BUCKiT® #32-Gelareh Darabi: Al Jazeera Environmental Correspondent – Talks About Escaping From Iran with Her Family

It’s 1979 and the Islamic Revolution has erupted. The situation in Iran is deteriorating -- paranoia and mistrust under a heavy-handed regime have made it unsafe for many to stay in the country. Escaping with his wife and 5-month-old daughter is the only option left for a navy captain who is affiliated with the former Shah regime. Leaving family, friends and all of their possessions behind, they flee to Athens, Greece with the hope of receiving the UK visas they’ve applied for. It’s a risky move that puts the family in limbo for several years. Tehran-born, Gelareh Darabi is an environmental correspondent for Al Jazeera English and National Geographic. Over the past decade, Gelareh has reported from countries like Haiti, Afghanistan, Iran and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Countries the media often portrays as hostile and dangerous. Gelareh’s goal as a journalist is to help her audience see past the stereotypes simply by uncovering unique and surprising stories of innovation, progress and hope.