Melinda Farhat is no stranger to the Sadr Foundation but after meeting Hiam Bazzi and her sister Ibtisam, she has a new understanding of the life-changing work that is occurring there. “We’ve all heard about the Sadr Foundation and we’re always hearing about the orphans,” said Melinda. “But now I know that there’s so much more to the Sadr Foundation and the work they do.” In fact, many of those who are helped by the Sadr Foundation are not even orphans.” For Hiam and Ibtisam Bazzi, their connection with the Imam Sadr Foundation in Lebanon began in 1977, when their mother passed away. Their father, fearing that he could not raise them to be the women he knew they could be, entrusted their care and education to the Imam Sadr Foundation in South Lebanon.

The sisters were just 7 and 4 years old at that time. “We always maintained contact with our father and two brothers,” said Hiam. “And the other girls living with us at the Foundation- they always kept in touch with a father or a grandparent or an uncle- whatever family they had in Lebanon. We were always encouraged to believe anything was possible,” explained Hiam, as she described how the Foundation would assist the girls with college and vocational training choices, finding that first job, or even marriage and settling into their first home. Ibtisam, married and living in Dearborn for the past eleven years, has four children, now all of school age.

She plans to enroll at Henry Ford Community College this January to finish nursing degree she began at the Sadr Foundation. And once again, her sister will be right beside her. Hiam plans to enroll at HFCC in January as well, to study webpage design. “After all I was taught there,” said Hiam of her years at the Sadr Foundation, “I want them to know that I’m going to continue my education. I see it as a repayment to them.” Sadr Foundation USA is already gearing up for its annual fundraising banquet, scheduled for March 26, 2009 at the Islamic Center of America. “People should never have a second thought about where the money is going,” Hiam said passionately. “Whether you give a few cents or a few dollars, your donation is going to teh education of real people- people who are getting an education, learning how to survive, and learning how to go out into the world and work. And you should know that you were the root of it.”

N. N a woman in the age of 62, born in the town of Dayr-Syriane  South Marjeyoun, lived in the ranch orphan and unknown parents (do not have identity) and was deaf, cannot hear nor speak. She lived her entire life on the help and assistance from the people. In the year 2003, she knew about the Imam Sadr center Deir Siryan existence. She began taking treatment there since then. She regularly visits the center for treatment, inspections and lab tests. She suffers from pressure and diabetes, and she was not used to take her medicines regularly for the lack of money. So we assured to get her the medication she needs constantly every month; in addition to secure lab tests and food, and we at Dayr-Syriane Primary Care Center follow her situation and health constantly.

The big day has come. I had mixed feeling of happiness and sadness. Should I be happy for the future ahead waiting for me? Or cry for the past that killed a big part of me inside?
I was a five year old when my father died. Imam Sadr Foundation became my home since then. My sister and I were raised at the foundation. I was very ambitious. I wanted to get to learn everything. I succeeded in my schooling with high degrees. When I finished school, one of my relatives came and asked to marry me.

The concerned team in the foundation started preparing everything needed for my wedding. They got me furniture for my new house and all my needs as a bride. I was the first girl to have a wedding at the foundation. A couple of days before the wedding, the invitation cards where delivered for relatives and cousins. On the big day, all came to see Ghadir bride. They called me so because my wedding was on the day of Eid al Ghadir. The smell of flowers from here and there filled the place. My friends or shall I say my sisters, the sisters who the hard circumstances brought them together to live together share their feelings in the arms of Imam Sadr Foundation. All were cheering for me when suddenly a woman in her forties crosses the crowd in the middle and stood in front of me. Silence filled the place. Who could this woman be?

The woman was crying. Then she fainted. All rushed to help her get up. She opened her eyes and said to me:”My daughter Zeina did you recognize me? Of course you won’t. You won’t know the mom who cried for you days and nights and never stopped thinking about you. I used to see you as an angel in the sky. Imagine how you became now. Who wondered I would see you in the white dress. Thank God.” My mom had been forcibly taken away from her kids once our father died due to some family problems. All who has been there cried. They cried for the situation, cried from happiness and my mom and I cried as well. She was a very dear guest; a guest who added life to my wedding. What a legend that changed everything in one second. Our hearts were flattered with love and joy after years of separation and sadness. I later on knew that the foundation had prepared all that to make me meet my mother who I haven’t seen since I was a baby. They searched a lot and found my mom’s address and invited her to attend my wedding. They offered all ways to help just to make sure she’d come. Every girl wishes that her mom stands next to her on her wedding day. My happiness would have never been completed without my mom’s presence. From all my heart I say, thank you Imam Sadr foundation.

“I’m Manal. I’m a nurse in ‘Dayr-Syriane Primary Care Center’
belonging to Imam Sadr Foundation.”

I was born in 1987 in the town of Taiba South within the borderline. We were eight members in the family. I lived my childhood and completed my studies in the village until Brevet. Then I heard good news about Imam Sadr Foundation and I decided to study nursing care there. It took me 3 years as prescribed in the curriculum and I finished level technical baccalaureate successfully. The foundation was my home, my family and my school. I stayed there until graduation and then started working at the center and began my career in 2005. Then I got the position as the manager of the center and I felt the importance of responsibility. After that, I continued my studies in the foundation for 3 years more. I also completed studying mental health for the entire year with intensive study. I’m still in my position today. In addition to the practical nursing and administrative work, I work as a mental nurse to serve patients’ psychological problems and follow up their cases.

My graduation day was the most prominent stations of my life and my ambition is timeless. What’s important to me is to always be creative and achieve peace of mind and gain satisfaction from God in all aspects of my life.

My mother died while she was giving me birth. So I opened my eyes on this world without a mom. Two years later, I faced another misery. My father died. He died leaving thirteen kids as orphans to face this harsh life alone.
We were raised in one of Lebanon’s villages. We suffered from agony, sadness, and hunger every day. I used to look at my brothers and sisters and cry for the situation. Our food was bread. Sometimes, I used to hope I’d sleep and never wake up again. How cruel can life be sometimes…
In the year 1980, Imam Sadr foundation offered help for families whose situation is similar to ours. I was lucky to get to enter this foundation. Finally, a door of hope opened for us. I was a six year old when I entered the foundation. It’s true that I lost the source of love and caring from my real parents when I was still a baby; but the people at the foundation made it up to me.

One of the activities at Imam Sadr Foundation is to accept invitations received to it. One day, it was invited by an organization from Beirut to join a celebration. The foundation sent a group of girls. I was among them.
Activities were done and I won along with other children. The winners were invited to go up the stage and get their prizes. A nine year old I was, came up with all confidence to receive my gift when suddenly a name of a winner was mentioned which was familiar. I looked at the boy and rushed to him. “He is my brother Ali. I haven’t seen him since a long time” I said with a loud voice that reached the whole place. The crowd was silent. I started talking to him regardless of the people staring. We hugged each other so tight and started crying. I heard the introducer of the celebration saying: “Thank God”. I held his hand and went down the stage and sat with him.
My foundation rapidly took care of the issue. They called the foundation that had Ali and arranged for continuous meetings for both of us. I thank God for everything and special thanks for Imam Sadr Foundation for all what it did for us.

Days and nights have passed on my humble family consisting of twelve members; a mom giving all her time for her children and a father working day and night to be able to feed the family.
One day my mom went to wake up my dad. But he didn’t answer. She started yelling: “Your father died, your father died”. Tears washed her face having no idea what to do. How will she take care of the kids? Who will help her?! I stood on the door of the room crying with fear. I had a strong feeling we will face a hard time now. My older brother, an 18 year old, started working to help the family. My sister and I had a chance, after a certain time, to enter Imam Sadr Foundation and be a member of it. There our life journey begun. I used to cry a lot and never slept without hugging my sister. To be honest, the only thing that brought happiness to my life then was the joy and caring I got from the foundation. We used to play, study, go trips, attend celebrations. I saw the world there. I grew up there and one day a guy came and asked to marry me. The foundation also took care of every single thing so that I’d get the best wedding ever. They prepared everything in the best way. They delivered cards for invitations. I was very happy. I can never forget the happiness I felt when I wore the white dress. My friends gathered around me holding the end of my dress and singing for me. This, for me, was a dream come true. A new life in a new house will start. The crowd where singing and clapping around me when, suddenly, I left them and rushed to the door of the restaurant. It was my brother. He came with dressed up with his military suit. All wondered who that good-looking man was. I said:”Where have you been? I waited for you the whole day!” He hugged me again with no answer as a sign of making it up to her. We both cried. He then said:”Forgive me; I did my best to be able to get here. If it was for me, I’d leave the whole world and not see a tear a tear on your face. But something urgent in the service kept me from coming early. Forgive me dear.” How couldn’t I forgive him? He was not only a brother; he was a father for us. I saw everything in him. Then he came in and gave my hand to my groom and wished us all luck. Now I became ready to start the new life that’s waiting for me. I feel blessed and grateful now. Thanks for Imam Sadr Foundation for everything.

My mother died when I was two and my grandparents took care of me. My father got married and moved away. And since then I didn’t see him again and never heard about him. He didn’t care to ask about me either.
I joined Imam Sadr Foundation in the year 1985. I was five. With God’s blessing, I had an intimate relationship with all who took care of me.
How many times I’ve walked on the beach of Tyre thought of what life hides for me. I used to think a lot about my dad. How he left me in such misery, if he still thinks about me, does I have now sisters and brothers? Would I have the chance to meet them someday?
A year passed, spent at Rihab Al Zahraa School enjoying the best care from my teachers, or should I say my second moms. Until on one sunny day, we were playing outside, a boy suddenly started climbing the wall of our playground. He kept on trying until teacher Abir saw him. She went near and said:” Do you need anything dear? Aren’t you afraid on yourself? You might fall and hurt yourself!”
The boy smiled and replied:” I live in this coffee shop and..”.
She said:”im asking you for the reason your climbing the wall and not about the shop.”
She felt sympathy for this 10 year old boy. And saw that sparkle in his eyes enduring pain. And his innocent face that holds a lot of questions. He told her his name was Hussein and that he wanted to reach his goal as soon as possible. He asked:” Are all these girls orphans?”.
She replied: “Yes, they are. Do you know any of them?”
He said: “Yes, and I climb this wall everyday so that I might reach her.” He said with a smile on his face: “She is my sister.” Miss Abir asked about her name but he said he doesn’t know it. After having a short conversation about where is he from, the name of his family, his parents.. “Ah!” she said, “I know who your sister is, come with me.” She grabbed his hand and headed straight to the playground where my friend and I were gathered around playing. Once they approached near, we all stopped playing and started looking at this stranger. Miss Abir said:” Go ahead Hussein, try to figure out which girl might be your sister.”  With his tearful eyes, he started looking at each one; but he couldn’t know her since he haven’t seen her since she was born. Miss Abir insisted that he tries again. How sad, a brother not knowing who his sister is! Then the teacher called me to come and said: “That’s her.” I said: “but I don’t know him miss.” Miss Abir told me: “Ill introduce you to him, he is your brother and he loves you so much.” I started crying when Hussein lied on his knees, his face facing mine. He kissed me and his tears rushed on my cheek. He said no word, just hugged me and then took a penny and gave it to me and asked the teacher: “Can I visist her every day?” How could she refuse such request! She replied: “Everyday, whenever you want.” Since that day forward, Hussein visited me every day. We used to sit under the palm trees. He became the world to me. I used to wait for him eagerly every day.
All this would have never happened without Imam sadr foundation and the blessing of Imam Moussa. Thank God, thank Imam Sadr Foundation. And may god bless them and bring all beloved ones back together.