The Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training (LOST), in partnership with Malala Fund, and under the auspices of the Minister of Education and Higher Education, Dr. Abbas Halabi launched solar energy systems in six public secondary schools in Baalbeck-Hermel as part of the “Empowering Girls through Education (EGE)” project. The initiatives were implemented to provide electricity to the schools, improve the quality of education, and contribute to solving some of the problems caused by the electricity crisis in Lebanon, thereby strengthening learning conditions and offering a better school environment for more than 4,000 students in one of the most underprivileged areas in Lebanon.
EGE project provided services of academic support and life skills training for hundreds of girls in 6 different high schools in Baalbeck-Hermel. The life skills training included psycho-social support and workshops on career guidance, self-confidence, environment, health, and leadership. They were also trained on needs assessment and participation in decision-making about community projects that address community needs.
In his speech, LOST’s founder Dr. Ramy Lakkis underscored the impact of the project on the students’ characters and their leadership skills which are highly needed to make a positive change in the community.
Under the emblem #RighttoLight, Malala Fund County Representative, Rana El-Houjeiri gave a speech in which she highlighted the kick off of the campaign on the event of 16 Days of global activism calling on all international community and Ministry of education and partners, to join forces and to embrace the “Right to light” as a fundamental right to education and a human right for every girl and student across the country.
The Minister’s speech was given by the Director General of Secondary Education, Dr. Khaled Fayed, who expressed the Ministry’s readiness to cooperate with partners who are willing to support the education sector in Lebanon.
One of the girls said, “Some of my colleagues and I were on the brink of failing the school year, and some of us were at risk of dropping out, but the project was enough to save us from all of that.”
Another said, “Thanks to this course, I gained a lot of life skills such as time management, communication, negotiations, improving the nutrition system, public speaking, and environment.”
In the course of the current academic year, girls will receive academic support, in addition to intensive courses in the English language.
