Our founder Taban receives the Visa Everywhere Pioneer20 award

We’re delighted to let you know that our Founder Taban has been announced as a winner of the inaugural Visa Everywhere Pioneer20 project.

 The honour means she has been selected as one of just 20 trailblazing women in Europe who judges stated “excel in their respective fields” and have “meaningful impact” in their communities.

All 20 winners are currently or have previously identified as a refugee – as Taban did after surviving genocide as a child and fleeing conflict in her homeland.

The first Pioneer20 award programme is run by WeAreTheCity, a free hub for women in business, in partnership with Visa. All of the winners were recognised for facing down stigmas and stereotypes, campaigning, changing lives, challenging narratives and empowering women and girls.

WeAreTheCity Founder Vanessa Vallely OBE says: “WeAreTheCity has been humbled to read the stories of so many incredible women who were nominated for this year’s Pioneer20. These women have shown such resilience, strength, and tenacity. Despite their own harrowing experiences, they have worked tirelessly to ensure that their fellow refugees and asylum seekers have the support they need to rebuild their lives.

“I am honoured that we have had the opportunity alongside Visa to shine a spotlight on their incredible work. Congratulations – you are an inspiration to us all.”

You can read about all of the Pioneer20 winners here…

The award comes just months after Taban was also named as one of the UK’s Top 50 equity trailblazers in the 2023 Trailblazer50 list, also compiled by WeAreTheCity. The list was announced ahead of International Women’s Day in support of its #EmbraceEquity theme, highlighting individuals working to make society a better place for women. Taban was recognised as one of many who go above and beyond to drive conversations around domestic violence against women and girls, period poverty, race, menopause, FGM, child marriage and social mobility.

First Lotus Supper Club of 2019

We kicked off the first Lotus Supper Club of 2019  in style at Tom’s Kitchen

Guests were greeted with champagne drinks, followed by an absolutely delicious two-course meal, prepared by the wonderful staff at Tom’s Kitchen in Chelsea. This food really is good for the soul!

This was our first fundraiser of the year, a room full of supporters coming together to share their experience, make meaningful connections and drive change for a brighter future for the women and girls.

Lotus founder, Taban, delivered a speech about her personal story; the journey her life has brought her on and how this has driven the passion to create The Lotus Flower. Our sole aim is to deliver support and enhance the lives of the women and girls we work with.

Lena Corner, a journalist who has visited Kurdistan, spoke about her experience and the work she’s seen Lotus do on the ground, and the impact it has had.

"from what I witnessed, The Lotus Flower work is like any other charity I've seen, the women and girls are so engaged and there's a great sense of community feeling in all the centres"

Dr. Jane, a fully-qualified GP and Aesthetic doctor, then spoke about why she's chosen to be part of Lotus and how she is looking forward to her upcoming trip where she will go out and train the women in life support first aid and self-screening for breast cancer.

"I’m really excited to be able to use my skills to empower the women through medical training to be able to look after themselves and family even after we leave - knowledge is power"

For our first supper club of the year, it was a really successful fundraising night where our guests were able to enjoy lovely food, inspiring talks, and even a set by an acoustic singer.

This will be the first of many Supper Clubs we host this year.

Fill a #LoveLotus Jar this Christmas

This advent, do something amazing and donate just £1 per day to give a life-changing gift to female conflict survivors.

Starting on December 1st, simply recycle a glass jar and pop £1 in it every day until Christmas Day. Then donate the £25 you save to The Lotus Flower, which is helping women and girls who are ISIS survivors rebuild their lives.

Many of these women and girls have endured unimaginable atrocities – such as rape, sex slavery, human trafficking, and the brutal murder of loved ones. Our centres in the Kurdistan region of Iraq offer a safe haven for them to socialise, rehabilitate, and learn income-generating skills.

Your £25 donation can make a massive difference.

Taking part is this easy:

1. Dig out a glass jar with a lid and decorate it

2. Save £1 every day from Dec 1st– 25th

3. Post pics of your jar on social media using #LoveLotus and share this message

4. Tag three friends to do the same, and tag @thelotusf so we can share your post

5. After saving your £25, donate online at www.thelotusflower.org/donatexmasjar

Please urge your colleagues, friends and family to do the same – wherever they are. Let's #LoveLotus and change lives this Christmas.