Having been brought up in a developing country, I have spent many years surrounded by people who did not have access to even the most basic necessities in life: clean water, primary schooling, safety…. From an early age, my parents showed me we had a responsibility to help others, regardless of how little or how much we had. I grew up seeing my parents year after year dedicate one whole day a week to serve as volunteer doctors of a small village outside our city.
As a teenager, my first hand experience of community work was looking after the teeth of children living in one of the worst squatter neighborhoods in my town. For over a year, once a week, I climbed the precarious steps on steep hills, rain or shine. Yes, despite the treacherous walk, it was easy to enjoy every second I spent in that neighborhood, and to get attached to these beautiful children, who had very little but much hope for a better more deserving life.
These experiences shaped me more than I ever imagine. I started my professional career by developing low income housing and gradually moved to a more global organization, but with basically the same purpose. To help others have a better life.
Some years back, I was asked to go to my son’s school to explain to very young children what I did. “I am like Bob the Builder”, I said showing them a large and bright storybook on the same character. “I help build things so that people can live better.” Later on, it was beautiful to overhear my son say to a little friend “my mommy has the most important job in the whole world – she builds roads so that children can safely get to school, gives people water and builds towers to keep them safe from foxes”. I often wondered which character in which storybook I got confused by at the end with the story about foxes….But the first part is true. From Iran to Argentina to Thailand , I have been fortunate to be able to do something meaningful with my life. I have seen people’s appreciation in their eyes, and felt their sorrow – when the Tsunami hit the coasts of India and Sri Lanka , for example. Now, I am honored to be able to help my local community in a place we have made our home.
J.D. Rockefeller once said that “I believe in the supreme worth of the individual and in his right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. I have kept these words in my mind for a very long time, and remember then often in my day to day - we have to help others that cannot help themselves.
This is why I have joined the All Hearts Foundation. To make an investment in someone else’s life. Not only because it is good and noble. But because life is a precious gift that should not be wasted. I believe that we should all try to make a difference and contribute in the best way we can, as often as possible, every day, through small as well as big actions.
I will put in tremendous dedication, enthusiasm, innovation and hard work to help the All Hearts Foundation fulfill its mission of helping less fortunate children become the accomplished adults they deserve to be. I bring engineering, business and finance skills and experience to a strong and committed team of individuals that want to make the world a better place.
