PRESS RELEASES
USAID Presents $190,000 to Four Lebanese Organizations
07 February 2005
U.S. Charge d'Affaires Christopher W. Murray and United States
Agency for International Development (USAID)/Lebanon Mission Director
Raouf Youssef presented on February 7, 2005, $190,000 to four Lebanese
organizations working in the fields of charity, special education,
orphan care and vocational training.
In a ceremony held at the U.S. Embassy in Awkar, Mr. Murray noted
that the funds would support the efforts of organizations "to
provide health care for families who can't afford it, education
and training for children without voices to fight for it, and equipment
and materials to create home and community for children without
families to provide it." Mr. Murray also noted that the U.S.
Government's support to these organizations - through USAID's Small
Grants Program -- "underscores the importance that Americans
accord to the efforts of communities to improve the lives of their
members."
USAID granted funds to the following organizations:
1) $50,000 to the Zuayter Charitable Association to establish a
low cost health care center to serve 100 low-income individuals
per month from Baalback and ten surrounding villages in the Beqaa
area. The center provides services in family health, gynecology,
ophthalmology and dentistry.
2) $50,000 to Aita Chaab School for Children with Special Needs
to purchase equipment and classroom materials. The only school in
South Lebanon to offer education and skills training, the grant
will help support 60 children with special needs from the areas
of Aita Chaab, Debel, Rmeish, Ramia and Ain Ebel.
3) $50, 000 to Saint Michael School and Orphanage to purchase computers,
kitchen materials, an electric generator, and audio-visual and classroom
equipment. The school is located in Mradieh in Keserwan, and provides
education to 160 orphaned boys and girls from all Lebanon.
4) $40,000 to Father Afif Osseiran Foundation to develop training
in car mechanics and to purchase furniture for the dormitory section.
The foundation, located in Fanar, provides free vocational training
to 150 young boys in the fields of car mechanics, electricity and
welding.
For more information about USAID's projects in Lebanon, please
visit its web site www.usaidlebanon.org.lb.
Following are remarks delivered by Charge d'Affaires Christopher
W. Murray:
I'm pleased to welcome you to the U.S. Embassy this morning. Today's
event is one that gives me great personal satisfaction, and reinforces
my pride in being the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon.
Today, I will give you-the representatives of four Lebanese community
organizations-USAID small grant funds to support the very worthy
and important work you are carrying out to improve the lives of
some of Lebanon's most vulnerable citizens-children with special
needs, orphans, and families with meager incomes. These funds will
support your efforts to provide health care for families who can't
afford it, education and training for children without voices to
fight for it, and equipment and materials to create home and community
for children without families to provide it.
The U.S. Government's support-through USAID's Small Grants Program-to
organizations such as yours underscores the importance that Americans
accord to the efforts of communities to improve the lives of their
members.
As early Lebanese immigrants to the U.S. discovered when they arrived
on American shores at the end of the nineteenth century, neighbors
had to help neighbors. In early America, particularly, one's antecedents,
family name, religious beliefs or personal history, counted much
less than whether a neighbor could offer help with the harvest,
construction advice for a new barn, strong arms to beat back a fire
or solace in times of tragedy. Our American society today is enriched
by the efforts of a multitude of community groups and associations
who enthusiastically embrace the shared task of improving our lives
together. And Americans admire and want to support others who do
the same.
This is why I am so pleased to be able to present each one of your
organizations a check today--to assist you in your efforts to strengthen
your communities, by providing assistance to those who most need
it. This presentation today recognizes the compassion and commitment,
the spirit and energy you bring to your work.
To Zuayter Charitable Association, I am pleased to present
you with a check for $50,000 to support the establishment of a health
care center to serve 100 low-income individuals from Baalback and
ten surrounding villages in the Beqaa area. The dispensary will
offer family health, gynecology, ophthalmology, and dentistry services.
To the Aita Chaab School for Children with Special Needs,
I am pleased to present you with a check for $50,000 to strengthen
your efforts to provide education and skills training to 60 children
in south Lebanon.
To the Saint Michael School and Orphanage, I am pleased
to present you with a check for $50,000 to purchase, among other
things, computers and classroom equipment to improve the educational
opportunities for the 160 boys and girls in your care.
To the Father Afif Osseiran Foundation, I am pleased to
present you with a check for $40,000 to support the vocational training
in car mechanics you offer to 150 young boys.
Your organizations are among the 67 Lebanese organizations that
have benefited from USAID's Small Grant Program. These organizations
have positively impacted the lives of more than 15,000 individuals
from economically underprivileged areas throughout Lebanon.
At the U.S. Embassy, we applaud your efforts and are proud to support
you through USAID's Small Grant Program.
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