Press statement by
Child Foundation (Portland, Oregan)
in response to the recent news regarding the foundation.
Dear Friends and Sponsors,
With your support, the Child Foundation has
provided food and education access to thousands of Iranian children over the
past 16 years. We take great pride in the lives we have touched by providing
much needed aid to Iran's most vulnerable populations; aid that is not rooted in
any religious or political conviction. We thank you for your valued support of
our efforts.
As you know, the Child Foundation strives to
alleviate the pressures political wrangling place on the most vulnerable
populations of countries like Iran. These political pressures include the
notorious policy of sanctions against Iran by the United States, the terms and
conditions of which continue to evolve and drastically affect Iranian children's
ability to thrive.
The Child Foundation has always employed the most
scrupulous standards in its operations, always prioritizing beneficiaries-the
children of Iran-whose lives would take very different paths were it not for our
intervention. To that end, we have successfully sent humanitarian assistance for
the past 16 years without incident.
Changes to the terms of US government sanctions
against Iran have significantly altered the landscape of humanitarian work,
making it more difficult for humanitarian agencies to carry out their
activities. Almost three years ago, the US government began an investigation
into whether our organization violated sanctions and breached the terms of our
tax-exempt status. Earlier this year, the government told us that they intend to
bring charges against the Foundation.
We were surprised and saddened that after nearly
two decades of operating within the confines of the law, the American government
would pursue charges. Our attorneys have guided us in responding to the alleged
violations of US-Iran sanctions. We, and other international organizations,
believe the sanction laws have set an unreasonable precedent for any
organization or individual in America providing humanitarian aid to people
living in politically unpopular nations. In the case of the Child Foundation, we
are profoundly disappointed that despite 16 years of care to ensure that every
dollar we receive goes toward our child sponsorship program as intended, the US
government still decided to target our organization. Despite our objections to
the accusations made against us by the government, we have had to make some very
difficult decisions.
After several meetings with US government
representatives, we had to make a difficult choice about whether to drain
precious future resources needed in Iran on legal expenses, or to agree to a
settlement with the US government, pay a fine, and work within the narrower
confines they are now placing on all humanitarian organizations that engage
Iran. We decided to choose the latter path.
As ever, our first priority is to continue to
provide life-saving assistance to nearly 3000 children in Iran and beyond. In
addition, we will continue to fulfill our duty to donors like you who rely on
and trust the Child Foundation to ensure your dollars reach the children you
sponsor.
It is likely you will have further questions
after receiving this letter and to that end, we are including a
question-and-answer document, which we hope will address some of the finer
details of this matter. Our volunteer legal committee members are also available
to address any of your concerns.
Now that our legal dispute with the US government
is over, we need you more than ever. Many needy children are desperately
awaiting your continued support and we feel we must proceed with renewed courage
and conviction to begin our operations in a country as troubled as Iran. We call
on you to share the strength of this mission at a time when it is most
stridently tested.
Please feel free to contact us at any time. We
value your support for our efforts and can only continue our work with your
compassion and understanding. We draw strength from the great poet Hafiz who
tells us "love is easy at first and then the challenges arrive". We hold sacred
our donors and the children we sponsor and are committed to continuing to meet
and overcome the challenges.
Sincerely,
Board of Directors
Child Foundation
For updates and a list of questions and answers
please see our web site at
www.childfoundation.org or contact our office at 503-698-4084 directly.
About
Child Foundation
Our
Mission: To help children in need who have been
identified as high achievers remain in school.
Our Philosophy: We believe that
education can move a child beyond the stigma of poverty, and give that child the
tools to reach his or her true and full potential.
Our Purpose: Since our inception
in 1994, Child Foundation has provided basic necessities to children living in
poverty or hardship by enhancing the quality of the life for these children as
well as their respective families. By providing access to education, Child
Foundation hopes to increase the number of students graduating from school, and
in certain countries, early matrimony.
Child Foundation
www.childfoundation.org
cfmain@childfoundation.org
1220 SW Morrison Street, Suite
500, Portland, OR 97205
Phone: 503-698-4084
FAX: 503-297-1546
... Payvand News - 12/28/10 ... --
