Joy Is Spread among Lebanese and Syrian Youth by the Means of German Donations
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others,” Ghandi once said. Looking at Lebanese and Syrian youth working and enjoying their time together, one instantly retrieves such a saying and understands its true essence.
Originating from a humanitarian drive, a group of 25 Lebanese youth attending Peace-education (PEW) trainings offered by LOST in cooperation with UNICEF at LOST Baalbeck organized a mini fund-raising event for the purpose of purchasing presents for their fellow Syrian colleagues.
Two days earlier to a merged training activity, the 25 Lebanese beneficiaries made some toothsome homemade sweets (muffins, fruit chopsticks, custard and jelly) and sold them in a somehow considered fund-raising activity. The revenue collected was almost equivalent to 100$. With this sum of money, a varied amount of presents were bought by the Lebanese beneficiaries.
Nada Amhaz, a 17 year-old Lebanese beneficiary explained the process in which the presents were chosen to be distributed over the Syrian beneficiaries. “We wanted to surprise our Syrian colleagues, so in an indirect way, we figured out the sort of presents which interests them, and on that basis the purchase was done,” she said. “We were determined to get the largest possible number of gifts; it was as if we were playing Santa Clause! I wouldn’t have felt this happy even if the presents were mine!” she added.
The merge activity was carried out as a Talent Show, at Al Bayan School, in the presence of 50 Lebanese and Syrian beneficiaries, in which beneficiaries sang, danced and drew paintings altogether, followed by the distribution of the presents. Barbie dolls, cars, tennis rackets, coloring and reading books were distributed over the 25 (aged 14 to 15) Syrian beneficiaries, alongside with delicious treats. The beneficiaries found out that there was still a decent number of gifts left, so they instantly came up with a suggestion to deliver these gifts to a nearby Syrian refugee informal settlement.
The beneficiaries headed by bus to the Douris- Balkigian camp where they distributed the remaining gifts. “The surprise on the children’s faces was indescribable! They gathered around us in circles and, in minutes, all the gifts were placed in the right hands,” noted Nada. At the end of the day a total of 60 presents were distributed, which means 25 people have succeeded to target 60 people, almost triple their sum! Knowing that these presents would also be shared with siblings as well, “it really brought us a sense of accomplishment,” commented Ali.
In addition to the known goals of lessening social cohesion, enhancing educational levels of beneficiaries and providing employment opportunities, the engagement of Lebanese and Syrian youth in such trainings and activities molds their personalities into confident, educated and modernized future people who constitute the ground base for more developed and peaceful communities. It keeps their humanitarian side alive deep within, in today’s savage jungle where the race for wealth, money and power is brutal. Thus, the continuity of these trainings is essential for a complete transfer and instilling of the acquired traits and skills into youth’s characters. This continuity would only be guaranteed by the unremitting support of UNICEF and its German donors who have proved to be trustworthy and supportive in times of war and peace.
Genuine giving isn’t measured by quantity, quality or nature; it is measured by how much love is put into it. It is the heart that does the giving, and the fingers only let go!