YES Programs

MENU  

STORIES


The Power of One Alumna's Idea

14056317434 923a6108e1

By Faten Taki, YES Lebanon, 2004-2005

I was one of those teenagers who didn't like reading books. After coming to the U.S. and living with my family, reading became integrated in me. I loved it. One of the things that really left a mark on me was the idea of a library and a space just for children and young people. This place would not be for getting resources for a project or homework or to study for a national exam. Instead, it would simply be a place to read books. Another nice activity that took place in my high school’s library in South Carolina was a Thursday event entitled: “Turn Off your TV, and Join us (parents and their children) in the Library." How wonderful is that!

The idea of a children’s public library is not implemented, even until now, in many places in Lebanon. My mom shared the library idea with her students, who were fifth and sixth graders at the time. Even though they were super excited, their first reaction was: “How much will it cost?” “Nothing?!,” with a confused face, was their second reaction. These were some of the things that encouraged me to put the idea into practice.

Of course, this idea would never have become a reality if it were not for Amideast’s broadcasting and encouragement during YES meetings to step forward and apply for the available mini-grants. 

Initially, I wanted the location of the library to be central and easily accessible to kids of all ages. Parents would be comfortable with the idea of sending their kids to the library. In addition, I wanted the library to be truly public, and without any political or religious affiliations, to be neutral and transparent. So I met with my town’s mayor. I am writing this now with a smile, because now I am 24 years old. Back then, I was 16 years old. I was so worried and hesitant. Many people tried to put the idea down. Others waiting in line laughed, commenting, "a 16 year-old wants to meet the mayor...for a library! Good luck Kiddo!"). But, after several trials, I finally made it through the line. He kindly listened, and took it seriously. This was a big “yay” to me!

The building of the library began with them enlarging one portion of the room and building other new parts. Of course this would take almost three years, but he promised from the start that it would all happen.

Meanwhile, I left my town for college, but the YES family helped keep up the enthusiasm! I applied for a total of around $400 in mini-grants from YES and Amideast. My uncle helped me use the funds and built a couple of tables, book shelves and cabinets. In addition, through networking with the U.S. embassy in Lebanon, I procured many high-quality children's book donations (for example, books by the publishing company, Scholastic). In 2009, I visited my host family in South Carolina after the YES five year reunion conference and was able to take home book donations from people who heard about my project in South Carolina. Last but not least, Amideast has been more than generous with book donations that included two rounds while I was still in Lebanon and another one last month. Before the library was set up, I had collected around 600-700 books (and around 500 additional books last month).

The YES family in my town came during one of the weekends in 2009 to help organize books and set everything up. It created a nice buzz in our downtown area, with young people from all over Lebanon working together with much love and enthusiasm!

My contribution more or less stopped there. While still in Lebanon, the Ghazie College Student Association was formed. This organization was and is supported by our former mayor, Mr. Mohammad Sameeh Ghaddar. It has been growing ever since 2011. The youth of Ghazie, including Miss Sarah Hassoun and many others, took the lead in continuing to develop the library. 

The result was more than wonderful! Mayor Ghaddar funded laptops and computers, a heating system, fresh paint and décor, and child-friendly furniture. The library became from the people, for the people. It would never have seen the light if it were not for those amazing youth and the support system in my town. The success of this library should really go to the wonderful people of my town. They made dreams, including my own, come true.

Now, new kids programs are being organized, and children from schools or clubs stop by and join. It is amazing. They describe it as a mere beginning and promise that more brilliant programs are scheduled to happen.

In addition to my work on the library, I was lucky to be a member of the YES family in Lebanon. YES'ers with the guidance of awesome officers like John Orak and now Dana Saleh did and are still doing amazing projects that are dispersed all throughout Lebanon. From orphan visits to organizing Access field days, the YES impact flourishes. I am very happy I was able to take part in some of these events.

As for me, I became a Fulbrighter from 2011 till 2013. I graduated with an MS degree in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. Currently, I am enrolled in a PhD program in Biological Sciences at East Carolina University, Greenville North Carolina. My research is concerned with drugs of abuse, mainly nicotine and alcohol in adolescents. It’s unfortunate that I start every presentation by showing a slide about Lebanon with the highest smoking rate among teenagers (it has gone up to 60 percent). For that, I am passionate about my research, because it is very relevant to my country and people. What the future holds for me, I don’t know, but my plan is to continue and try to make a difference in this field. One of my long term objectives is to help strengthen the link between our findings in basic science research and public health awareness.

One thing that I learned in research is that you start with a plan to get from A to B. However, rarely do you get there. In most situations, we get through another path to an unexpected result (for example, from A to C). I saw that in this project as well. My initial goal was a simple children’s library. The end result was much more than that. It was more beautiful, because it triggered the involvement of the community. A lot of hours of work and organization were contributed by the youth and people of my town, for the sake of our town. The concept of volunteering was not there before. The youth proved themselves worthy and gained a lot of appreciation and respect from the older generation. Now, youth speak, and everyone listens! How awesome is that! Maybe a ripple was started in 2006. But, the propagation of the waves would not have made it through all the years and barriers if it were not for all the amazing people involved!


Share: