E26 | How A Kurdish Woman Survived Being Buried Alive To Help 60,000 People Thrive - Taban Shoresh How I Became ...

At the age of four, Taban Shoresh and her family found themselves imprisoned, facing a harrowing ordeal at the hands of Saddam Hussein's soldiers.

Today, Taban stands as the driving force behind The Lotus Flower, a charitable organisation she founded. The mission of this organisation is to empower women, girls, children, and other community members affected by conflict and displacement, equipping them with the tools and opportunities needed to rebuild their shattered lives. Remarkably, The Lotus Flower has already made a profound impact, touching the lives of over 60,000 individuals, offering hope and support through its centres in Kurdistan.

Beyond her work with The Lotus Flower, Taban is also the visionary behind Therapy Beyond Borders, a non-profit entity dedicated to partnering with communities worldwide that have expressed a pressing need for therapy programs. Through this initiative, she strives to extend her compassionate reach and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those grappling with the enduring scars of trauma.



We discuss:

-Growing up under Saddam Hussein's regime

-Being imprisoned at age four

-Walking into your own funeral-Moving to the UK at age 6-Feeling different from everyone else

-Getting married at age 19-Seeing the red flags in an abusive relationship

-Healing through Reiki

-Learning how to find your voice again

-Asking your CEO for advice

-Using your trauma to help others

-Helping over 60,000 women and children



Chapters:

(00:00:00) Surviving Saddam Hussein's Regime

(00:05:18) From Zero to 200 Staff: The Growth of the Charity

(00:11:11) Life on Saddam Hussein's Most Wanted List

(00:16:13) The Traumatic Experience of Being Taken Away

(00:21:53) Interrogation and Imprisonment

(00:27:14) The Journey to the Prison

(00:32:45) Rescued and Disappearing

(00:38:09) Hiding in the Cities

(00:43:34) Witnessing Tragedy on the Journey

(00:49:02) Escaping Iran and Starting a New Life

(00:54:40) Adjusting to a New Culture as a Teenager

(01:00:05) Cultural Fear and Forced Marriage

(01:05:30) Feeling imprisoned and controlled

(01:10:46) Fear of Getting Caught

(01:16:27) Taking a Stand and Leaving

(01:21:35) The Shame of involving the police in a divorce case

(01:26:53) Finding My Voice Again

(01:32:17) Reflecting on Childhood Trauma

(01:37:53) A Life-Changing Meeting

(01:43:16) A Scary Experience and the Helicopter Delivery

(01:48:41) A Helicopter Trip to Distribute Aid in a War Zone

(01:54:06) The Impact of Crisis and the Power of Lived Experience

(01:59:28) Economic Independence and Livelihood Projects

(02:04:31) Supporting Healing Journeys and Empowering Communities

(02:09:49) Listening to Your Inner Compass

(02:15:02) Believing in the Power to Make a Difference

(02:20:21) Embracing a New Chapter



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Credits:
Director: Charles Parkinson
Poet & VO Artist: Ashley Samuels-McKenzie
Editor:  Catherine Singh