Nurturing Education and Resilience in Lebanon and Syria Amidst Unprecedented Challenges

ACN has approved a new aid package for schools in Lebanon and Syria for the 2023-2024 school year, totaling 2.6 million euros. The aid program encompasses school grants for over 16,000 predominantly Christian students from impoverished backgrounds in 176 Catholic schools. It also includes allowances to supplement the salaries of 6,000 teachers in Catholic schools and 117 religion teachers in public schools. Additionally, the aid program involves financing more than 20 solar panel projects for the roofs of selected schools.

Both countries heavily rely on international financial support for the survival of their schools. Marielle Boutros, co-responsible for ACN's project work in Lebanon, emphasizes the challenging situation faced by schools, stating, "Our schools are in a terrible bind." She explains that parents can no longer afford school fees, and without state support, schools struggle to cover teachers' salaries and operational costs. Maintaining Catholic schools is crucial, as the absence of such institutions could pave the way for Islamist ideologies to fill the void, leading to increased extremism among children.

Since Lebanon's economic collapse in 2019, over 70% of the population lives in extreme poverty. In Syria, due to war, sanctions, and inflation, the figure is as high as 90%. ACN's aid package not only supports parents with school fees and expenses but also subsidizes the salaries of teachers in Catholic schools and religion teachers in state schools, preventing them from facing financial hardships. The aid package, building on last year's substantial support, also extends to the installation of solar power and renovation projects at schools, contributing to their self-sufficiency. Marielle Boutros emphasizes the social significance of these projects, helping schools withstand strikes at state schools and ensuring that millions of children, including Muslims, can receive education in Catholic schools, fostering tolerance through shared experiences.

In Syria, where a civil war has persisted since 2011, causing immense suffering and a drastic reduction in the Christian population, ACN's financial support for Catholic schools is instrumental in providing children with a perspective amid the ongoing conflict. Elias Nseir, representative of the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchate, expresses deep gratitude for ACN's support, stating that it enables them to pursue their educational, human, and Christian mission despite numerous obstacles. The aid helps build a brighter future for the children in Syria and strengthens their connection with their homeland, marred by years of war and adversity.

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