Chronicle of a philanthropic, self seeking Journey. For CHANGE is OUR individual responsibility to one another which transcends all borders, nationalities & isms
Why girls? No matter where they live in the world, girls are bright, talented, and full of dreams. But too many girls growing up in developing countries aren't able to fulfill those dreams because their chances to go to school, stay healthy, and live free from violence are out of reach.
Join Girl Up and you can help change a girl’s future. Girl Up is about you – and your friends – coming together to raise awareness and funds to help girls living in countries like Malawi and Liberia in five important ways: every Girl Up “High Five” donation of $5 or more supports United Nations programs that help girls go to school, get a health checkup, be protected from violence, be counted and become more involved in their communities. Girl Up is uniting girls to change the world.
Nasrin is 20 She does not remember her father, a heroin addict and drug dealer who abandoned her and her mother when she was only three years old. The step-father who replaced him continuously abused her. Nasrin left home at the age of 14 and was moved from one Behzisti (local authority) home to another until she found a safe haven at Omid-e-Mehr. Due to years of abuse, neglect and emotional trauma She was extremely angry and destructive when she first came to Omid-e-Mehr. But having received the proper psychological and emotional care, while given a chance to educate and broaden her mind she has been able to dramatically turn her life around. She has finished high school, is attending university preparatory classes, and is determined to make a career for herself as a lawyer. Nasrin has been reunited with her brother and grandmother, and is now also a regular visitor at her mother’s house.
Monir is 17 she has two brothers; a younger and older one. Monir’s mother is a drug addict. When her parents divorced, Monir was kicked out of the parental home. She then lived in Behzisti (local authority) accommodation until she was 16, when she was forced to leave because of her age. Stranded at such a young age with no money and no where to go, she had no means of supporting herself or renting a room. Left with no other choice she had to turn to her father and brothers who themselves were homeless and in no better predicament. Her father a poor shoe maker, could barely provide enough for his family to eat. Unable to rent a place, they all had to sleep in the shop where her father worked. With Omid-e-Mehr's help, the family has now found an affordable flat. Monir is continuing her training at Omid-e-Mehr, while mentoring other young children in creative writing in downtown Tehran.
"I didn't know what the word Hope meant before"
Mehri is 17She has never known her parents and has been placed in Behzisti (local authority) care since infancy. Mehri was an extremely fragile young woman when she first arrived at Omid-e-Mehr in 2004. She was depressed, shy, introverted and using drugs. For a long time she attended lessons only irregularly, and spent much of her time sleeping. An orphan all her life, she felt worthless as if she meant nothing to anyone. Today, Mehri is no longer taking drugs and is rapidly turning into a self-confident and vibrant young woman. She has completed her training at Omid-e-Mehr and is embarking upon a career as a beautician. She retains the passion for photography and painting that she developed while at Omid-e-Mehr.
Despite their past difficulties, and the obstacles still facing them, these young women have dreams. They yearn to participate in life, and to make meaningful contributions to the world around them. Each contribution, no matter how small directly improves the lives of these underprivileged young women in some vital way and Omid-e-Mehr value each and every donation. Donate Now
One year ago a massive earthquake struck the coast of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The devastation was unimaginable and the loss of life tragic. Today, across the world, we memorialize the more than 240,000 people who died that terrible day.
The effects of the earthquake are profound. The Haitian earthquake, unlike the tsunami, devastated the country’s government, killing 17 percent of its work force and destroying all but one ministry building, along with its phones, vehicles, computers and other infrastructure. Haiti must deal with all this destruction as well as the pressing issues it faced before the earthquake.
Port-au-Prince lies in ruins, a million people remain homeless, and Haitians still bear the scars and trauma of a horrible disaster. While the international community responded with substantial humanitarian aid, significant work still needs to be done.
Remove the Rubble: More than 50% of the original 19 million cubic meters of rubble remains uncleared. President Clinton called the situation “totally unacceptable.”
Provide Safe and Secure Shelter: One million Haitians are internally displaced. More than 1,000 camps dot the country, potential incubators for cholera, sexual violence and the spread of HIV.
Provide Clean Water and Sanitation: 40% percent of camps lack access to water. 30% do not have toilets. Water-borne cholera has claimed more than 3,000 lives.
The Clinton Foundation is leading collaborative efforts to help Haiti rebuild. In the months after the earthquake, President Clinton helped deliver more than $18.5 million in emergency relief and nearly $8.4 million in immediate grants to Haiti. In June 2010, he and philanthropists Frank Giustra and Carlos Slim announced a $20 million fund to help grow small and medium-sized enterprises that play an important role in building a modern, self-sustainable economy. At the 2010 meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative, members made commitments valued at $224 million. The Clinton Foundation continues to respond to critical needs, including building emergency shelters, assisting people living in camps, responding to the recent outbreak of cholera, and helping Haitian artisans access new markets for their crafts. Months and years of work remain to help the people of Haiti build a country they want to become instead of the country they used to be. For more information click here
A hefty yet graceful movement is transforming the world as you read, and it’s propelled by a wave of philanthropists on an unwavering quest to abolish global poverty. In 2009 Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, begin sketching a grandiose blue print for philanthropy. "The Giving Pledge" ask the wealthiest Americans to give away half of their net worth to charities. So far 40 Billionaires have signed on. The Combined worth of the pledge so far is up to $125 Billion.
Among the 57 billionaires who have pledged to give at least 50% of their wealth are Ted Turner, Barron Hilton, T. Boone Pickens, David Rockefeller, George Lucas, Michael R. Bloomberg and Paul G. Allen. For a full list of the participants click here
With 400 of the current 937 Billionaires living in the United States there is no telling how large this fund could get.
Some billionaires such as Warren Buffet and Larry Ellison have already pledged $46.5 and $26.6 Billions respectively, far more than half of their net worth. "We hope this movement will lead to more, and smarter, philanthropy," Buffett said. Gates and Buffett estimate their efforts could generate $600 billion in charitable giving.
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