New clothing, educational supplies brighten the lives of 1,500 sponsored children in post-war southern Lebanon.

July 23, 2007

By Jessy Chahine - Lebanon Communications Officer

"They're here! They're here! Mother, they're here!" a little boy cries as he runs into his house, a menagerie of tin sheeting, carton boxes, and dried branches. He reappears a few seconds later with his mother, brother, and sister in hand.

Enthusiastic 4-year-old Izzeddine Ahmad is a World Vision-sponsored child who lives with his parents and 10 brothers and sisters in the village of Wazzani, in Lebanon's Marjeyoun district. During the 2006 summer conflict, this 32-village district in southern Lebanon sustained heavy damages.

Izzeddine's excitement is generated by the arrival of World Vision staff. They are bringing two $30 coupons for him and his two siblings, Iman, 10, and Mohammad, 2, who are also sponsored. One is for new clothing; the other for stationary supplies. The three are among 1,500 youth registered in World Vision's Marjeyoun sponsorship area who've received the vouchers, provided by a generous $170,000 Johnson & Johnson grant.

Wages of War

As a result of last summer's conflict, many parents in Lebanon lost their jobs or had their wages cut in half. According to a World Vision survey conducted after the war, the primary wage earners for 2,000 of 12,000 sponsored children in the country had lost their jobs; consequently, buying clothing and stationary supplies for children is a particular hardship for many families.

It's just one more reason why Izzeddine's joy is so palpable.

Fields of Death

"Izzeddine woke up this morning at 6 a.m., got all dressed up by himself, woke me up and his brother and sister, and asked us to get ready to go buy new clothes," says his mother, Mariam. "He's so excited about it."

Ali, Izzeddine's father, casts a tender look toward his son. "He's always been like that … excited about anything and everything." An organic farmer, Ali says he has strived to raise a happy family, despite the financial difficulties that haunt him daily.

"I have been displaced from my house twice: during the 1977 war as well as during the recent war. During the last war, we escaped to Bekaa, and after that, when we returned, I couldn't find a job for several months, since all fields were practically filled with explosives," he recalls.

"Yet, through it all, despite those nights when my children did not have anything to eat, except water and sugar, through it all, I raised them on love, understanding, and — love. I made sure that they won't even hurt a fly."

Sponsorship's Added Joy

It's that love and understanding, coupled with World Vision aid, Ali says, that easily make up for the family's modest means.

"We are poor, true, but we're a happy family … I can see even more happiness in my children's eyes when they're back from a World Vision activity," he says. "World Vision has already given us heating fuel, and now is going to help us buy some clothing for our children."

In a tiny house, with its roof of thick, dry dirt, the Ahmeds and their 10 children sleep in a cramped room that contains worn mattresses spread across the floor. A small stack of old clothing — the family's "closet" — is piled at one end of the narrow space.

Our Children 'Smile Again'

As the four leave their home to go shopping, 10-year-old Iman begins planning what she will buy with her vouchers. "I need a new veil and a new pair of pants," she says. "But with my coupon, I'm going to also buy some things for my other brother and sister who did not get any coupons. I never forget about them."

Once they reach a small stationary store in the nearby village of Jdeideh, Mariam has a hard time containing Izzeddine's joy — he darts around the shop like an arrow, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Hold on, now, you can't buy the whole shop!" Mariam says to her son.

"You know, we are so grateful to you, World Vision, for helping our children to smile again. You have no idea how they need it, especially the children of the south. Our children were deeply affected by the war. Thank you!"

Little Izzeddine clearly echoes his mother's sentiments. "Yes! Thank you! Thank you!" he shouts.