Heart for Lebanon was founded in 2006 and is a faith based ministry that adapts a holistic approach to serving unconditionally the marginalized, rejected and under resourced people in Lebanon.
Rather unique among the relief work done in Lebanon, the organization methodology is a unique strategy to provide Family Care, Education, Relational Engagement and Spiritual Formation.
Family Care takes the form of life sustaining items to address the needs of all the targeted family members.
Education involves non-formal educational programs for the children. Children at Risk is a program developed by Heart for Lebanon to address the educational as well as spiritual needs of children at risk through the H.O.P.E. (Helping Overcome Poverty through Education) Educational Programs where children can learn basic Arabic, English, Sciences and Math, in addition to character development lessons based on biblical principles. This non-formal education substitutes in some aspects school curricula as many Syrian refugee children in Lebanon are still without access to education.
Hope on Wheels program offers the children in camps a safe environment to play and enjoy themselves like all their peers, as the notion of simply being children was taken from them. Children also learn about religious principles through a fun course, reading and writing classes are organized on spot. It is also an entertaining experience for children in tent communities and breaks the hardship of being a child and a refugee in a tent.
These programs include Syrians coming from families of a variety of ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds that have found themselves as refugees of war and conflict in their homeland, and who are suffering discrimination, marginalization, and extreme poverty.
In general, relational relief comes second after family care and education. Once the targeted family has been given practical care in the form of basic goods, the work moves to another level, that of addressing the emotional and spiritual needs through regular home visits, monthly programs and children's activities. When a trustful relationship has been established, deeper conversations can begin that lead the individuals and families into a deeper and a long term level of self sustainability, both spiritually and vocationally.
The unique approach to holistic care normally takes between 11 to 13 months helping people move "From despair to hope". As the majority of the under-resourced families in Lebanon are women and children, there are specific programs for women, notably those who have become the sole provider for their families.
The organization supports both Christians and Muslims, through the holistic care initiative serving 2,100 families every month, in addition to specific programs tailored for women. Time is spent listening to their problems and needs, especially that some of them are traumatized after escaping from terrorist attacks.
The organization publishes stories of hope and change so supporters would be informed of the impact of their donations.
