A Letter from Soraya

Three years ago, at the age of 19, I was just getting out of a drug rehab center, had not finished high school, and had no clue what I was going to do with my life. But I was one of the fortunate few who were accepted into the Omid-e-Mehr program.

A few months ago I graduated from the program.

Much has happened in these three years. The highlights I remember most are that I received my high school diploma; received my IELTS level 6 internationally English language certificate; received my internationally recognized ICDL certificate for the computer skills I have acquired; completed my advanced accounting course and received my TVTO accounting certificate from the Iranian Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs; learned about the law and my rights both as an individual and as a women; visited every major museum in Tehran; been on many field trips around Iran to see both monuments and nature (the picture you see is from last year's trip to the Caspian); made many new friends; and found out what it feels like to be on top of the world.

I now believe in myself, am working full-time in the accounting department of a wonderful company in Tehran and live with two of my friends from Omid-e-Mehr in a small apartment. The future looks wonderful. Three years ago I did not think any of this was possible. For me the most important thing that has happened is that today I have a choice, a choice to decide what I want to do with my life, and the tools to succeed in whatever I choose to do.

None of this would have been possible without the Omid-e-Mehr. None of this would have happened without people like you supporting the Omid-e-Mehr. Words can not express what you have done for me. This is just to say thank you and to wish you the very best for the holidays.

Omid-e-Mehr will always need your support. Your support has helped me change my life. You can give the same gift of life that you have given me to thousands of other girls who truly need it.

Soraya