A Father's Legacy: The Jasmine Foundation and Its Global Impact

On April 14, 2011, a tragic apartment fire in Paris took the lives of four international students, including Reza Djahanshahi's beloved daughter, Jasmine. Devastated by this loss, Reza, a Coquitlam resident, decided to honor her memory by establishing the Jasmine Foundation and Charity.

Before our interview, Sherry shared the heart-wrenching story of that fateful day, setting the stage for Reza's deeply personal narrative. Reza, the founder of the Jasmine Charity, shared his background with us. He was born in Shiraz, Iran, and pursued his education in the United States and lived in Florida for many years and eventually settled in Vancouver, Canada.

He spoke fondly of his family, including his son, and the aspirations of his beautiful daughter, Jasmine, who was on her way to becoming a lawyer before the tragic incident in Paris. Gently, Reza recounted how Jasmine went to Paris as a foreign student, where her life was cut short in that dreadful apartment fire. He emphasized the immense pain of losing a child but also the strength he found in preserving Jasmine's spirit and goals.

He shared the additional sorrow of losing his wife to cancer during that period, making the interview an emotional experience. Reza's commitment to continuing Jasmine's legacy became evident. He first established the Fire Safety Foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at educating young people about fire safety and prevention. Inspired by his daughter's love for travel and her passion for helping children worldwide, Reza then founded the Jasmine Foundation Charity, dedicated to aiding impoverished countries in need.

Reza and a group of like-minded individuals from his community embarked on a mission to open schools in countries requiring assistance. For Reza, this endeavor was a way to keep Jasmine's memory alive. Their journey took them to Nepal, Senegal, Nicaragua, Malawi, and Haiti, places that desperately required support in areas such as healthcare, nutrition, and, most importantly, education.

Reza recalled that it was far from easy, as some of these places lacked basic necessities like clean water, sanitation, and proper accommodations. However, they found solace in sharing their lives with the local families and immersing themselves in diverse cultures. The experience was beautiful, as it aligned with Jasmine's dream of helping those in need. Every journey undertaken by Reza and his team served as an inspiration to do more, especially for children.

They enlisted the support of numerous volunteers and collaborated with organizations like Build On to construct schools in foreign nations. Reza also revealed that in his spare time, he found solace in working with wood and creating small artworks to relax. He expressed how much he had learned from Jasmine and his profound happiness in continuing her legacy with the assistance of dedicated volunteers, generous donations, and the support of others, all with the aim of making the world a better place.

In summary, a brief video in English features several students discussing safety and fire safety, about the foundation, and recounting the tragic events that unfolded in Paris.

Our guest, Reza Djahanshahi, has not only shared his own story but also the incredible journey of resilience, love, and compassion that is the Jasmine Foundation and Charity.

Journalist: Sherry Soltani,
Skyrise Media Society