ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Ismael Golomohammidi, a research assistant in international business at Memorial University and a PhD student in management at MUN in St. John’s, took a portion of a BMO scholarship he was awarded for academic excellence for the 2018-19 school year and donated it to an elementary school in his home country of Iran.
The money will be used to improve facilities for students at the school in Jangalsara, a small village about an hour south of the city of Ramsar.
“I got $6,000 from BMO for my academic standing and decided to take a portion of it to help make renovations to the school,’’ Golomohammidi said, explaining that he contributed $2,000.
“They had a need — and could actually use more money — for more renovations, just to meet the minimum safety standards at the school,’’ he added.
"I would like to be able to do good things to help my people, but also do great things here as well." — Ismael Golomohammidi
He shared a host of photos of the school, the large slope in front of the school down to a busy road, the primitive conditions of the washrooms and drinking water areas, and a small cabinet that served as the school’s infirmary.
When he and his wife, Sepideh, arrived in Canada in 2017, they were fortunate to meet many great people who helped them settle into this new society, he said.
“My experience here in Newfoundland has been great. I love Newfoundlanders, they are damn nice,’’ he said.
“They are thoughtful, personable and do all they can to help you. I want to use this opportunity to thank them, as they have helped teach me it is important to help people and I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to give back and help people in my country that need it.’’
He is currently seeking $2,000 more through fundraising to carry out projects the school requires and is confident the people of St. John’s and area will step up to the challenge — something he says they always do.
While that may not seem like a lot of money, $2,000 is more than the equivalent of a year’s worth of minimum wage earnings in Iran. He said the average worker gets $144 a month, and with that, and the cost of supplies, the renovations can be completed easily.
He has been in this province since August 2017. Golomohammidi, 36, and his wife came here as students from Iran — Sepideh, 30, for a bachelor of science degree in oil and gas, and he for the PhD program in international business.
Before coming to Canada, he worked as an industrial engineer for 10 years and has a master’s degree in that discipline.
According to the Iranian Labour Network Agency (ILNA) news reports, 1.5 million students are studying in unsafe schools, facilities that need help from people like Golomohammidi and others.
A number of incidents have occurred since 2012 that highlight the need for help. In Shin Abad, two girls died and other students were severely burned after an oil-burning heater exploded in a classroom in Piranshahr.
In October 2018, Donya Veisi died when a wall collapsed in a school in Kurdistan.
Four girls died on Dec. 18, 2018 because of a heater explosion in Osveh Nemoneh School in Zahedan.
These accidents are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to students being injured or killed in unsafe facilities across Iran.
“I would love to stay here, but I don’t know what the future will hold. I would like to be able to do good things to help my people, but also do great things here as well,’’ Golomohammidi said.
“Canada and Newfoundland have such nice people. This will be a great place to settle if that is what the future holds for us.”
To donate, contact Golomohammidi on Twitter or through Facebook
