“The wounds have only deepened the recent hostility between Israel and the Hezbollah and continued to go on the abyss fragile nation. Daily bombing, once a distant echo of past wars, are now a terrible reality, especially in the south, Beiruts and in the Bekaa Valley.”
These lines reached the Austrian development organization youth recently from a world of Sister Lina Abou Naoum, project partner in Lebanon. The Don Bosco sister is the director of a Don Bosco school in Kahalé, a mountain village in the district of Aley, around 13 km from Beirut, which has been supported by a youth for many years. Around the anniversary of the port explosion in Beirut, which shook the once pulsating capital on August 4, 2020 and continued to fuel the advanced economic crisis, Jugend urgently calls on a world.
Rockets, fear, hunger
“The constant roar of fighter planes, the crashing impact of rockets and the ubiquitous feeling of uncertainty have become the background noise in everyday life”In conversation with youth, Sr. Lina says a world managing director Reinhard Heierer. “Even with us in Kahal, just a few kilometers from Beirut, the explosions can be heard and felt. This leads to a constant state of fear, especially during the long, sleepless nights.”
According to Sr. Lina, the psychological stress for the Lebanese population, especially for the children, is immense. “Fear has become a constant companion, people twitch together with every sudden sound.” In addition, despair can be felt because the future of people is uncertain. “Workplaces were lost, houses were destroyed and vital goods such as medication and electricity became scarce or are unaffected”according to Sr. Lina. No wonder that over 80% of the Lebanese population now live below the poverty line. “Many were driven out of their houses and were looking for refuge in safer cities, their lives are uprooted and their future is uncertain.”
Afternoon school offers important education
The challenging situation also left their mark on a world project partner in the youth. Until five years ago, Sr. Lina and her team at the Don Bosco school were able to hold regular lessons. Then it had to be closed. The help for needy children and adolescents did not tear away. Thanks to the youth, the Don Bosco sisters started numerous projects to continue to give young people with education a chance of a better life. “Our afternoon school is one of these projects. 38 pupils are taught by nine committed teachers. At a time when state schools are often closed due to strikes and private education is often unaffordable, our afternoon school ensures that the children continue to receive high -quality education, and complements what they would otherwise lack”so sr. Lina. “In addition, young teachers are given the opportunity to generate an income and thus finance their everyday life.”
Free health care rooms
In addition to the afternoon school, the youth also provide a world project partner in their buildings free of charge, which are used by doctors in the field of dentistry, physiotherapy and psychotherapy. The medical offer is almost free and not only ensures the urgently needed health care, but also creates opportunities for young specialists to use their skills. In addition, the Don Bosco sisters provide around 90 people in need with a free meal every day, around 40 families in need receive food rations.
Please help with your donation!“Our project partners in Lebanon around Sr. Lina not only provide important help, they also all remind you that even in the darkest hours of solidarity and willingness to help can give a little hope. Please help with your donation so that Sr. Lina and your team of the needy population in Lebanon can continue to help”
appeals Youth a world managing director Heiererer.
Youth a world donation account: AT66 3600 0000 0002 4000 | Online donations under www.jugendeinewelt.at/spenden | Donations are tax deductible!
More information: www.jugendeinewelt.at