Photo: Dania Hawat (YES 2011-2012, hosted by AFS in Kirtland, OH) poses with students at the English classes she organized.

For over 5 years, two neighboring towns in the north of Lebanon, Bab Al Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen, have been clashing with one another. During that time, a very special NGO called Ruwwad al Tanmiya opened with two doors – one opening to Bab Al Tabbaneh, and one to Jabal Mohsen. As the area is now recovering from the trauma of the conflict, families and children are trying to find new stability. 

One thing the two neighboring towns lack is sufficient English language training in the public schools. In 2014, the President of the YES Alumni Association in Lebanon, Mohamad Ali Kalassina (YES 2012-2013) initiated an English teaching project for kids in these areas. The project started at Ruwwad al Tanmiya and was offered to 15 kids.

Just two years later, the YES Alumni North Lebanon Coordinator Dania Hawat (2011-2012) restarted this ambitious project with the support of six other YES alumni in North Lebanon. This time, the course was offered to 35 kids, and included more thorough material that was developed based on the evaluations of the past project. The YES alumni worked with the kids from July 19 to August 5, 2016. They held classes every weekday for three hours. 

Photo: Mohamad Ali Kalassina (YES 2012-2013, hosted by NW Services PEACE Program in Bridgeport, OH) interacts with the young English students in northern Lebanon.

The course offered basic English language skills to help the kids understand the English language and continue their studies. The aim is for the kids to eventually be able to use English professionally. The YES alumni took shifts teaching the classes and ended up really bonding with their students.

The project was funded through a mini-grant from the U.S. Department of State, which helped provide student books, printed materials, and a celebration at the end of the course.