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Dinner and a Movie

Leb Food Drive 4

Photo: Screening in Tripoli, North Lebanon

Lebanese YES alumni are always looking for new ways to help out their community. This month, 36 YES alumni from different regions and cohort years decided to collaborate with local NGOs and young volunteers to organize a cultural event for a humanitarian cause. They screened the Lebanese movie Taxi El Balad - and the entrance fee was.... food donations!

Leb Food Drive 2

The first step was to find a place to host the event in each region. Each group of YES alumni contacted regional NGOs, university campuses, and churches to use their facilities for the movie screening. 

Second, the alumni promoted the event and invited as many people as possible. The more attendees they got, the more donated food for people in need they would generate. To promote this event in all regions, YES alumni created an e-poster which they shared on social media and on WhatsApp. In addition to the online advertisement, three YES alumni in each region roamed the streets with signs to invite people to attend the event. 

On the day of the screening, the viewers/donors were also treated to complimentary refreshments and popcorn provided by the YES alumni volunteers. 

Photo: Maroun Mezher (YES ’18) and Jana Al Ghoul (YES ’17) promoting the event in the streets of Beirut

The turnout was incredible! 110 people attended in total and 216 food cans were donated to underprivileged individuals and local charities that provide food for the poor. 

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Non-YES volunteers helped out as well, demonstrating how the community service spirit the Lebanese YES alumni have is spreading among their local communities.

Photo (right): Farah Sanjar (YES ’16) and her friend managing the refreshments station

One of the organizers, Nazih Raychouni (YES 2014-2015, Lebanon, hosted by AFS in Wichita, KS) states: “This project was one of a kind because not only does it help people in need, but also assures us that there is hope for a better future and generation. 

Sandra Sleiman (YES 2012-2013, Lebanon, hosted by AYUSA in Grosse Ile, MI) adds, “It warms our hearts to make a difference and remind the world that humanity lives in us.”

Leb Food Drive 1

Photo: YES alumni and attendees in the Bekaa region



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