Lebanon

Six new projects have been implemented as a series of new interrelated community development projects. Scholars volunteering in the Community Support Program now benefit from improved and expanded opportunities.

These projects were chosen based on the following criteria: a lack of need for financing or project managers, the strengths and skills of Ruwwad Scholars, expected degree of social impact and the needs of the local community.

Nagham Choir is a project funded by Bfz and implemented by Fayha’a choir in partnership with Ruwwad Al Tanmeya. The project, which started in March 2019, created a special relationship between singers (mainly recruited from Bab Al Tebbeneh and Jabal Mohsen neighborhoods)– as it increased social cohesion between habitants of these two neighborhoods. Under this project, 238 participants took part in auditions, with 73 being selected for participation in the choir.

The founder of "Ruwwad Al Tanmya", Fadi Ghandour, opened the forum on the campus of the American University of Beirut in collaboration with Saint Joseph University. Several local and international associations participated, all working to integrate communities in Lebanon and engage young people.

Every year, Ruwwad’s children await the winter camp to be part of all the enriching activities. Basing all activities on the methodology of inquiry-based learning, this year, 130 children enjoyed music, sports and theater work and activities.

Many of the beneficiaries who have been participating in Ruwwad’s Child Development program from an early age have now grown and evolved. A new adolescents component was created to meet their needs and maintain the valuable relationship developed over the years.

Woodwork, coloring, painting and creative writing were the main activities of the summer camp, which involved 90 of Ruwwad’s children. Ruwwad’s Day and Graduation 2018 showcased the children’s artwork.

In September Ruwwad held its second-ever graduation ceremony for the 38 Scholars who graduated in the 2016-17 and 2017-18 academic years.

In a period of six months, the women of Atayeb Tarablus kitchen succeeded in generating revenue of 70,475 USD, which was used to support ongoing projects and activities, create new opportunities for growth and provide supplemental income for women seeking to overcome marginalization and support their dependents.

For the first time, Ruwwad youth scholars benefitted from art, music and theater training. Manuals were developed for each of the trainings, detailing activities, design and implementation, providing Ruwwad with an invaluable resource going forward. The music trainings were conducted in partnership with Sounds of Change: theater with Hashem Kabreet and Abdalla Jatal and art with Iman Nawaya.

In preparation for 2018’s PISCCA program launch, 135 applications were accepted, to which 38 old PISCCA beneficiaries were added, reaching a total of 173 youth who will be receiving ICT training, and English and French language classes throughout this year.