Hope shines a light in the darkness. It’s infectious, even healing. But what is there to be hopeful for? Let’s look at the year ahead with 19 reasons to have hope in 2019 — and how to pray them into reality.
Why World Vision is in Lebanon
The Syrian refugee crisis is greatly impacting neighboring countries. By the end of 2017, nearly 1 million Syrian refugees were registered in Lebanon. At the end of the summer the Lebanese army declared a victory against ISIS on their northeast border, but the fighting continues and the region is still unsafe. This volatility threatens the well-being of Lebanese children as well as the Syrian refugee children who have come seeking shelter. After decades of advocacy from women’s rights groups, this year Lebanon joined other Middle Eastern countries by standing up for victims. They overturned a law, no longer allowing a rapist to escape punishment as long as he married his victim. Your support is helping us serve both Lebanese and Syrian people in need. Children are flourishing even amid difficulties. We’re treating preventable illnesses and diseases and making clean water and sanitation accessible. And child protection programs are addressing advocacy and emergency situations for the most vulnerable children. Together, we’re removing barriers to kids’ education and giving communities sustainable and long-term food security opportunities—so they can break the cycle of poverty.
We never give up on people
World Vision child sponsorship looks at all the things that prevent children from surviving and thriving in their community, and then works with that community to bring all the pieces of the puzzle together to build a better life for all children. For sponsors, it’s a personal way to show God’s love to a child in need in a life-changing way.
Sponsor a child in Lebanon ❯
Progress in Lebanon
Thanks to the generous support of donors, we’re making great progress toward the well-being of children and their families.
Child Protection and Care
Boys and girls are safe and valued, well cared for by their families, and participating in their communities as agents of transformation.
- Active Parenting skills workshops in Lebanon, which support child protection and awareness, give parents and caregivers skills and knowledge on positive discipline and non-violent communication, and the tools to address and report child protection issues in their communities.
- Children in Lebanon participated in child protection awareness activities, which aimed to increase awareness on child protection, including a marathon, child rights competition, plays, as well as sessions about disaster risk reduction.
Healthy Children and Families
Children and families are well nourished, protected from infection and disease, and have access to essential health services.
- In order to raise awareness on important water and sanitation issues in Lebanon, Mother Action Groups (MAGs) were mobilized and trained to disseminate hygiene promotion messages in their communities through door-to-door visits, and in schools through puppet shows.
- Children in Lebanon were taught about the 5 critical times for hand washing. A study on the relationship between hand washing and attendance at hygiene promotion programs showed that children who received information about disease transmission were over 4 times more likely to report good hand washing practices compared those who did not receive hygiene and disease transmission information.
Education for Better Lives
Children have opportunities to learn and to develop their talents, young people are equipped for the future, and families and communities support children's education.
- Through a collaboration with teachers and school staff in Lebanon, lessons that taught conflict resolution and communication skills were worked into their curriculum. This also included how to manage anger and frustration in a positive way. Children also learned how to foster good relationships with teachers, parents and peers from different ethnic, social, and religious backgrounds.
Prayer Requests from Lebanon
World Vision's staff in Lebanon are asking us to join them in prayer for the following:
God to preserve the unity of families, the innocence of children, and the courage of parents for the thousands of refugees who now call Lebanon home.
God to protect children from abuse, neglect, and violence and heal those suffering from disease and illness.
News from Lebanon
From the Field
Syrian refugee crisis: Facts, FAQs, and how to help
Now in its eighth year, the Syrian refugee crisis is the largest refugee and displacement crisis of our time. Because of the Syrian civil war, 5.6 million people have fled Syria as refugees, putting a strain on the region’s ability to cope, and another 6.2 million people are displaced within Syria.
From the Field
Life frames: Overcoming obstacles
Sometimes trying to show people’s resilience in a photo requires a little bit of grit and a whole lot of luck for the photographer. Learn the story behind this photograph by World Vision photographer Laura Reinhardt.
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