During the third cycle of the Learning and Skills Program conducted by the Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training (LOST), which aims to strengthen youth and prepare them for their future, youth from the Youth-Led Initiatives (YLI), with the support of UNICEF, made some contributions that respond to the local developmental needs in several areas in Baalbeck-Hermel.
In Hermel and Ras Baalbeck, the youth were able to install new gym equipment at two gyms, which will encourage community members to stay active. In addition, youth were able to organize sport tournaments at four local gyms in Baalbeck. In Hawsh Tal Safiyye, a successful distribution of four picnic tables and twelve concrete benches took place at a public garden and a local church.
Due to the shortage of garbage bins in Brital and Hawsh Al Nabi, youth contributed in attaching several garbage bins to the light posts. In addition, youth in Bouday village distributed seven waste containers in several neighborhoods. These initiatives will definitely help reduce the amount of trash on the streets, and will maintain the cleanliness of the villages.
On to Beit Chema, youth distributed 548 ball cocks, which will be distributed to local residents, in an effort to prevent the overflow of water. This is especially essential to conserve water and will assist in alleviating the current water crisis. In an attempt to conserve water in Douris, youth, in partnership with AVSI organization, worked on constructing a drip irrigation system at a local garden. This concept is efficient as it delivers low volumes of water directly to plants’ roots, minimizing losses to wind, runoff, evaporation, or overspray.
Moreover, in Fekha, the youth installed a solar panel, which will assist in preserving the environment, while also providing electrical power whenever there is no electricity. In addition, youth distributed fifteen light poles in the streets of Tarayya. This initiative is especially important to prevent road accidents, and to maintain the safety of local residents.
Another way of maintaining the safety of local residents was a contribution to the construction of a support wall on the main road of the village of Ksarnaba. The initiative was a youth effort to prevent soil erosion on the road, which plays a huge role in decreasing road accidents. In Nabi Chit, youth supported the villages’ roads with 250 cat eyes, which are safety devices that can lessen road accidents.
In the light of the activities mentioned above, youth were given the opportunity by LOST and UNICEF to strengthen their abilities, and to become more engaged in social and developmental work in their areas. These initiatives also assisted in maintaining the safety of local residents, as well as the cleanliness of streets. The acquired skills obtained through these activities will enable youth to serve the needs of their communities in the future, in cooperation with municipalities.