Ladan's journey

Learn about Ladan's courageous journey through a tragic upbringing in Iran and her emergence today as an empathetic advocate for children.

Ladan suffered at the hands of her own family before she came to OMID Foundation where she was sold into prostitution by her mother at the age of nine and raped repeatedly for years. Ladan was not considered a victim, she was considered a perpetrator. As a result, Ladan was convicted for committing incest and was sentenced to death. When OMID heard about Ladan’s case, they sought the help of a human rights lawyer and managed to get her conviction overturned with the agreement that she be released into OMID’s care. After a significant development program, Ladan is now OMID’s librarian and feels very proud of her position. Like all OMID graduates, Ladan is encouraged to engage in volunteer work to help the community. As such, she has become involved with Khaneh Koodak Behnam, an NGO that works with young street children, many of which have dropped out of elementary school and have learning disorders.  Ladan’s experiences have enabled her to have the empathy needed to successfully help these children and their adoration of her shows it.

The Blossom Hill Foundation is proud to support the work of OMID Foundation, an organization that empowers disadvantaged young women in Iran, and believes their model is a strong example of how helping a woman has ripple effects in society.  To hear Ladan tell her own story, listen here http://vimeo.com/41255854.