From all of us at OMID, we wish you a wonderful holiday season and a New Year filled with peace, hope, and joy. OMID embraces the spirit of giving and uplifting the marginalized communities we serve. This time of the year reminds us of our commitment to empowering young women and supporting their journey toward perseverance, growth, and self-confidence. 

With Christmas on the horizon, we aim to continue developing our programs that help young women forge independence. Over the past few months, OMID has reached new milestones in education, empowerment, and self-expression, further solidifying our commitment to supporting marginalized young women. In this edition, we are excited to share the stories, programs, and initiatives that continue to shape our community. We are constantly grateful for the generosity of our donors, who have made OMID’s goals come to life. 

In this edition you will find:

• Evolution of the English Workshop 
• ESL Academy Update: A New Era of Growth and Development
• An Inspiring Path: From OMID Graduates to Public Health Heroes
• End-of-the-Year Fundraising Campaign

With heartfelt appreciation,

Marjaneh Halati  
CEO, OMID

As English remains banned from primary schools’ formal teaching in Iran (BBC Citation), OMID’s ESL Academy has become an invaluable resource for our participants, providing skills often out of reach elsewhere. With rising enrollment, we are introducing structural changes to elevate our standards, including standardized entrance exams to match students with the proper class levels.

We are also developing a Learning Management System (LMS) to streamline course management and communication, making learning more efficient. To maintain excellence, all incoming teachers undergo extensive TESOL training, and we are expanding conversational practice sessions led by native English-speaking instructors. These changes will allow our students to better engage with the world outside Iran, equipping them with the language and skills to break through borders.

We are thrilled to share the incredible journeys of two OMID graduates, Firouzeh and Gita, who have broken barriers as Afghan and Iranian refugees to enter the public health sector as doctors and physician assistants. Their paths to success have been marked by persistent and tenacious drive. Facing countless obstacles — including language barriers, discrimination, and limited access to educational resources —these women dedicated years to learning English with OMID’s support. Their achievements show the powerful, life-changing impact of OMID’s English classes, equipping young women with essential communication skills and learning tools for global opportunities. 

Firouzeh’s dream of becoming a doctor was inspired by her grandfather, a renowned Iranian physician. She grew up listening to stories of him saving countless lives. She wanted to follow in his footsteps, to carry on his legacy of healing and compassion. However, Firouzeh’s path took much work. As a young girl, her aspirations were constantly dismissed by those around her with doubtful and hurtful words: “Girls do not just go and become doctors; they have to be smart and work ten times as hard to have a chance,” she was told. Despite this, Firouzeh never let go of her determination.

Nevertheless, when her family fled to a refugee camp in Turkey, Firouzeh’s dream seemed almost impossible. With little money and no access to resources in Turkey, she searched for friends who could connect her with English and Science courses in hopes of getting herself into university and medical school. She coincidentally met Donya, a long-time daughter of the OMID, and was able to connect her with our team here at OMID. To this day, Firouzeh cherishes her friendship with Donya and the community programs she was brought into, all while facing endless sexism, isolation, and struggle for recognition as a woman in Iran. Every setback made her question if she could ever fulfill her dream, but OMID connected her with other female mentors in science and medicine, all while building her now-strong knowledge of English. Firouzeh could migrate with her family to the United States, attend university, and prove to anyone who doubted her that she could get accepted into Medical School, specialize in Cardiology, and now practice as a top cardiologist in her area. 

Gita’s journey, though different, was just as challenging. As a child in Afghanistan, she watched her family members risk their lives to provide her with an education despite the constant threat of violence and discrimination. In refugee camps in Iran, Gita experienced a devastating incident of sexual assault by Iranian security forces. She was denied every opportunity to attend school, especially as an Afghan woman living in Iran. She had to secretly teach herself to read and write, spending late nights with borrowed books. When she and her family resettled in Canada, Gita’s dreams of becoming a physician assistant seemed out of reach. However, like Firouzeh, she found her way to OMID. With every English class, Gita’s confidence grew. She overcame her fears, rose above the challenges of adjusting to a new culture, and took the first steps toward her career. Today, Leila works as a physician assistant in a women’s clinic that specifically helps women who have experienced domestic abuse, sexual violence, and gender-based violence, proving that nothing is impossible for Persian-speaking women—a beautiful, full-circle moment. 

Their success in overcoming repression represents the power of education and the remarkable strength of women who refuse to give up, no matter the circumstances. OMID’s English classes were pivotal in their lives, offering language skills and the encouragement and community they needed to believe in themselves.

Empower 75 Young Women to Break Through Borders: $100 to Change a Life

Imagine a world where English—the key to opportunity and connection—is banned for primary school students. This example is the reality for young women in Iran today. Nevertheless, together, we can open doors they thought were locked forever.

OMID’s English Workshop has evolved from basic language lessons to a transformative educational experience, teaching storytelling, public speaking, and real-world communication. This program is not just learning a language; it builds confidence, courage, and a future on the global stage.

Our ESL Academy is leading this charge, defying barriers to deliver an advanced, culturally enriched English education. With innovations like standardized entrance exams, cutting-edge Learning Management Systems, and instructors trained to the highest TESOL standards, we prepare these young women to step boldly into a world of opportunity.

Here is the challenge: For just $100, you can provide a semester-long scholarship for one of 75 students eager to rewrite their story. We need you!

Your gift funds more than classes build resilience against a system that tries to silence them. With your help, OMID’s students will shatter limitations, share their voices, and create lasting change.

The urgency is real. The need is now. Will you join us at this critical moment? 

Please donate today to help these young women gain a global perspective through the universal language that empowers them to break free from the constraints of gender apartheid. Your support equips them with the tools to engage, connect, and succeed on their terms, paving the way for a future where their potential is limitless–one scholarship at a time.