Lebanon: Spring of Life Care Center
LEBANON HOME

LOCATION
Lebanon is one of the world’s smallest countries, with an area of only 10,452 square km. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, Syria, and Israel. The population of Lebanon is estimated at about 3.7 million people. About 1.5 million people live in the capital city, Beirut, where the “Spring of Life Center” is located.

The Center was opened in May 2006 and is located in an area of the city called ‘Nabaa’, which means ‘Spring’ in Arabic – hence the Center has been named the “Spring of Life center”. Nabaa is a very poor area of the city with Christian and Muslim inhabitants and a significant number of refugees. Problems in the surrounding area include inadequate housing, high unemployment, low levels of income, low educational attainment, and poor health care. There are a large number of children out in the streets during the day.

FACILITIES
The Spring of Life Care Center is located in a ground-floor rented apartment and has three classrooms, a meeting room, small kitchen and bathroom. There is also an outdoor play area.

PROGRAM

• School Program: Kids Alive has opened a small school program at the center for disadvantaged children, particularly those from very poor immigrant families. The school programme cares for up to 25 children. The focus is primarily helping children that do not have a place in a mainstream school. There are a number of Sudanese, Ethiopian, Kurdish, Syrian and other immigrant families in the area and children from these backgrounds are often excluded from schools because of their legal status in Lebanon, or other forms of discrimination. Many of these children were locked in their homes each day while their parents went out to work. Our desire is to help these children by giving them a quality basic education.

Key subjects taught in the school program are Arabic, English and Mathematics. There are also opportunities for children to play sports, enjoy arts and crafts and learn some basic practical skills. Bible teaching is a key part of the program, and each day starts with some Christian songs and a Bible story.

As well as a quality education, children in the program also receive a lunchtime meal each day, food parcels for their families, and clothing as necessary. One of our goals is to link these children and their families up with local churches.

• Afternoon Tutoring Program: Up to 30 children aged 7 – 13 years are cared for in this program, which runs from approximately 2p.m. to 6p.m. each day in partnership with the Church of God. The care given includes providing children with assistance with homework from school and providing a hot meal or snack to the children. Games and activities are organized for the children and Bible stories and songs are taught each day.

• Medical Clinic: A medical clinic has been set up in partnership with another Christian NGO, called ‘Tahaddi’. The clinic provides free medical consultations and medicines to very poor families in the community, many of them refugees. This important service has been very well received by many local inhabitants.

FUTURE
We are looking at the possibilities of starting a nursery program for preschool children. We need to purchase a van to assist with transporting children to and from their homes. Improving our kitchen facilities is another long-term goal. There are also great opportunities for missionaries to come and serve in the school as Teachers or Teaching Assistants. Please contact Kids Alive for more information!