families who have been displaced by war and conflict. The £2000 homes are ensuring that these families – many of whom have children the same age as Ayaan and Mikaeel – can leave behind lives of danger, poverty, and homelessness, and start afresh on foundations of hope and safety.

So how does it feel to be changing the world at such a young age?

“We’re having a lot of fun” Ayaan says of their incredible efforts, “and we’re happy because we’re making other people happy in other countries.”

Click here to help Ayaan and Mikaeel rebuild Syria this Ramadan.