Raising funds to help those in need during Ramadan can be even harder in lockdown. That certainly isn't stopping three people from across the world who call New Zealand home. Produced by Kadambari Raghukumar

Lockdown and Ramadan make for a very unusual combination. The month of Ramadan is distinctly marked by gatherings - for prayers, the cooking and sharing of meals at the end of a long day of fasting. Beginning 23 April this year for most Muslims in New Zealand observing the fast in lockdown has been more challenging than otherwise. But this month is also about reflection and generosity - two things that remain unchanged despite lockdown.

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Tariq Habibyar was born in Afghanistan during the war. Arriving as a refugee in New Zealand and having built a life for himself and his family here, he set his mind on helping uplift the lives of children and families back in Herat, his birthplace.

This past month he's been determinedly running an online fundraiser for children in Herat, a hotspot of Covid-19 in Afghanistan. He intends to send the money raised here to help feed kids and families struggling during the lockdown, most of whom survive on daily wages. Habibyar aims to send - through his network of trusted volunteers - food packages comprising basics like rice, lentils and oil.

"I'm just trying to bridge my two homes, New Zealand and Afghanistan," he said.

Habibyar is a career counsellor at Massey University and an ardent advocate for educating youth back in Afghanistan. Over the years he's been involved in several projects to help raise funds for school children there. "We don't just want them to survive, we want them to thrive," he said.

It's a belief that Mariam Almasri shares. Almasri, originally from West Bank, Palestine, is passionate and unwavering in her sense of purpose. She comes across as someone who has a mind for business while driven steadily by empathy.

Importing produce and products from Palestinian farmers, craftsmen and women's cooperatives, her social enterprise 'Preserved Identity' has been donating a percentage of the proceeds to help uplift families in Gaza, provide Ramadan food packages and fund uniforms for kids. …

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details