Founder of MAHAK Received the Highest medal of Art for Peace

At the closing ceremony of the 3rd Festival of Art for Peace, Saideh Ghods the founder of MAHAK was awarded the highest medal of Art for Peace in recognition of 25 years of humanitarian and philanthropic activity.

The founder of MAHAK stated that the continuous support and trust of thousands of benefactors have been MAHAK’s main asset during these years enabling MAHAK to provide services to children suffering from cancer and their families. She added: ”Supporting cancer-stricken children would be possible if this asset is conserved and MAHAK strives to safeguard the public trust based on two principles of transparency and accountability. It is our duty to inform all stakeholders about MAHAK activities in different ways such as MAHAK’s news bulletins, and arranging on-the-spot tours of its charity and hospital. Financial and independent audit reports and news are always available to our audience on MAHAK’s website.

The founder of MAHAK pointed out the current situation in Iran and said: ”Improving Social Indicators is of utmost importance for our country that have one of the oldest cultural and moral traditions in the world. In order to support the future of the country, we need to educate and train children focusing on social issues so we can make use of civil capacities to solve the problems. MAHAK has always been promoting altruism amongst its little supporters and is grateful to all parents and instructors that teach humanity to our beloved children.”

During this festival, the highest medal of Art for Peace was awarded to Saideh Ghods, the founder of MAHAK, Jalal Satari, writer and researcher, Alireza Mashayekhi, musician, and Hassan Rouhani, The president of Islamic Republic of Iran.

Saideh Ghods presented her medal to professor Parvaneh Vossough, the founder of Pediatric Oncology in Iran and the late head of MAHAK’s board of trustees and hoped that the path of kind-hearted elites such as Parvaneh Vosoogh in pursuit of providing services to people in need will be continued.

Saideh Ghods continued: “I hope that people and our supporters keep the issue of children suffering from cancer in their minds. We as a charity organization, with activities related to supporting cancer-stricken children, do not use the word ‘battling’ in our title, and instead we use the word ‘support’ for children. This could be the connection between the various activities of MAHAK and the concept of peace and children.”

On the 3rd festival of Art for Peace, a painting drawn by the cancer-stricken children being supported by MAHAK organization was exhibited. The no-borders view of children was noted by experts, members of art and culture community, and the visitors. A video of the various stages of the painting was also shown at the closing ceremony. The painting that was collectively done at MAHAK was bought by Nasrollah Afjehie and regifted to MAHAK.

This painting, named ‘Farewell to Cancer’, illustrated by MAHAK children with the aid of volunteer instructors of MAHAK representing a picture of unity amongst people of various colors, ethnicities, nationalities and cultures celebrate the day when people around the world say goodbye to cancer for good.

We believe that the picture painted by MAHAK children with colors of hope and life will eventually become reality with the support of all benevolent people in the world and on that day, we will celebrate the well-being and health of all the children.