21 Oct 2024 | Updated 11 Dec 2024
Khalsa Aid International carried out an aid mission to Lebanon in June 2019, as part of their project to support Syrian refugee children. The main purpose of this trip was to meet with agencies that co-ordinate Khalsa Aid’s activities, monitor the projects and find further ways to provide additional support.
Khalsa Aid International has been dedicated to supporting the refugees by providing food, shelter, accommodation and education, as well as mobility aids for disabled people. With 1.5 million Syrian refugees residing in Lebanon, due to the ongoing conflict in Syria, this has become an essential support program. It enables children to attend school 5 days a week, giving children and their families hope for a better future.
A major focus has been on enabling children to attend school and get a substantial education, helping to create opportunities for them in the future. Khalsa Aid International has committed to long-term education projects for children living in camps, employing two experienced full-time teachers as well as providing funding, text books and stationary materials.
The first day included a visit to Jusoor School in Beirut. This is on the third floor of a neglected building in a deprived neighbourhood with basic, but well decorated and comfortable classrooms. The teachers that have been recruited were clearly enthusiastic and passionate about their roles, engaging well with the children who were clearly enjoying their education. For these children, school is a welcome escape from the challenges they face outside. Without this opportunity, they would be begging on the streets, or working.
The second day saw a visit to the Beqaa Valley on the Syrian border, which is home to tens of thousands of refugees. The camps are made from tarpaulin sheets placed over metal poles or wooden structures. The school Khalsa Aid International is supporting is made to provide the most positive, stimulating learning environment possible. A large part of this is due to the staff, who are Syrian refugees themselves, working hard to make it an enjoyable and happy place. Khalsa Aid International supports a breakfast program at this school, providing nutritious and healthy breakfasts for the children.
This trip was essential, enabling Khalsa Aid International to continue to improve the success of this large project, providing supportive learning environments for countless children.
For most children, the meal provided by Khalsa Aid International will be the only meal they get each day, making sure they have nutrition to help them learn and stop them being hungry during the day. During this trip, Khalsa Aid trustees worked with the school’s principal to help prepare and serve meals, as well as listing stationary requirements and purchasing them for the 300 or so school pupils for the coming term.
Meeting with the assistant principal, it became clear that he was also studying computer science and a web development course through Udacity. The conversation moved onto SAS Certified Young Professionals, which enables university students to get access to software for learning, training materials and exam certifications for free. The assistant principal was very interested in this opportunity, explaining that he would consider this after completing his Udacity course and that his student friends would also be interested.
Finally, there was a discussion about another potential project in Lebanon which would involve supporting a school for children with special needs. The ongoing work by Khalsa Aid International in Lebanon is vital, creating lifelong opportunities for children and enabling communities to thrive, even in difficult circumstances.