IRAN Service Office-Opens NAWS opened its fourth office in June 2005. Prior to our decision to open this office, we were stymied at how to help meet the needs of more than 30,000 members in this community. We had heard "rumors" that there were thousands of addicts recovering in Iran . We asked members in the Middle East to attend the Iranian convention and eventually two board members traveled to Iran and confirmed that the explosive growth that we had heard about not only had happened but was continuing! We were elated that so many members were embracing recovery. Then came our dilemma-the members in Iran needed recovery material and resources-and the question-how do we meet their needs. Three members from Iran were funded to attend the Middle Eastern workshop. We hoped to begin a discussion of how we could assist in better meeting their needs. Following that workshop, communication with Iran continued; during the April board meeting, we concluded that the most effective way to meet their needs today was to open a branch office in Iran . This actually came to pass with an office being opened in June with a lot of effort by Siamak Khajeian, who manages this location for us. We want to thank him for his tremendous effort in making this a reality. He is assisted by two parttime employees, Farhad Pormotableb Porsohee and Farzad Atri Today, Iran continues to experience unprecedented recovery growth-meetings are often held in parks to accommodate the vast numbers of addicts in recovery. We are told that there are instances where a sponsor has a hundred or more sponsees. Imagine trying to work the steps with a hundred people at the same time'? We all extend our heartfelt welcome and support to our brothers and sisters in Iran . NAWS News November 2005 If you have additional information on NA Iran / NA in the Persian language, please e-mail us at address below. |