About the Fund
The Mahsa International Fund (part of the All-for-Peace organization) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping the Iranian people, particularly women, victims of the dramatic current political situation and dire economic reality in Iran. The apolitical, multi-faith organization is a humanitarian initiative created to support Iranian people while they fight to restore democracy, justice, and freedom. The funds raised will be sent to grieving families to help them cope with the loss of a loved one, assist them and provide the financial assistance needed for survival (bereavement fund). The Fund will also help families whose breadwinner has been jailed or is missing and cannot support his/her family anymore. Lastly, the Fund will provide communication technology such as mobile phones to isolated, scared families, so they can connect with their loved ones outside of Iran and get family support as well.
A beautiful Persian poem written by Saadi is currently inscribed at the entrance to United Nations building. The general theme of the poem is that the world is like a large body, so if part of it is in pain, the whole body feels it. The actual poem is as follows:
بنىآدم اعضای یک پیکرند
که در آفرینش ز یک گوهرند
چو عضوى به درد آورَد روزگ
دگر عضوها را نمانَد قرار
تو کز محنت دیگران بیغمی
نشاید که نامت نهند آدمی
A rhyming translation of the poem by M. Aryanpoor is as follows:
Human beings are members of a whole,
In creation of one essence and soul.
If one member is afflicted with pain,
Other members uneasy will remain.
If you've no sympathy for human pain,
The name of human you cannot retain!
Our founder and organization
Meeting our goals
The Mahsa International Fund was created by Joseph Zarabi in response to the dramatic events in his home country and the suffering of his fellow people. Witnessing the ongoing loss of the Iranian lives, especially women, and their resolve to restore democracy and justice in Iran, prompted Joseph and his supporters to find ways to help, outside of the traditional, political or diplomatic channels. Their goal is to urgently alleviate this suffering by providing direct financial assistance to families impacted emotionally and economically by the extreme cruelty of the current regime. The Mahsa International Fund is part of the All-For-Peace not-for-profit organization (all-for-peace.org).
Reaching people in Iran and allocating funds is the biggest challenge. Careful planning and consideration must also be given to protecting any money we send to Iran to ensure that it arrives where
it is needed and to make sure it is not embezzled along the way. Finding trustworthy allies to help us with this mission is vital to its success. We think that supporting the families who lost their loved ones, especially the breadwinners, is a game changer.