By Celine Akkary | Marketing and Communications Director
Dear friends,
Let us start by thanking you for your generosity and trust in our cause to conitnue enabling youth in Lebanon with programs that build up their skills and improve their income generation opportunities.
We're more than halfway through the year, and Lebanon's situation only seems to be getting worse.
Earlier this year, a report published by U.N. agency ESCWA reports that an alarming 80% of the population in Lebanon is now under the poverty line.
Youth are desperate to leave the country but those who can't are left vulnerable to exploitation, depression, drug use, violence, and even suicide.
Our update covers two youth stories who, through our programs, were able to challenge these difficult circumstances to stand on their feet.
Assil, 22 years old
Becoming an entrepreneur takes business sense, initiative, and a great idea. Assil, age 22, from Baalbeck, had all three of these qualities when she founded her business, Cultiva. She produces high-quality potting soil made from purely natural components, which she sells at fair prices to farmers in need to such soil to help grow their own products.
Lebanon imports more than 80% of its needs across all sectors, which contributes to extremely high prices. Her small enterprise encourages local production and helps farmers and seed nurseries in selling affordable products.
Since the launch of her project, Assil has participated in many exhibitions and trade fairs inside Lebanon and in the GCC. Her potting soil has won several awards for quality, competing with some known European brands.
Without the knowledge gained from the entrepreneurship program, Cultiva would never have 'taken root'!
Kevin, 24 years old
Kevin is from the Chouf area in Lebanon. He has been working in the restaurant field since he was 13 years old.
Approximately two years ago, he was diagnosed with cancer and had to stop working to focus on his medical needs. He went through aggressive and necessary treatment, but such treatment came at a cost, psychologically and financially. His savings and ability to afford day-to-day living expenses fell by 90%, and his parents lost the vast majority of their savings as well in order to help cover the cost of treatment. They barely had enough to eat at the time, and struggled significantly to pay for his treatment.
At this juncture, Kevin saw Nawaya’s Employment Hub program announcement on social media and applied. Upon signing up for the program, his morale began to lift as he started looking ahead in life and setting goals for himself. Although he was still taking each day as it came, he was able to work with his career coach on setting and organizing his goals by studying Event Management, and eventually finding employment with a local events management company.
We thank you once more for your kindness and generosity and hope these two stories brought a smile to your faces, as they did to ours.
With Gratitude,
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