Andresia Ebrahim, Indonesia Managing home, office and children is all about planning
For a working mother with three schoolgoing children, meal planning is key during Ramadan, according to Andresia Ebrahim, an Abu Dhabi government employee. There is a key support factor she has — the generous help of her husband.
Ebrahim, who is a Senior Business Planning Coordinator in Abu Dhabi, said a big share of the credit for a planned Ramadan food schedule goes to her husband.
From helping prepare light meals to the main courses, his contributions make her life easy.
“Whether it’s during Ramadan or in other months of the year, he is always there. That’s a great support for me,” she said.
“For suhour, generally we prepare the meal before going to bed because the morning is packed with many things such as performing the Fajr prayer, getting the children ready for school and getting ready for work,” she said.
Iftars are usually light meals, and dinner comprises main courses. Once she gets home from work, around 2.30-3pm, she rests for a while. “I get almost three hours to prepare for iftar, which is sufficient, as my husband is there to help,” said Ebrahim.
When they have guests, meals are a blend of home-made dishes supplemented by takeaway items.
Ebrahim’s husband, Yuni Budi, 43, a geologist with a government company, said, “We have a list of tasks to be done each day, which we divide between us and collaborate to finish them on time.
“Every day, I prepare breakfast for all which includes boiled eggs, omelette and bread. For meals, I cook satay [Indonesian dish of seasoned, skewered and grilled meat, served with a sauce],” said Budi, who came to Abu Dhabi three years ago.
Ebrahim’s son Mohammad Akhtar, 13, studies in Grade 7 at Gems American School. He said, “I help my mum in the kitchen arranging iftar meals and setting the table. The whole family contributes and that way no one person is doing everything. Everything gets done comfortably.”
Akhtar, who observed the Ramadan fast last year, is determined to do it this year too.
I help my mom in the kitchen arranging iftar meals and bringing the dishes to the table. The whole family contributes ... everything gets done comfortably.”
Mohammad Akhtar |