COMMUNITY SERVICES

Two Hostels in Beirut offer low-cost accommodation for 100 young women who are away from their home, while they study or work in the city.


Five day care Centers in Chiyah, Hadath and Marjeyoun ensure motherly attention for 300 children, from one month to three years, who are either orphaned or both of whose parents work for a living. They are taken in for three consecutive years during which they are prepared for elementary education at fees that are reasonable. Financial assistance for needy students is provided through local contributions.

Sewing Workshops at Beirut, Bauchrieh, Hadath, Ablah and Tripoli provide work for war widows and older women who have lost the main family supporter through death or incapacitation and who, with no previous skills-training and due to the limitations of age, are not qualified for employment. They get on the job training in sewing, embroidery and knitwear. As such, they learn to earn in support of their families while the marketing is ensured through the association.

Home Industries have been revived in Tyre, Ablah and Tripoli to preserve traditional products and furnish village women with an opportunity to supplement family income. These range from the production of orange blossom water, sherbets, and home made jams, to making natural soap, preserving vine leaves and drying fruits in season. Here again, these products are marketed by the volunteers at annual bazaars and at membership gatherings.

Camps for some 300 disadvantaged children, during the summer months, are planned and carried out by teams of volunteers who design attractive programs and provide nutritional supplements.

Orphan Sponsorship at Hadath has received support from SCF of the United Kingdom, and through the auspices of YWCA volunteers who collect clothes and funds for 30 orphans living in the custody of relatives. This humble form of assistance ensures their basic living and schooling needs while keeping them within the security of their extended families.


 © Lebanon YWCA 2002