Helping Orphans Through All–Star Comedy and Falafels

Do you want to see live comedy and eat from one of OC hottest food trucks, while helping orphans in Pakistan? If so, you’re in luck! This Saturday, December 22, Saba Homes will be hosting its annual charity event at Cal State Long Beach. The event features live stand–up comedy from Ali Saddiq, fusion falafels from Falosophy, and a mini–carnival for the kiddos.

The Saba Homes Cause
Saba Homes is an orphanage organization and assistance group founded by Saghir Aslam to help orphans of the 2005 Pakistan earthquake. The magnitude 7.6 quake killed 80,000 people and left 4 million homeless. Aslam’s orphanage supports 50 girls through a private school and USAID medical care and provides assistance to an additional 400 boys and girls living with guardians.

“The girls in the home are taken care of till they receive their BA degrees, are ready to be independent, and married,” Saba says. “Even then they are still considered a part of the Saba Family and will forever be welcomed there. We have essentially created a life any parent would want for their own children, for the orphans.”

“We want this to be as much like a home as possible,” says Saba spokesperson Saria Sairafe. “Our goal is that these girls have the same advantages as other wealthy and middle-class girls of Pakistan. We’re gonna give them something everyone in the world wants for their kids: people looking after them until they’re able to look after themselves.”

All proceeds from Saturday’s comedy show and festival go directly to Saba’s orphanage.

The Events
Saba wants to rejuvenate fundraising by shifting away from boring fundraiser dinners and instead provide entertainment people actually want to see. “We want to shift to entertainment people would normally pay money for, but all the proceeds go to helping the orphans and people in need,” Sairafe says.

After finding his comedic talent during a six-year prison stint, Ali Siddiq dedicated his skills to helping others. Comedy Central named Siddiq winner of their Up Next competition at the 2013 New York Comedy Festival, after which he recorded his acclaimed Damaged Goods comedy album. Additionally, Siddiq headlined Montreal’s “Just for Laughs” Comedy Festival, and appeared on HBO’s Def Comedy Jam and BET’s One Mic Stand. No stranger to good causes, Saddiq performed in his native Houston following Hurricane Harvey and donated his proceeds to fellow Houstonians.

With the opening of their Irvine Spectrum brick–and–mortar restaurant, Falosophy may be the hottest food truck in OC. Come try their garlic hinted, tangy chicken shawarma pita, with 24-hour-marinated chicken; or their Hipster Tabouli salad with cucumbers, fresh lemon and extra virgin olive oil.

Carnival games, bounce houses, face painting, and Arrow Tag will keep the kids entertained and happy while you sink into some falafel bites and world–class comedy by one of stand–up’s masters.

Rest assured, your donations are going to a good cause. “[Our owner Aslam] funds all our operations costs,” says Sairafe. “So if you want to fund the boys home, 100% of your donation goes to it. We’re not in this to fill our pockets. Regardless of race, religion, or gender, Saba wants to provide [kids] a home.”