LEBANON: Salesian center provides beacon of hope for refugee youth
Support includes education, reconciliation and solidarity
(MissionNewswire) The Salesian center in Al Fidar, Lebanon*, continues to play a crucial role in offering support to people in need with a focus on education, reconciliation and solidarity. Salesians report that the situation in Lebanon has shown signs of slow improvement. The ceasefire and the recent appointment of a new president have brought hope to a country that is trying to get back on its feet after years of economic and political difficulties, even though recent developments have shown the fragility of the situation for the local population.
A Salesian explained, “The heart of the Salesian mission lies in the diversity of the people we help including young Lebanese, Syrian and Iraqi refugees, each with their own story of suffering and hope. Although the challenges are many, every day offers us new opportunities to do good.”
The Salesian added, “With Lebanese and Iraqi children, we focus on schooling and emotional support through oratory activities. These become places where values such as solidarity, friendship and hope for the future are cultivated. For Syrian refugees, our main focus is on the oratory, which becomes a space where, despite daily difficulties, they can feel free to dream and discover talents they might otherwise not have had the chance to express. Each encounter is a small step toward building a sense of dignity and humanity.”
One of the youth helped at the Salesian oratory is Rami, a Syrian refugee who arrived in Lebanon with his family. In Lebanon, Rami found himself facing poverty and disorientation. The first encounter with the oratory was difficult for him. As time passed, he began to feel part of a community that offered him a safe haven.
Rami said, “Here, I feel accepted for who I am, not as a refugee but as a boy who has the opportunity to learn and to dream.” His experience reflects how important it is for youth, especially those scarred by war, to have the opportunity to hope for a better future.
During the 2024 conflict, the Salesian house took in more than 100 displaced people from southern Lebanon. For them, finding refuge in a time of violence and instability was a sign of the support and friendship they needed. The community went to great lengths to ensure that those displaced were not just helped, but supported in finding hope in the recovery.
The Salesian noted, “The mission that guides us every day is inspired by Don Bosco’s Salesian charism, which sees education as a fundamental means to change the lives of young people and communities. The road will still be long, but the goal is clear. We want to be a light of hope for every young person, for every family, for every person who needs to find a reason to believe in tomorrow.”
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Sources:
ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)
World Bank – Lebanon
*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.
