In partnership with different NGOs and individuals around Lebanon, Adyan Foundation worked on implementing various initiatives through its Solidarity in Action project. These initiatives aimed at providing psycho-social support, house repairs, food security, and rehabilitation of schools and small businesses among other social welfare projects in different regions around Lebanon.
Psycho-social Support
Given the lack of services provided by the state, accompanied by a fragile education sector, especially in the Northern areas of Lebanon, female prisoners have often faced a challenging time reintegrating into society. Therefore, this initiative provided 20 psychological support sessions for inmates in Tripoli Central Prison to restore their self-confidence and help them re-integrate successfully into society at the end of their sentence period. It also aimed at promoting self-development and self-affirmation so that prisoners can successfully rebuild their lives and minimize the risk of re-committing crimes.
Another psycho-social initiative is the “Better Together” project which included children and youth between the ages of nine and eighteen. The program sessions involved various topics such as protection information, well-being activities, psychological and social distress, coping mechanisms, conflict resolution, critical thinking, societal integration, and acceptance of others. The project took place in Al-Ouzai, an underprivileged and neglected area situated on the coastline of Beirut, and that has been suffering from lack of public services and poverty which was further aggravated by the Lebanese economic crisis.
Supporting schools and educational initiatives
Beqaa American Academy School first opened its doors in 2019 to welcome kindergarten students, then decided to expand to other grades as well. Nevertheless, many challenges hindered preparations in light of the exacerbated economic crisis that Lebanon has been witnessing. The initiative aimed at providing the necessary assistance for the school to prepare the third-grade class and equip it with the necessary tools, giving all thirty students of the second grade a chance to continue their education. The initiative is still in progress, as implementers are currently preparing more classes to host a higher number of students in the upcoming years.
Another initiative that tackles education is the “Après école” (After-School) project, which aimed at providing tutoring assistance for students of the Christian Parish of Mar Maroun – Haret Sakher in their schoolwork. The project was launched as a response to the Covid-19 outbreak that led schools to rely on online learning. Given the current economic crisis across the country, it has become harder to secure electricity and internet regularly. As a result, parents are no longer able to help their children respond in a timely manner to school assignments. Therefore, the initiative provided support for young teachers to give children after-school tutoring sessions and prevent them from failing their classes.
Food security and essential supplies
In an attempt to fight food poverty, the Lebanese House Establishment for the Environment took the initiative to organize an activity entitled "The Inclusive Environment and Living Together". They gathered families from underserved areas, including four Christian villages and five Druze villages in the Chouf Governorate.
The initiative aimed at inviting twenty families to Ouâdi Dardoûrîtin Mount Lebanon to socialize and promote reconciliation, citizenship, acceptance of others and coexistence, especially after the previous tensions between the two sects. The attendees participated in social bonding activities, then cooked meals and ate together, after which they took food parcels back home to their families.
Another initiative was carried out by Home of Hope, where current and previous members prepared meals twice a week for thirty individuals in need to reduce food poverty and promote healthy living.
Mariam’s kitchen was established in the aftermath of the Beirut Blast, as an attempt to offer aid to the individuals who were severely affected by its repercussions. Afterwards, this project expanded to involve regions from all over Lebanon. As part of the initiative, Mariam’s kitchen organized several events and activities during the holidays that included children, the elderly, parents of Beirut blast victims, and other vulnerable groups to promote social bonding and provide food parcels.
House repairs and Shelter
The initiative aimed at supporting two religious leaders from different sects in Lebanon to refurbish and rehabilitate their homes, in light of the current economic crisis. They were given a new kitchen, furniture, and other home improvement tools and supplies with the goal of consolidating cohesive social relations and aiding vulnerable individuals and families. These two religious leaders are considered prominent religious references to the people of the region and their homes are a place for meeting and dialogue.
Support for Volunteers
Beit El Diafeh is a Lebanese NGO located in Jounieh. It was established 30 years ago in an effort to help families in need. During the holiday seasons, the foundation organized different events and activities to help families, children, and the elderly enjoy Christmas. The initiative aimed at offering the necessary support for volunteers in the project to encourage their efforts and promote social welfare.
Initiatives: May - July
Psychosocial support initiative - Carla Karam:
Based on a needs-assessment, this initiative was implemented to create a safe space for groups of children and sought to enhance life and social skills while raising awareness on physical and psychological well-being.
This initiative targeted children in the community of different age groups and social backgrounds such as children at risk, people exposed to gender-based violence, females, males, and caregivers.
150 children took part in this activity which included dancing, singing, dialogue, discussions on the concept of peace, writing message of peace, and creating relevant art pieces. In addition, the initiative focused on nonviolent communication through several other activities, including: identifying the concept of violence, types of violence, safe areas for the child, and his/her physical protection. The third part that the initiative focused on was on bullying, where they watched a movie that tackled this issue, followed by a discussion and dialogue inspired from life experiences.
Every little initiative we are doing now can transform into a bigger one in the future as we believe that little things make a difference. What we need to teach our children is how to interact with a diverse world, how to embrace their community and environment, and how to find inner peace.Children are born genuine, loyal, and fair; they are also capable of listening to their needs. In addition, they have a strong sense of empathy and inter-connectedness.
Small business rehabilitation / Food security & essential supplies – DLR / Dr. ZiadFahed
Despite the difficult circumstances and difficult conditions that the country is going through, and within the framework of promoting solidarity, diversity, and human dignity,Dialogue for Life and Reconciliation, in cooperation with the Sustainable Network of Religious Leaders in the North, and with Adyan Foundation’s support, showed a gesture of solidarity towards some religious leaders so that they can continue their meetings, work, and mission, despite the difficulties, within this network. The cars of a Muslim Sheikh and a Christian priest were repaired so that they can continue their humanitarian mission.The initiative also supported families in need from different religious backgrounds.
For example, 19 food vouchers were distributed to these families by Muslim and Christian religious leaders together. Both the sheikh and the priest visited these families, and the atmosphere was very positive, as this visit remained imprinted in people’s minds, reinforcing by that the reality of living together.
Small business rehabilitation / Mariam’s Kitchen - Pere Hani Tawk
Mariam’s Kitchen, an initiative that was launched following the Beirut Blast, took it upon themselves to buy 7 sewing machines with the aim of training women from the Karantina-Medawar region in Beirut to secure their own livelihoods. The five-day training course with specialists gave them insight on how to start their own business and earn a living to support their families. In the next phase, Maryam’s Kitchen will collaborate with these women, who will sell their clothes for a symbolic amount. That way, they would be able to earn a living while providing clothing for under-privileged communities.
Through Solidarity in Action, Adyan worked with Maryam Kitchen -its partner- in Karantina Beirut, on the 28th of April 2022, to prepare a dinner for celebrating the Christian feast of Easter, an Iftar for the Ramadan Holy Month and to spread an embrace of love and happiness and solidarity especially with the families of the victims of Beirut Blast 2020.
The people targeted for this event were people in need in the Karantina area and siblings and relatives of the victims of Beirut explosion 2020.
In addition, many members of Adyan's networks, including some members of the FRSR (Forum for Religious Social Responsibility) participated in the preparation of the meals.
From We Stand with Beirut to Solidarity In Action!
With Lebanon’s deepening crisis, Adyan’s humanitarian work which started a year ago with “We Stand with Beirut” initiative will be extended under “Solidarity in Action” a project to support local & inter-communal initiatives of solidarity. This project will cover all Lebanese areas where people are suffering from the multi layered crisis, including the massive explosion in Beirut’s port, economic and financial collapse, the rising political instability, and the Covid-19 global pandemic.
Adyan’s work will be focusing on 6 priority areas:
Therefore, Adyan launched its campaign #SolidarityInAction to call on itsmembers, friends, partners, governmental and non-governmental organizations, in Lebanon and the World, to support the “Solidarity in Action” initiative, in order to be able to support the resilience and survival of the Lebanese people.
A beam of light amid the darkness!
Just before the holidays, Adyan through Solidarity in Action worked with its partners to spread joy and happiness targeting diverse communities especially children! This was possible through:
Sharing our joy with you through some photos taken by the phones of your partners:
After the Beirut Port explosion on August 4, 2020, Adyan Foundation focused all its energy to stand with people of Beirut who were affected by the blast. To this end, the We Stand With Beirut project was launched and dedicated to support people through the 7 priority areas.
One year after the blast, We Stand With Beirut has come to an end, but it is the start of a new Adyan’s journey in human solidarity. Adyan’s humanitarian work will continue though the Solidarity in Action project, which will cover all Lebanese areas where people are suffering from economic, financial and social problems.
Attached below is the final report covering all the work that has been done from August 2020 till June 2021.
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