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Got any good ideas? Share it July 2002 Latest This month * Question class July 30, 2002 * Sure investment Investing in the Iranian economy is not a bright idea these days. But there's one investment that is safe and can make a great impact: building schools. Our dollars go a long way in Iran. With only a few thousand dollars, you and a a small group of friends can help build a private school that will educate children for generations. July 23, 2002 * Question class Colleges often offer classes on unconventional, non-traditionnal subjects designed to open the mind. But how about this for high school, or even earlier: A class where each day the teacher would encourage students to question the validity of a commonly-accepted idea, norm, practice or behavior -- deconstructing ideas and behavior and challenging everything we believe in. The idea is not to destroy a young student's whole outlook on life, but exercising the brain and learning to question everything accepted as "truth". Teenagers tend to be rebellious anyway. So why not guide that angst and turn it into something that would be most useful for the rest of your life? July 24, 2002 * Senior citizens There are many Iranians that soon (very soon) are going to be needing special care. They are going to be considered senior citizens and there is no way that they will ever be placed in a nursing home here. I wouldn't put my dog in one of those places (well I don't have a dog). My point is Iranians need to create a special place just for them. This place should have many activities, resources for health insurance, social security, what can they expect from being citizens. It should be run by Iranians for Iranians. We have to remember that they left their beloved Iran to be close to their son/daughters. We must care for them, make them feel welcome here - we have to learn from them. They are our encyclopedia and resource center. I volunteer to help start this organization. I am asking you, my dear Iranian friends, to contact me. I am not Iranian, but my heart belongs to Iran. I can tell you that about six months ago this nice Iranian Lady was here visiting her son. She was alone in his house all day. His son had to work. This lady got sick and needed someone to take care of her. You guess it - she didn't have anyone. Her son didn't know what to do. He called my neighbor (Iranians) and my neighbor called me (I am a nurse). We went to her house, took care of her, but my friend had to leave. So I stayed with this nice lady for a few days (keep in mine my Farsi is poor). Somehow I managed to communicate with her. Her son is not married, and travels a lot for his business. Now this is one of many cases that our Babajoon and Mammanjoon are here alone. We must do something. Let's get started. I am good in fundraisings and I know toghether we can do it. Khodaa Haafez , Isabel July 23, 2002 * Film production Why don't we (Iranian-Americans) create a film production company. We seem to have a whole lot of stories to tell, but we can tweak them to suit the American or perhaps the global audience. I am sure financial possibilities are abundant. So who's in? -- Sheila K July 22 2002 * Boarding school This is more like a wish: A private/non-profit English-Persian co-ed boarding school for high school students somewhere in the spectacular valleys of northwest Iran. Or the plains of Hamdan. Somewhere green and hilly. Got any good ideas? Share it July 22 2002 * Chess match Organize an annual chess match between Iranian and American students/youth. Make it interactive: allow people to watch every move online. It will be hugely popular and help relations in the long-run. Got any good ideas? Share it July 19, 2002 * Private tutor: Culture Having a private tutor is not a lot of fun. But there's one possible kind of "tutor" who could provide fun AND be educational for those living abroad. If you have young kids at home, hire someone with a good command of Persian to come over once or twice a week and simply read popular Iranian stories to them. Children can learn so much just by listening. Got any good ideas? Share it July 17, 2002 * Home library Libraries are essential. The internet has not replaced the need for them yet. And we really need them in our communities abroad. There are many Iranian parents living alone at home in Los Angeles or London or... They don't have much to do except read Persian books and magazines. They usually have a modest library at home. They should let members of their community known that their books are available to the public. Everyone should, not just parents. My books are available. Got any good ideas? Share it July 16, 2002 * Write a Story Foundation Start an organization to encourage people of all ages to write stories. These stories can focus on immigrant experiences, for instance. Every year select the best stories, give a cash award to the top three writers, and publish 20 or so of the stories in an anthology. You can get grants for such a project from non-profit organizations, easily. Call it something like Write a Story Foundation, which I just noticed would be W.A.S.F. -- similar to the word "VASF" meaning "to describe". Got any good ideas? Share it
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