April 2018: Iran- child safety May 16, 2018 Protecting Children in Iran: April 2018 Hemayataz Kadook. A micro NGO situated in Esfahan, Iran. A collection of volunteers, led by local hero Alma, have a passion and dedication towards improving the lives of vulnerable children in distressed families. Social Cycles met with the NGO team to learn about their programs, strategies and solutions within the Iranian culture. As a result, the teams of September 2017 and April 2018 donated $2,400. Overview This local Iranian NGO work towards helping children in vulnerable situations. They act as a support network for families who may be open to, or have a history of abuse. The children attend a weekly ‘child care session’ where they play games, participate in lessons and interact with professionals, who assess their well being through behavioural psychology methods. Every child is appointed a volunteer, who will be their point of contact for life. This volunteer acts as a ‘big brother or sister’ and is available to be called 24/7, should the child be in need of help or assistance. Hemayataz Koodak do not remove children from families or offer any residential care facilities. They monitor the child for their safety and work towards keeping the family together. Should situations arise which put the child at risk of danger, further departments and organisations are informed. Challenges faced Some of the major challenges faced by families are the same challenges faced by families all over the world. Domestic abuse, substance addiction, mental health, financial stress. Iran is not immune to these issues, but what does differ from a cultural perspective are the ways in which these matters are dealt with and viewed by society. Resources for mental health are rare in Iran. Opium addiction is very much an unspoken problem for many people. Strategies and Solutions There are no simple and straight forward answers when dealing with complex problems such as family issues. Hemayataz Koodak aim to work with both the mother and the father to ascertain the route cause of the problem, placing the child at risk. If the problem is financial, they may assist through vocational training and small loans. If the problem is addiction, they can assist with rehabilitation connections and programs. Should the problem be mental health, then their is a referral service offered. Participation from both parents is strongly supported and encouraged, but should it not prevail, the work to protect the child continues. Share this story Share on facebook Facebook Share on whatsapp WhatsApp Share on twitter Twitter Share on linkedin LinkedIn Share on google Google+ Share on stumbleupon StumbleUpon Share on email Email Let's stay in touch Name Email Send More Social Cycles stories Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife NGO Bridging Worlds: How Social Cycles Combines Travel and Charity Hope Box Vietnam NGO Lone Buffalo Laos NGO The best cycling route from Vientiane to Luang Prabang Laos Risk free travel in a post Covid world Brett Seychell +61 479 108 222 [email protected] Hub, 696 Bourke St, Melbourne 3000 about us How we started Our purpose Your donations Responsible travel Meet the team NGO partners Private adventures Corporate teams Self guided destnations Cambodia Laos Iran Samoa Vietnam Mongolia Colombia connect Name Email Let's stay in touch Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin Youtube responsibletravel recommends Social Cycles Brett Seychell +61 479 108 222 [email protected] Hub, 696 Bourke St, Melbourne 3000 connect Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin Youtube Name Email Let's stay in touch!