Lebanon Trust’s 2011 results

We are delighted to report that 2011 brought us much success in our charitable projects. Our volunteers raised funds through many different activities, and we were able to deliver financial help as promised to the Institutions we support. In late October, we travelled to Lebanon.

A detailed report has been sent to all donors to summarise Lebanon Trust’s activities, its main accomplishments and its financial situation.

• Financing of 1 year of a full-time speech therapist for the children of the Father Andeweg Institute for the Deaf, Beirut: $ 8000
• Financing of construction work (removal of internal walls, new layout of classrooms) for the kindergarten of the Chatila refugee camp in Beirut: $ 2500
• Purchase of equipment for the Chatila refugee camp kindergarten in Beirut: $ 700
• On-the-field evaluation of the work done by the Institutions we support, discussion of their plans and needs, meetings with their management, staff and pupils, further definition of our mode of collaboration
• Field visit to the Chatila refugee camp in Beirut
• Painting, refurbishment and minor reconstruction work at the school’s premises, and at the “Old Rectory” (teachers’ training area) of the Father Andeweg Institute for the Deaf (FAID). The tools and material have been purchased by Lebanon Trust, and the work carried out by the volunteers themselves.

Last but not least, in June our Chairman Christy Kinsella was awarded the “Unsung Hero” prize by Finglas Ford in Dublin, for Lebanon Trust’s merits in charitable work.

This is our fourth visit to the Father Andeweg Institute for the Deaf. It is a joy to report that the children’s progress is very visible. They are very active, happy and well-behaved, they grow up quickly and their speaking skills get better and better, in Arabic and English. Lebanon Trust, for the second year now, has financed a full-time speech therapist for the children. Their progress is regularly monitored and recorded in detailed individual reports.

Also, we organised a “fun day” for the deaf children, followed by a party with balloons, cakes and presents. Everyone had a very good time.

As Krikor Kasholian, FAID’s director, puts it:

“Many heartfelt thanks from FAID’s pupils and teachers to Lebanon Trust and its volunteers and supporters. Regular and frequent speech therapy really helps our children’s progress, and it is also a great encouragement to us to know that we have friends who care and work hard to help our school. Again, thank you Lebanon Trust and see you next year.”

The kindergarten of the Chatila refugee camp has now moved to a refurbished building, far better and more sanitary than the old one, which was dark and damp. The playground on the roof – there are no parks or available areas in refugee camps – is well organised, safe and clean. Lebanon Trust has financed part of the refurbishment and reconstruction work on the building as well as some necessary equipment.

In the words of Mariam, the kindergarten’s principal:

“On behalf of the kindergarten of the Chatila refugee camp, the teachers and the children, I would like to express our warm appreciation of Lebanon Trust’s commitment to our institution. Also thanks to their fundraising efforts, this year we were finally able to offer to our children a completely refurbished building, safe, clean and with more spacious rooms. We hope that our cooperation with Lebanon Trust will continue, and expand in the future.”

The necessary funds have been raised through:

• Events: parties, raffles, disco night, quiz nights, etc
• Private donations
• Corporate sponsorships
• Collection cans

Noel Conway of Conway Cabs, for joining the volunteers in Lebanon and for his precious and effective support – Paul Murphy of UniCredit plc (Dublin, Ireland) – Paul Martin of Paul Martin Communications Limited (Dublin, Ireland) – Declan Griffin of Griffin Digital Print (Dublin, Ireland) – Mr & Mrs Power, on behalf of their deceased son Kenneth, Kilflynn, Tralee (Co Kerry, Ireland) – Jeff Riardon, Barrakilla, Tralee (Co Kerry, Ireland) – O’Neill’s House of Sport (Dublin, Ireland) – Graham Gleasure, Matt Talbot Road, Tralee (Co Kerry, Ireland) – Miriam Flynn of Bus Éireann (Limerick, Ireland) – McCauley’s Bar & Lounge (Dublin, Ireland) – ANSAC Credit Union (Dublin, Ireland) – Emma Wilde of Ulster Bank, Walkinstown Branch (Dublin, Ireland) – Finglas Ford Centre (Dublin, Ireland) – Alan McDonnell and all the Symantec employees who voted for our Chairman Christy Kinsella – Mr Paul Harte, Symantec (Dublin, Ireland) – GK Nets (Dublin, Ireland) – St Peregrines GAA Club, Blanchardstown (Dublin, Ireland) – L. R. on behalf of the deceased friend Arnaldo Musso (Genoa, Italy) – Ole Vossnack (Zurich, Switzerland) – Maria Cristina Ferraro & Alessandro Bertolotto (Genoa, Italy)