Celebrating Kindness

Philanthropists donated 690 billion rials ($17.7 million) to help needy students as part of the first phase of a charity festival held by the Imam Khomeini Relief Committee On September 14-15.

Donations sent to the annual festival known as ‘Jashne Atefeha’ meaning ‘the celebration of kindness’ in Persian, was 30% higher than last year when 530 billion rials ($13.5 million) was received, an official with IKRC, Fatemeh Rahbar said, IRNA reported.

“IKRC supports 312,000 students in needy families by providing stationery and school books, clothing, payment for necessary extra-curriculum courses and school bus fees,” she noted.

The festival is held every year in preparation for the academic year (starting September 23) and provides an opportunity for people to help students from low-income families in cash and kind.

The second phase of the festival will be held October 11 in schools across the country to encourage the students to take part in charity events.