A Charity Giving Hope During the Pandemic and Beyond

From planting trees to buying ventilators and other medical equipment for hospitals, supporting boarding schools and scholarships, making toys for disadvantaged children, to empowering poor and low-income groups and people with disabilities, non-governmental organizations carry out vital, essential work across Iran. The Nikan Mammoth Charity, committed to working with people whose lives have been disrupted or devastated by natural disasters, hit by unemployment or poverty, or who don’t have access to education, is one of them. As one supporter points out, the charity has helped people throughout the coronavirus crisis, but it has been promoting the power of giving for several years.

When floods and earthquakes strike and hospitals are ill-equipped to deal with the crisis, the Nikan Mammoth Charity is there. It also helps people hit by unemployment or deprived of educational opportunities, and coordinated efforts to relieve strains on these. "We want a world in which all human beings are happy and healthy, a world where diseases are scarce and easy to treat,” the organization’s website states. “A world in which it is easy to resolve problems and the needs of the rich and the poor are considered equal. We seek a world where helping others is necessary for the survival of every human being. As we help others and strive to achieve our ideals, we seek help and we give help."

The charity's staff say that by creating hope and supporting those who have not been as fortunate in life as they have been, they never forget the support of donors and those who follow their work. They add that all donations they receive are dealt with honestly and appropriately, and that proceeds reach those who need it most.

Although the charity was established many years ago, it was only officially registered in 2010. "The institute carries out charitable activities such as organizing vocational, professional, and university scholarships, payment of medical expenses and financial support, and distribution of food among the homeless and to needy families who are unable to afford to buy it due to physical, social or economic issues,” the website explains.

"Our goal at this charity is to empower low-income groups in society so that they can become independent through studying and gaining skills,” said one Nikan Mammoth staff member. ”Thank God, we have done our duty properly and succeeded to the best of our ability. During the initial phase, the founders of the Nikan Mammoth Charity came to the conclusion that they would be best placed to meet people’s needs through financial support rather than offering them accommodation. In this way, we can help more people." He also said he believes good management is the cornerstone of successful charities, and that “the more people know, trust and support the charity, the easier it will be to expand our work."

The charity worker explained that donors could choose to support a range of initiatives. “For example, the Bread Project helps families who cannot even afford the most basic staples. Some sponsors pay for a small amount of bread for an individual family. Supporters also help change the living conditions of a family by paying a minimum regular donation. Also, for those who do not have financial means to help, they can volunteer to share their free time and help during busy days, such as market days, or with food and stationery packaging, and so on.”

Neda, an environmental activist who works with Nikan Mammoth, talks about the specific area she works in. "Nikans have been friends with nature from the beginning and have done their best to protect the environment and green space. For example, some time ago and after several wildfires in the country's forests, Nikan, with the help and support of other respected charities, was able to provide five blowers and two chainsaws for the Dalaho guards to protect the beautiful forests of Zagros. We have also been able to minimize paper consumption through access to modern technology, the establishment of an office automation system and the elimination of correspondence procedures, meaning we have been able to take an effective step to save trees.” Neda says the Nikan Mammoth environmental project also champions recycled paper, and that volunteers donated “a beautiful cactus plant to the paper donor.” People can also support the organization by purchasing products, from banners for events to digital greeting cards.

A volunteer called Alireza became familiar with Nikan Mammoth Charity through its Instagram page. "The first time a friend of mine posted  a story called #Equal_Share on Instagram, I followed the campaign and reached out to Nikan Mammoth Charity — I was very happy with their movement. It helped during the coronavirus pandemic and in bad economic conditions, sending the message that each of us can support a needy family by giving just 10,000 tomans. Their idea to attract support was so simple and appealing. I joined and started following their page; today I am an active supporter of the Nikan Mammoth charity.”

This article was written by a citizen journalist in Tehran writing under the pseudonym Sanaz Ghafouri Rad

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