Ms. Simin Marefat - A Nurse with a Big Heart

Simin Marefat is a nurse with a big heart and now a recipient of Supreme Master Ching Hai's Shining World Compassion Award presented on June 10, Golden Year 5 (2008). Born in Iran and raised in Kansas, Simin currently works as a nurse at the University of California San Francisco Hospital but also takes time out to travel to third world countries offering her services as a health care volunteer. The selfless nurse has traveled to more than 60 countries, helping those most in need.

Having been to so many countries, Simin has seen much poverty, suffering and sickness, which has filled her with even more drive and compassion to continue helping the less fortunate. Of all the places she has visited, Simin says that Rwanda -- and the plight of the orphans there -- has touched her heart the most.

She stated in a recent interview that there are more than 43 million orphans on the continent of Africa. Rwanda in particular has hundreds of thousands of orphans as a result of genocide, AIDS, malaria, and other appalling situations or conditions. Simin has helped raise funds for Orphans of Rwanda, a nonprofit organization and NGO whose mission includes raising scholarship money to enable orphans to attend university. Simin feels strongly about the value of a college education. 

When presented with the Shining World Compassion Award and a US$5,000 monetary gift from Supreme Master Ching Hai, Simin was deeply moved and left speechless. With tears in her eyes, she assured Supreme Master Ching Hai that the money would be used to send 10 Rwandan orphans to college. In the thank-you letter to Master, Simin expressed her honor to have received the Award and was happy that more people will learn about the plight of the needy in third world countries through the recognition of her work.

Congratulations, Simin Marefat, and best wishes in your endeavors of selfless service and compassion.

Receipt from Ms. Simin Marefat for the US$5,000 contribution from Master.