Mehadi Foundation

Since you heard from us last, The Mehadi Foundation has been researching ways to fulfill its mission of dedication to returning veterans and philanthropy in Iraq. We'd like to share some of the work we have accomplished.

Firstly, we would like to announce The Mehadi Foundation Scholarship. As we are gravely aware, the stresses of war are often too much to bear without turning to drugs or alcohol. All too often, addiction interrupts the educations of our veterans. Furthermore, many veterans find that money from the Montgomery GI Bill covers only a small part of their educational expenses.

The Mehadi Foundation Scholarship will provide college tuition to a few veterans of the Iraq or Afghanistan conflict who have struggled with drug or alcohol addiction, but are now at least six months sober. (1) $1000 award and (2) $250 awards will be given for the Fall 2008 semester/quarter. Applications are available for download at www.mehadifoundation.org. The submission deadline is June 15th, 2008. If you know anyone who qualifies for this scholarship, please inform them.

As part of our philanthropic efforts in Iraq, last month The Mehadi Foundation presented a gift of $1,000 to Whirlwind Wheelchair International, an incredible organization which sets up wheelchair manufacturing facilities in developing nations. What started as a small project at the San Francisco State University Department of Engineering has grown into a global network of wheelchair manufacturing shops. Whirlwind starts with designs based on years of experience and wheelchair-user feedback. However, the organization then adapts their designs to meet the needs of their global partners. The result is wheelchairs built from parts and machinery that are locally available in each region of Whirlwind's network. While the wheelchairs afford mobility to the handicapped, they also provide an economic benefit as they are built by local people.

Through liaison organizations, each region strives to raise money to fulfill their missions abroad. The war torn country of Iraq is represented by Stanford University physician, Dr. Sadick Alsadir, and his foundation, JIDU (Joint Iraqi Development and Unity Foundation.) We have great confidence that JIDU and Whirlwind will put The Mehadi Foundation's gift to good use in Iraq.

None of this would have possible without the donations and support of people like you. We would like to offer a whole-hearted thanks and a renewed commitment to this most important work. We will be in touch soon with more updates about our projects.