Annual Performance Report (March 2004 - 2005)

Introduction:

In today's world,  the activity of non-governmental organizations,  as  a  new  way  for  participation  of  some  people  in  determining  their  own  predestination  and  their  influence  in  the  trend  of  the  development  and  its  resulting  challenges, is of a special importance.  In  Iran  too,   volunteers  and  the  pioneers  of  NGOs'  services  as  the  carriers  of  the  national  development,   have  accepted  the  implementation  of  crucial  responsibilities. 

The existence of NGOs is the apparent aspect of the civil apprehension and their main duty is to supervise the performance of the sovereignty.  Moreover,  the secret of NGOs’ success lies in their non-governmental nature.  However,  due to the lack of, inter alia, an organic and defined relationship with the government, the weakness in democratic background and necessary civil rights, the possibility of independent activities carried out by such organizations in Iran has faced major obstacles. Keeping the distance with the government and its related institutions and  not  being  dependent  on  them  will  result  in  the  liberty  of  such  organizations,   and  thenceforth  by  suitable  decision  makings  an  influence  on  macro  levels  will  be  made.

As  the  coherence  of  the  political,   social,   cultural  and  such  like  national  organizations   has  increased  in  the  recent   years,  segregating  movements  have  given  their  place  to  promoting  reliance.  As a result, the contributions of various governmental sections  towards  the  deterministic  role  of  the  NGOs  have  increased.    Moreover,   some  of  the  non-governmental  organizations  are  consulted  for  local,  provincial  and  state  macro  decisions.

Regarding  the aforementioned facts,  SPASDI  is  a  non-governmental, non-profit making  and  a public utility organization  which strives to  prevent  and  control  social  disadvantages,  protects  the  foundation  of  the  family  and  helps  the  government  and  the  social  services  to  help  the  vulnerable  strata.

With  the  support  of  the  compatriots  in  and  out  of  Iran  and  also  the  national  and   the  international  non-governmental  organizations,   this  society,   in  addition  to  its  intrinsic  duties stated  in  the  articles  of  association,   has  also urged  in  offering  help  to  the  victims  of  the  earth quaked   region  of  Bam  by  being  directly  present  in  the  region  since  January  2003.

The  annual  performance  report  is  hereby  presented  in particular  to  all  those  who  have  supported  us  in  presenting  our  services.    The  Board  of  Directors  of  the  organization  offers  its  gratitude  and  benevolent  prayers  to  God  before  you.

The  society  uses  the  following  four  main  strategies  based  on  its  articles  of  association  in  order  to  achieve  its  intended  objectives:

1. Promote awareness and disseminate information on social orders.

2. Activate  different  strata  of  the  people  in  order  to  control  social  disadvantages.

3. Endeavor to raise the general public’s, governmental and international participation, coordination and actions;]

4. Conduct scientific study and research on  social  disadvantages  to  achieve  new  prevention    methods,  be able to offer timely intervention in crisis and  control the  social  disadvantages.

Executive activities within the society:

A)  The Performance of the SPASDI’s hotline   in March 2004 – 2005

By launching  the  hotline  service  in  2002,  SPASDI  has  been  and  continues  to  be  offering  telephone  counseling,  by  which  it  strives  to  disseminate  sound  and  timely  information  to  the  callers  in  order  to  prevent  social  injuries  before  they  materialize. In March 2004 – 2005 the counselors in charge have undergone the following educational sessions:

1. Self-disclosure: In order to teach the counselors to better recognize themselves, 10/5/04;

2. AIDS: In order to be able to give psychological support and sound information, with no prejudice towards those in need, so as to prevent HIV/AIDS infection and transmission,  28/6/04;

3. AIDS: In order to become capable of teaching the symptoms, ways of transmission and prevention,  15/7/04;

4. Sex  Therapy: In  order  to  familiarize  the  counselors  with  various  types  of  sexual   problems  and  ways  of  reducing  such  issues  in  the families,  16/7/04;

5. Lego  Therapy: To  help  the  callers  achieve  the  fundamental  concepts of life and understand life’s meaning so as to reduce the problems caused by having no incentives or suitable purpose to continue living, 13/8/04;

6. Family disputes: In   order to reduce inward family disputes, 13/8/04;

7. Juvenile  and  Puberty: To  be  familiarized  with  the  physical  and  the psycho-emotional structure  of the juveniles and to be able to guide them towards a healthy life; in collaboration  with The Childs Rights Support  Organization, 1/10/04;

8. The principles of family therapy: To learn the counseling principles so that remedies to the disadvantaged families can be offered;  in collaboration with  The Childs Rights Support Organization, 9/10/04;

9. The methods of telecommunications: To teach the counselors the principles of communicating by telephone and the rules for non-attendant professional counseling,  12/10/04;

10. How  to  elevate  marriage  relationships: To  teach  the  methods  of reducing communicating problems amongst the couples, 16/12/04;

11. Communicating  skills amongst the couples: In order to familiarize the counselors with  the ways of confronting anger in marriage disputes, 1/3/05;  

B)  Statistical report of the activities of the SPASDI's hotline in March 2004 – 2005:

1. The total number of callers to the SPASDI hotline was 3319, 2344 women and 975 men.

2. Regarding the age group, 1831 in 21-30 age group was the highest amongst all other  age groups.

3. Regarding the marriage status, married callers, 1838, were the highest of all other  types  of  callers.

4. 1038, requiring consultancy on AIDS was the most major issue amongst the social  problems.

5. Regarding the level of education, 1606, with National Diploma, were the highest  amongst  all  other  levels.

6. 1354 of all the callers had become familiar with the hotline through the television.

7. 2705  contacted  from  Tehran  and  614  from  other  cities.

The carried out projects:  

A) The  educational  workshop  project  on  intervention  in  crisis: 

The above project was held by The Prevention Deputy of the Province of Tehran Welfare Organization  and  SPASDI  to  help  the  counselors  raise  their  knowledge  on  how  to  be suitably  responsive  to  the  callers. 

B) The project  for  improving  capabilities  of   the  NGOs  for  the  handicapped  in  various  provinces:

This  plan  was  assembled  between  The  Iranian  Civil  Society  Organizations  Resource  Centre  ( ICSORC )  and  SPASDI  in  March  2004 – 2005.  In  order  to  fulfill  the  objectives  of  this  project  the  following  Educational  Workshops  were  held  in  three  provinces,   one  in  Tehran  in  March 2003 – March  2004  and  two  in  two  other  provinces  in  March  2004 – 2005:.

1. Tehran Educational Workshop, 14th and 15th of March 2003, at SPASDI’s venue. masters, representatives  and  managers  of  the  governmental  and  non-governmental  organizations  of  the  handicapped  participated.

2. Educational Workshop in Semnan, 18/7/04, held at the Assembly Hall of The Province of Semnan’s  Welfare  Complex,   with  the  presence  of  masters  and  managers  of  the governmental   organizations  of  the  province.

3. Educational workshop in Gorgan, 3/10/04, held in the Assembly Hall of The National Organization of the Youth in Gorgan, with the presence of master and managers of the governmental and non-governmental organizations of the province.

C) The  continuum  of  the  project  on  resolving  disputes  and  constructive  ways  of  inter-personal     

This project was carried out in March 2004– 2005 in relation to the woman’s week in Gharchak (Varamin), for the learners in the Literacy Movement. It is worth mentioning that this project was held  in  two  successive  years  of  2002  and  2003 in Gharchak (Varamin) and Dolatabad (Shahre – Ray),  in a very comprehensive manner. (Refer to the annual performance report of 2002 and 2003).

 D) Suggested  projects  to  different  organizations: 

1. Enhancing high school girls' and boys' understanding on HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis  B  prevention.  The  implementation  of  this  project  will  help  raise  juveniles� �  and  young  adults’  awareness at high  school  level  on:  ways  of  transmission  and  prevention  on  HIV/AIDS  and  Hepatitis  B; how  to  reduce  risk-taking  behaviors  and  also  improve  their  capabilities.  The  latter  was  carried  out  by  conducting  group  works  on  solving  problems.   This  project  was  suggested  to  the  Education  Ministry.

2. Awareness-raising  plan,  soldiers-specific,  on  HIV/AIDS  and  Hepatitis  B  prevention. The implementation  of  this  plan  will  help  raise  soldiers’ knowledge  on  the  recognition  of  the transmission  and  prevention  methods  on  HIV/AIDS  and  Hepatitis B.   This  project  was suggested  to  The  Health  Centre  of  the  main  district  of  Army’s  Common  Headquarters.

3. Project to raise juveniles',  young adults' and parents’ awareness  on HIV/AIDS  and  Hepatitis B prevention.  This  project aims to  promote  parents’  awareness  on  HIV/AIDS  and  Hepatitis B  prevention  methods  and  will  also  enhance their  knowledge  on  creating  effective relationship   with  their  young  adults. Thenceforth they  will  have  the  necessary  knowledge to  be  responsive  to  their  young  adults  on  the  aforementioned  issues.   This  project  was suggested  to  the  Education  Ministry.

E) Activities of SPASDI’s internet site: 

Web site: www.spasdi.org
E-mail: info@spasdi.org

In  March 2004 – 2005  the  layout  of  the  internet  site  was  revised. 

F) SPASDI's  activities  continuum in  the  state  committee  of  AIDS:

SPASDI was selected as the Directorship of the Subcommittee of social protection in the state Committee of AIDS in the province of Tehran and will also participate in the related meetings.  

G) Carrying  out  honorary  speeches  at  schools  of  Southern  Tehran,  barracks  and  universities: 

These speeches have been given to raise the awareness of, inter alia,  the pupils,  parents,  teachers,  soldiers  in  the  barracks and undergraduates( in and out of Tehran ) on social disadvantages   particularly drug addiction and AIDS.  Moreover they will be  familiarized with the relative prevention  methods.

H) Presentation of articles and conducting interviews with the mass-media to provide information:

By  carrying  out  interviews  and  presentation  of  articles  in  different  media,  the  members  of  SPASDI  have  endeavored  in  raising  the awareness of the citizens on preventing  various  social  disadvantages.

 I) The  activities  of  SPASDI's  headquarters  established  in  the  earth quaked  city  of  Bam: 

1. Enhancing high school girls' and boys' understanding on HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis  B  prevention.  The  implementation  of  this  project  will  help  raise  juveniles� �  and  young  adults’  awareness at high  school  level  on:  ways  of  transmission  and  prevention  on  HIV/AIDS  and  Hepatitis  B; how  to  reduce  risk-taking  behaviors  and  also  improve  their  capabilities.  The  latter  was  carried  out  by  conducting  group  works  on  solving  problems.   This  project  was  suggested  to  the  Education  Ministry.

2. Presentation  of  cash  contributions  to  the  victims  of  the  earthquake  in  order  to diminish  the  vital  needs  in  the  first  three  months  after  the  earthquake. This  was  done  under  the  expert  discretion  of  social  services,  managers  and  the  volunteering  member  of  this  society, amounting  to  over  310,000,000  Rials.

3. Expeditionary forces (particularly professional Medical  Group and  Rehabilitation  Team)  were sent  to  the  region  from  the  second  day  of  the  earthquake  in  order  to  help  the  victims  of  the  earthquake.    The  services  of  these  forces  were  over  3300  per  person  per  hour. (This figure  does  not  include  the  genuine  and  effective  presence  of  5  managers  and  neither  does  it  include  the  services  of  the  obliged  and  paid  personnel).

4. Offering services, inter alia, cultural, educational and sportive to those  children  and  juveniles  who  as  a  result  of  the  earthquake  had been  deprived  from  schooling  or  any  useful hobbies. Showing  films,  provision of a  mobile  library,  nutrition  counseling,   providing sports facilities,  playing with  the   children,   giving new year (Norooz)  presents,  giving  a  share  of  toys  and  special  gifts to  the  children,   most  of  which  were  conducted    by  the  highly  ambitious  volunteering forces  sent  to  the  region. (Over 195 people). The  transportation  of  these  goods  was  done  by  a  purchased  mobile  home.

5. Providing counseling and social work services particularly to the children,  juveniles, orphans and the female head of the household  who  had  been  adversely  affected  by the earthquake  shock  or  psychologically  and  socially  under  the  pressure  of  losing members of  their  family. The number of people who benefited from these services was over 711.

6.  Establishment, equipping and setting out a Technical and Professional Learning Centre in conformity with the standards of the Technical and Professional organization, inter alia, in computer studies and dress-making particularly for the handicapped, orphans and the female heads of the household. Upon passing the exams, these trainees received their Technical Expertise Certificate from Bam's Technical and professional Learning Organization and a number of  them  entered the job market in Bam.

7.  Organizing intervention sessions in drug addiction crisis and efforts for prevention and the treatments of  the  addicts in particular  children and juveniles. 

8.  Services  to  the  victims  of  social  disadvantages, inter alia, runaway girls and street  children is  one  of  SPASDI's  headquarters'  many  services.  Such a service assists    in identifying these  individuals and  thenceforth  offers  social  services by  referring  them  to  other  centers  and  related  institutions.

9. Identifying  patron less   children  who  have  lost  their  parents  in  the  earthquake  has  been  one  of  SPASDI's  headquarters'  major  activities  in  Bam.    This  headquarters  has   enabled the  relatives  of  these  children  to  arrange  for  their  fostering  and  patronage  in  intermediate families. This  is  done  by  carrying  out  social  services  and  regular  payments.  To this date over  106  orphans  have  been  identified  out  of  which  41  have  been  supported  by  SPASDI's headquarters  and  are  paid  800,000 – 2,000,000  Rials  per  month.  In  the  case  of  support  from  charity  people  this  number  could  go  up. It  is  worth  mentioning  that   a  number  of  compatriots  and  NGOs  have  accepted  the  responsibility  of  paying  the  orphans  monthly.

10.   The provision and distribution of various Rehabilitative equipments including wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, plastered and elasticized bandages and canes to the handicapped and the  related Rehabilitation organizations established in Bam, amounting to over 330,000,000 Rials.

11. The  provision and distribution of a variety of  medicines  and  presenting  them  to  medical and  treatment  centers   established  in  Bam,  amounting  to  over  244,000,000  Rials.

12. Presentation  of  gifts such as computers and  sewing machines to the distinguished  trainee who  have  succeeded   to  gain  top  grades  in  the  test  set  by  the  Technical  and  Professional  Learning  Centre.

Khosrow  Mansourian,
Managing Director and Head of Board of Directors,
SPASDI