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 the 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.”