A new website for Lebanon Trust

In January we launched a completely new and redesigned website. You can now search for what interests you, subscribe to our RSS feed, like us on Facebook, flip through our Frequently Asked Questions, read our blog, comment on the news and subscribe. Of course, your feedback is more than welcome: you can use our new contact page. Enjoy!

Lebanon Trust has been registered with the new Charities Regulatory Authority of Ireland

The Republic of Ireland has created a body to oversee Charities and ensure transparency on their activities. Lebanon Trust’s application has been accepted, and its details now appear on the Charities Regulatory Authority’s official register: on this page (opens another tab).

Our friends have displayed their courage by braving the waves on Christmas day. Special thanks to Mike Shea, Michael Conway and Chelsea Conway who raised over €400 for Lebanon Trust – and our gratitude to all those who sold cards.

November 2015: our volunteers are back from Lebanon

Lebanon Trust Chairman Christy Kinsella delivers the financing for the school bus and classroom heating to FAID

Two young deaf pupils at FAID, refugees from Syria

Two volunteers at work at FAID.

Some of FAID’s deaf pupils, in their school uniforms, during recess.

Lebanon Trust made a donation to the kindergarten of the Burj el Shemali refugee camp, Tyre

Lebanon Trust volunteers deliver their donation to the Chatila kindergarten head teacher Mariam, in the refugee camp

A refugee child at play. The kindergartens are an oasis of calm and safety in the overcrowded refugee camps.

The Chatila kindergarten has a small playground on the roof, the only available space in the refugee camp; the children love it

In November 2015 Lebanon Trust’s volunteers again travelled to Lebanon for their work in support of the Father Andeweg Institute for the Deaf in Beirut and of two kindergartens for refugee children, in the refugee camp of Chatila in Beirut and in the camp of Burj el Shemali in Tyre, in the South of Lebanon. The total amount donated in 2015 slightly exceeded last year’s.

Lebanon is in a critical situation due to the war in neighbouring Syria. Refugees make up one in four of the population, the highest proportion in the world. The UN Refugee Agency has a 50% funding shortfall ahead of winter. Violence spilling from across the border creates a volatile environment. During our stay, nearly 50 people lost their lives in a twin suicide bomb attack in Beirut.

Our volunteers’ mobility was partly curtailed for security reasons.

A brief summary of our results in 2015:

• The Father Andeweg Institute for the Deaf (FAID) in Beirut: one year’s worth of funding for the school bus, the electricity generator and the classrooms’ heating. Total: $ 8000.
• Kindergarten of the Chatila refugee camp in Beirut: on-going financial support for books and educational material, $ 3000
• Kindergarten of the Burj el Shemali refugee camp in Tyre: on-going financial support for books and educational material, $ 1000
• Partial re-painting of the school’s external walls; general building maintenance work; pruning of all trees, removal of dead or dangerous branches and plants. Clean-up of the playground, garden, courtyard, outside perimeter. Painting of windows, handrails, roof gutters, external doors and gates. The tools and material have been purchased by Lebanon Trust, and the work carried out by the volunteers themselves and by local staff paid by Lebanon Trust: total $ 800
• Evaluation of the work done by FAID and discussion of their plans and needs; meetings with their management (Director and Board), with the staff and pupils; further definition of our mode of collaboration
• Field visit to the Chatila refugee camp in Beirut and its kindergarten; inspection of classrooms, roof playground and educational material financed by Lebanon Trust, meeting with the teachers, the children and the schoolmaster
• Field visit to the Burj el Shemali refugee camp in Tyre and its kindergarten; inspection of new and refurbished classrooms and playground; meetings with pupils, teachers and head teacher; detailed discussion about their needs and plans.

For the eighth consecutive year, in 2015 we worked at the Father Andeweg Institute for the Deaf (FAID) in Beirut. Last year’s changes in the school management have yielded very positive results. Staff members are motivated, new initiatives are undertaken, the school premises are well kept and there are many ideas, of course limited by the very scarce resources available to the school.

The school hosts many Syrian refugee children, referred by the government. Many of them are traumatised by war and violence, and the youngest have never attended school, having come of age during the war. Despite this, at FAID they learn and progress, however slowly, thanks to a safe environment where they find warmth and friendship. The school provides them with hearing aids and individual therapy free of charge.

The Chatila refugee camp in Beirut hosts hundreds of families from Syria and is now overwhelmingly crowded. The Burj el Shemali camp in the historical city of Tyre hosts many Syrian refugees as well, mostly of Palestinian origin, in addition to its original population. The camp kindergartens that we support strive to offer a haven of calm, order and safety to their pupils despite these extremely difficult conditions. The Burj el Shemali kindergarten recently managed to build a new classroom in the tiny space it has at its disposal, and refurbished its small playground. The children learn reading and writing in Arabic and English. The teachers are extremely motivated, active and welcoming; they make the most of the limited resources they have. This is very encouraging for us and, we believe, for our donors as well.

Lebanon Trust donated toys, colouring books, pens, balls, etc. to the kindergarten and a total of $ 4’000 for additional educational material.

Our special thanks to:

Maria Cristina Ferraro (Genoa, Italy);
Martina Merkle (Zurich, Switzerland);
Robert Sumner & Silvan Scheller (Zurich, Switzerland);
Fam. Prola-Smith (London, UK);
Kathleen O’Hare (Cork, Irlanda);
Ole Vossnack (Zurich, Switzerland);
Alessandro Bertolotto (Genoa, Italy) ;
Natale e Carla Ferraro (Genoa, Italy);
Giovanna Pellegrini (Genoa, Italy);
Fam Zappavigna (Marina di Massa, Italy);
Romilda e Nino Cocurullo (Genoa, Italy);
Catherine Poeydomenge & Adrian Ruf (Zurich, Switzerland);
Marisa e Angelo Spineto (Busalla, GE, Italy);
Fam. Della Penna (Genoa, Italy);
Fam. Parodi (Genoa, Italy);
Enrico e Lilli Bertolotto (Genoa, Italy);
Fam. Buda (Genoa, Italy);
Fam Ricci (Arquata Scrivia, AL, Italy);
Silvana Falaschini Margotti (Livorno, Italy);
Maria Pia Porta (Genoa, Italy);
The organisers and attendees of the “Giardino Segreto” literary evenings in Arquata Scrivia (AL, Italy);
Paolo Piva (Paris, France);
Fam. Smith (Genoa, Italy);
Fam. Marsi (Arquata Scrivia, AL, Italy);
Ugo Serra (Genoa, Italy);
Fam. Spineto (Arquata Scrivia, AL, Italy);
Fam. Robotti (Arquata Scrivia, AL, Italy);
Sig.ra Pessino (Arquata Scrivia, AL, Italy);
Sig.ra Agostini (Arquata Scrivia, AL, Italy);
Patsy Graham, volunteer (Brooklawn, Lisnagry, Co Limerick);
Joe Fitzgerald, volunteer (Tralee);
Symantec Corporation Limited (Dublin); and, in particular, Annette Dempsey, Paula Dunphy, Jayne Delahunt and Mick Halpin who, with their colleagues, have given tremendous support over the years;
Staff, Committee and customers at St Peregrines GAA Club, Blanchardstown (Dublin);
The Castle Bar (Tralee);
Linnane’s Bar (Tralee);
Niall Nolan of Nolan’s Garage (Tralee);
Dunnes Stores (Tralee);
Alan Conway, Con Bailey, Paddy Powers Bookmakers (Tralee);
Noel O’Connor, Adams garage (Tralee);
Boylesports (Tralee);
John Fitzgerald (Tralee);
Sean P. Moran (Tralee);
Liam and Gillian Loughnane (Tralee);
Johnny Murphy (Dublin);
Mark Teahan, Tralee Printing Works Ltd;
Catherine Robinson;
St. Patrick’s Day Care Centre (Tralee);
Catherine Roche & family (Tralee);
Margaret Bell & family (Tralee);
Norman Foley (Tralee);
Kieran Griffin, Counihan’s Shop (Tralee);
Sean McCord, Aqua Dome (Tralee);
All street collectors in Tralee;
Michael Conway (Tralee);
Aisling Conway, Sean Taaffe (Tralee);
Amy Conway, Hilsers Jewellers (Tralee);
Alan Conway, Meadowlands Hotel (Tralee);
George & Brenda and the CIE Social Welfare Club (Tralee);
Collins family (Tralee);
Kerins O’Rahilly’s GAA Club (Tralee);
Jim & Theresa, Cassidy’s Restaurant (Tralee);
Brogue Inn Restaurant (Tralee);
Rays in Rock Street (Tralee);
The Roast House (Tralee);
An Teach Beag (Tralee);
John Dowling Sports (Tralee);
Henneberys Sports Shop (Tralee);
Moran Food Store, Strand Street (Tralee);
Billy O’Leary, Spa Road (Tralee);
McCormack’s Cycle Centre, Dorset Street Lower (Dublin);
Eddy McHugh’s Shop, Greenhills (Dublin);
O’Neill’s House of Sport, Walkinstown (Dublin);
Paul Reid Dental Laboratories (Dublin);
Pat Stafford of Stafford Engineering (Dublin);
Stephen McGuire (Dublin);
Nipper Kelly, Greenhills (Dublin);
Dine Allen (Dublin);
Big Mick (Dublin);
The Cherry Tree Pub (Dublin);
The Pines Club (Dublin);
Laurels Pub (Dublin);
Rialto Pub (Dublin);
Johnnie Sheen (Dublin);
Mark Raymond Tiling (Dublin);
Griffin Digital Print (Dublin), who have helped us tremendously over the years;
Paul Murphy (Dublin);
Sean Horace (Dublin);
Hanno, Eugene, Bock, Noel, Kazimierz (Dublin);
Dorin, Liam, Brendan (Dublin);
Lilliput Stores (Dublin);
Patrick, Gogs, Daridcullen, Catherine (Dublin);
Jo Kelly (Dublin);
Dogget (Dublin);
A. Douglas (Dublin);
M. Mulvey (Dublin).

October 2015: Lebanon Trust volunteers are getting ready for another supporting trip to Lebanon

At the end of the month we are going to Lebanon again. We will have new volunteers and much work to do. Fundraising is under way! Many, many thanks to all who help us with their time and generosity.

October 10th, 2015: Quiz Night in Tralee, in favour of Lebanon Trust

Friday 10th of October, 8.30 pm: Castle Bar, Rock Street, Tralee – Quiz Night, with spot prizes on the night & free finger food – all welcome for an evening of fun! Teams of 4, EUR 40 per team. Contact Noel Conway for details (087 7562436, noel.conway@yahoo.ie).

August-September 2015: fine writing and history for Lebanon Trust

Maria Cristina Ferraro’s latest book, “Dal contado alla città: la trasformazione di una famiglia contadina tra l’800 e il ‘900” (in Italian) is a success among its many readers, fascinated by the story, charmed by the style and intrigued by the many original illustrations and old photographs.

The author, with extraordinary generosity, donates all proceeds to Lebanon Trust’s projects.

A huge, heartfelt thank you from the officers and volunteers of Lebanon Trust.

July 2015: a very successful fundraising in Dublin

A car boot sale and a cake sale organised by our Chairman Christy have raised more than EUR 1300 for Lebanon Trust’s projects. A very big THANK YOU to all the friends whose help & generosity made this happen. You are fantastic!

A large fundraising drive will take place in Tralee, Ireland, on Saturday, June 14th. A big “thank you” to all who are going to help and to contribute! For more information, please contact Noel at noel.conway@yahoo.ie .

On Saturday June 30th, our Chairman Christy Kinsella will participate in a car boot sale at St. Peregrines GAA Club, Blakestown Road, Dublin 15 – all proceeds in favour of Lebanon Trust. Curios, collector’s items, household items, all kind of things – there’s something for everyone!

May 2015: Lebanon Trust features in an Irish radio documentary

Kathy O’Hare, organiser of the “Cork to Shatila” initiative, developed and produced a documentary for University College Cork Radio (UCC98.3FM), in cooperation with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. The four-part documentary – broadcast on May 1st – explores political and social issues affecting refugees in Lebanon. Lebanon Trust officers were interviewed, and explained about the Charity’s work and projects (second half of Part 2 of the documentary; minute 13:55): listen to it here (opens in a new tab).

Listen to the complete documentary here:

Many thanks to Kathy!

December 2014: what we did this year in Lebanon

Again this year Lebanon Trust volunteers went to Lebanon to work at the Father Andeweg Institute for the Deaf (FAID) in Beirut and to deliver financial support to the kindergarten of the refugee camp of Chatila, in Beirut. The total amount donated to these institutions slightly exceeded last year’s.

The situation facing our volunteers this year was even more difficult than in 2013. Atrocities and war from neighbouring Syria spill across the border to Lebanon, creating a very volatile climate. The city of Tripoli, in the north of the country, is locked in conflict. Syrian refugees now represent more than one-quarter of the total population of Lebanon, causing friction with both Lebanese and Palestinian residents.

Our volunteers’ mobility was curtailed for security reasons.

This is a summary of our achievements in 2014:

• Funding for 1 year of speech therapy for the students of the Father Andeweg Institute for the Deaf (FAID) in Beirut. The speech therapist teaches them how to speak and lip-read, giving them the chance to communicate with the wider world and build an independent life. Total: $ 8000
• Ongoing financial support to the kindergarten of the refugee camp of Chatila in Beirut: $ 3000
• Evaluation of the work done by the Institutions we support and discussion of their plans and needs; meetings with FAID’s new management (President of the Board, Treasurer, Director), with the staff and pupils; further definition of our mode of collaboration
• Field visit to the Chatila refugee camp in Beirut and its kindergarten, meeting with the teachers and the children; inspection of the electricity generator premises, financed last year by Lebanon Trust
• Refurbishment, painting, maintenance, reconstruction work at the premises of the Father Andeweg Institute for the Deaf: girls’ dormitory, parent-teacher conference room, teachers’ office, including windows and doors; maintenance of playground, garden, courtyard, outside perimeter; pruning of all trees, removal of dead or dangerous branches and plants. The tools and material have been purchased by Lebanon Trust, and the work carried out by the volunteers themselves and by local staff paid by Lebanon Trust: $ 560.
• Organisation of a visit to FAID by a 10-person delegation from the Symantec Corporation’s Beirut office; the company will help upgrade the school’s computer infrastructure.

As every year, our donors will receive a detailed financial report.

November 2014: back from Lebanon – many heartfelt thanks to all our friends and supporters

We’re just back from our supporting trip to Lebanon, and would like to thank very much those who have helped us:

October 2014: Our volunteers are in Lebanon

Also this year our volunteers have travelled to Lebanon to deliver the donations to the Institutions we support, and to work at the Father Anderweg Institute for the Deaf. Many thanks to our donors and supporters for their generosity. A detailed report will be sent to all upon return. Stay tuned.

September 20th, 2014: A night of music and craic in favour of Lebanon Trust

Saturday 20th of September, 8 pm till late, at St. Peregrines GAA Club, Blakestown Road, Dublin 15: featuring live on stage Tarantella Fall, blending their own music with some special covers! Plus up-and-coming singer song writer Maurice Byrne.

Raffle with loads of prizes and auction

And much more!!!!

Admission FREE