A summer to remember for refugee children in Lebanon
As the long summer holidays have drawn to a close and a new school year begins, memories of exciting trips, blissful free time and a chance to indulge in ice cream and other tasty treats are still fresh in lots of children’s minds. And, thanks to your support, many refugee children living in Lebanon have also had a summer to remember.
For many children living in the refugee camps or informal settlements, the holidays are anything but fun. Their families cannot afford day trips, their un-airconditioned homes are stiflingly hot in the summer temperatures and food is often in short supply.
Our partner DSPR tell us about the activities they have run this summer to help children get away from the grim reality of their day-to-day life:
In the peak of summer many families go away to visit their relatives, the sea, the mountains or new places worth discovering. For the children in the camps, this is not possible and for them, the scorching weeks of the summer holidays are one thing: long and tedious.
That's why DSPR runs summer camps in many centres to empower the children and offer them opportunities to engage in meaningful activities and educate themselves, discover the world around them and get to know themselves better.
The summer program, held in the DSPR JCC Dbayeh Center, is an 8-week educational and entertainment experience held for the approximately 170 children from diverse nationalities in the Dbayeh camp.
The program creates a dynamic platform for students by stepping outside the guidelines of traditional classroom settings. The children are encouraged to explore diverse subjects that spark their curiosity and passion, thus allowing them to develop skills, and enjoy fun activities.
The main goal was to make sure our young learners get to know the school environment, their teachers and to have a good time with a variety of educational and recreational activities. We aimed to create a summer they'd never forget.
One highlight was our trip to a riverside resort where the children swam and enjoyed their time. What made the trip even more special was that the mothers were invited too, to give them the opportunity to be with their children while they are having fun and to alleviate their own stresses. It was a beautiful bonding experience for all involved.
The children also embarked on a journey into the world of bees, by visiting the DSPR JCC Tyre Center where the students were spellbound by these fascinating creatures. They learned about the importance of bees and had a chance to observe the honey-making process. They were also introduced to the world of vegetables and fruits grown on the farm.
The education and entertainment within the summer program created an enriching experience for all participants, ensuring that each day was a delight for the young learners. There were team-building activities in joyful surroundings, nurturing their holistic development through teamwork and friendship.
Through shared experiences and understanding, young minds build bridges of friendship that transcend borders and differences.
Our partner Tahaddi have also been running fun activities for the children of the informal settlement Hay El Gharbeh on the edge of Beirut:
