Education opportunities for 200 Palestinian Refuge

Background during and after the implementation of the project;

Lebanon’s political, economic, and social dynamics have a significant impact on the rights, health and overall wellbeing of the child within its territory. Despite the fact that Lebanon has reconstructed its government institutions, its health and social services, as well as its infrastructure to a large extent in recent decades, the country’s turbulent political history continues to impact the current unstable political climate, the poor governance, the socio-economic inequalities, as well as the treatment of refugee communities and other vulnerable groups. These underlying realities heavily influence the rights and wellbeing of the child in Lebanon, not solely when it comes to protection and the provision of adequate services, but further in terms of discrimination, violence, and safety. Comprehending the political history and ongoing political landscape in Lebanon is important whilst designing and implementing effective child-centered initiatives, programs and projects.

The ineffectuality of the country’s services increases economic disparities and vulnerability, and also further perpetuates families’ needs to resort to sending their children to work. With economic and financial stressors adding up, as well as the drastic devaluation in the Lebanese currency, poverty in Lebanon is likely to continue to worsen in 2021.

Naba’a Achievements; During the last period, The most highlighted achievements during the last period;

-          We at Naba’a are doing all we can to help all affected communities during this extraordinary crisis. Our assistance efforts go to all: Lebanese, refugees and others who were affected without distinction. The devastating impact of the explosion is compounding the challenges currently faced by Lebanese and refugees and adding even more difficulties as families were struggling to survive with the economic crisis that was exacerbated by the impact of COVID-19.

-          Naba’a provided cash assistance for 283 family distributed as 225 in Borj Hammoud and 58 in khandaa along with distributing disinfection / hygiene kits for 1050 families in Beirut and south. Where 150 families in Ein EL Helwi, El Buss, Burj Al shamali and Rachidie camps received hygiene kits in addition to 900 families in Beirut. As for food kits, 225 families in Mie and Mie area and Saida al Balad have provided with Food kits as well as 75 families in Ein El Helwe. Whereas, 306 families in Beirut have received food kits and distributed as 306 families in Khandaa in 900 in Borj Hammoud.

• 2200 parents and caregivers motivated to be engaged in their children learning and well-being.
• Around 3020 Youth and adolescents (70% females) involved in the life skills program including different topics such as (Communication skills, leader ship skills, how to protect themselves from abuse, reproductive health, peer to peer, human rights, child rights, women rights, etc…).
• Nabaa’ provided inclusive education for 3210 boys and girls of school age (6-12 years) in the Palestinian camps and Syrian gatherings in Lebanon (Tripoli, Saida, Tyre, Nabatieh) “In line with UNRWA's educational reform and MEHE curriculum to support the education of refugees children from Syria, Palestinians or Syrians.
• Children and women have been targeted in psychosocial activities as the following, 3051 children (males and females)and 550 parents most of them are women, including, vulnerable Lebanese, Palestinian and Syrian refugees. Whereas, in Borj Al Shamali camp 555 children (males and females and 220 parents including (Lebanese, Syrian Refugees and Palestinian refugees).
• It is worthy to note that, two child friendly psychosocial spaces were established at two UNRWA clinics (one in Ein El Helweh and one in Wadi El Zeni), where 2350 children whom their families access UNRWA clinics participated and joined the activities in these spaces.

Case Study;

- Date of Birth: 2001

- Nationality: P / L

- Grade and school: X

- Interests: Driving a car

- Sex; Female

- The number of family members: 7

- Ranked among her brothers: 1

About the life of the child: the child lives in a very small house and her economic situation is bad, she is the oldest among her brothers. Her relationship with her father and brothers is very bad, as they are not listening to her opinion. As she mentioned his father is always angry and nervous which makes the family to live in a tension and frustrated life. The girl always complain about the situation of her family.

Economic situation :The economic situation is bad, the father is a farmer and they are living in a very small house. The father is always complaining about the income of the family which is not satisfied and affordable to buy their basic needs. The health situation: The girl suffers from allergic asthma

Social Situation;

-      The relation between the girl and her father is not good, as he is communicating with her in a very bad and violent ways.

-      The relation between the girl and her mother is good

-      The relation between the girl and her brothers is not good, she feels jealous from them, as they are free to do anything, which she is obeying the rules of the family.

The problem that the girl is suffering from: The girl is suffering from her bad relation with her family particularly with father and brothers, this effect badly on her academic levels and grades and her social life and relation with her friends.

Intervention;

1. One to One session2. Awareness sessions3. self-confidence and self esteem activities4. Breathing exercises to reduce tension Recommendations:1. Follow-up to the girl on a weekly basis2. Intensify activities and relaxation one to one session to reduce the psychological problems of the girl3. Engaging the girl in the voluntary activities within Naba’a programs

Links:

• Naba'a Website

Background during and after the implementation of the project;

Before the Beirut explosion, the following Nabaa’s Assessment showed 75% of the Lebanese were in need of assistance, 33% of the population became unemployed, and more then one million people were living below the poverty line. These numbers were likely to rise especially after Beirut explosion. In Addition Covid-19’s pandemic distracted the whole economic and social system. The Ministry of Health recorded more than 31,9917 cases and 3,616 deaths as of February 8, 2021.

Resulted from the previous assessment conducted by Nabaa directly after Beirut explosion, Lebanon needs a reliable crisis management strategy, people must be encouraged to take care of their physical and mental health, and new initiatives are necessary on several levels.

Nabaa started its intervention directly after the explosion where the resulted psychological symptoms were well managed through several appropriate services. Because the traumatic event triggers the symptoms and there is a chance that the symptoms will "turn on" again in the future, Nabaa’s intervention was extended for another short period of time.

After two months of intervention, followed by the previous intervention period, with children and parents in the Burj Hammoud area, Psychosocial Support activities (such as discharge activities and psychological follow up) led to positive outcomes in decrease of PTSD level among children (75%to 45%). 

If the trauma was left untreated, one may have experienced constant nightmares, insomnia, anxiety, depression, phobias, drug abuse, panic attacks, anger, irritability, or hopelessness. The individual may also begin to have physical symptoms such as gastrointestinal distress, fast heartbeat, or extreme fatigue.

Corona virus outbreak was the biggest challenge Nabaa faced due to the strict safety guidelines that were taken and followed while conducting home visits and following up with beneficiaries, as well in implementing activities with groups and municipalities to protect our employees and beneficiaries. Therefore, the sessions were provided remotely, especially after the general lock down.

Naba’a Achievements; During the last period, The most highlighted achievements during the last period;

-          During this year, During, the child rights program complementarily worked to (a) raise awareness and advocate against child labor, (b) build the capacity of drop-out youth as a mitigation measure to prevent their engagement in political factions, and (c) provide a safe space for marginalized children to express themselves.

-          The first project focused on the distribution of food and the provision of cash assistance packages to 430 households over the period of three months. Priority was given to female-headed households and the unemployed.

-          A rehabilitation of 200 shelters with simple damages have been implemented in Borj Hammoud area where the total number of beneficiaries estimated as 751 individuals with regard to rehabilitation. Noteworthy that, Nabaa’ participated in the rapid assessment for 1400 shelters. In addition to the Internal referral for 20 cases from Nabaa team who are working in Borj Hammoud area about other issues as gender Based violence, psychosocial, interventions, cash assistance, livelihood sector, education sector. 392 out of 751 are children, whereas 169 are youth and 190 are elderly taking into consideration 5 people with disability. Adding to this, 570 are Lebanese and 181 are foreigners.

-          The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), Child Protection (CP), Gender Based Violence (GBV) prevention and intervention services in the Palestinian Camps and Gatherings in Lebanon targeted beneficiaries located in Ein El-Helweh and Burj El-Shemali camps, engaging them in multiple activities designed to build skills, strengthen resilience, support the cognitive, social, and motor skills of children and youth (mostly females), and improve parenting skills, among others. As a result, girls, women, and children were empowered, acquired new knowledge, and enhanced their skills

Case Study;

The symbol is D. A

Date of birth: 2008

Gender: Female

Nationality: Syrian

- Number of family members: 7 (two girls and three boys)

D.A is a 14-year-old Palestinian refugee who has witnessed many traumatizing events through her childhood. As a beginning, D.A has been suffering from diabetes since she was young which is very tiresome for a girl of her age as it controls her whole life including food and activities. Indeed, D.A teachers have discovered the learning disabilities she has when she participated in NABAA’s educational program as she has concentration problems that limit her interactions and progression which is the main reason behind dropping out of school. To make things worse, D.A was subjected to sexual harassment by one of her relatives which scared her psyche and generated inner psychological issues. Accordingly, D.A, at the age of 14, had to deal with diabetes, psychological issues, and learning disabilities. 

 NABAA’s intervention started once her teachers discovered all these problems. In this sense, D.A case was referred to NABAA’s psychologist who kept an eye on her psychological and mental health through individual and awareness sessions given to her and her parents. On the educational level, D,A teachers followed up her development and used special educational techniques in an attempt to boost her skills. D.A was ambitious and never hesitated to do her homework or to interact with her teachers; she gradually started showing some educational progression.

As a result, D,A was transferred into vocational training and was happy to start a new career which is hairdressing. In few months, D.A will be holding her certificate and able to start working in the field of hairdressing as NABAA’s program she is participating in will provide her with hairdressing tools after her graduation. In brief, D,A is trying to start a new chapter in her life, to forget the painful memory she has, and to overcome her physical illness by dedicating her life to what she loves and is good at communication.

Links:

• Naba'a Website