"Sahel Akkar" and U.S. Government Give Youth a Voice in North Lebanon

November 9, 2009

Ten villages in Akkar have come together to give the youth in their communities a larger leadership role, with the help of the United States.  On November 7, 2009, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michele J. Sison visited Halba to attend an exhibition of community projects led and organized by the Sahel Akkar Youth Group.  Ambassador Sison discussed Sahel Akkar's programs with community members from the villages of Tell Indi, Tell Hayat, Tell Meayyan, Aabboudieh, Aarida, Tell Aabbas el Charqi, Qlaiaat, Tell Bibi, Qaabrine and Kneisse.  Ambassador Sison praised the cooperation among the communities of Akkar that made Sahel Akkar's programs a success: "These programs could not have been nearly as successful without mutual support between the youth and the leaders of the community as well as the shared priority of improving opportunities for the young people of Akkar.  It is my sincere hope that other communities in Lebanon can learn from the model you have pioneered here."

At the exhibition, the Sahel Akkar Youth Group outlined the community projects they have initiated thus far, including a school awareness campaign on hygiene, an environmental cleanup campaign, the establishment of a mobile lending library, and a series of cross-confessional roundtables to emphasize Akkar’s strong diversity. 

An example of the effective cooperation between government and civil society, the Sahel Akkar Youth Group received financial support from the U.S. government's Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) as well as in-kind support from the municipality of Tel Mayan, which has provided rent-free operating space to the organization.  One of major goals for the Sahel Akkar Youth Group is to encourage the interaction of the youth of the region with their elected officials.  Each project team worked closely with the leaders of their villages for their projects to be successful. 

This year, the U.S. provided the Sahel Akkar Youth Group with $88,000 for the rehabilitation of a community center and to organize classes in English, general literacy, civic education and leadership for over 300 youths from ten villages in Akkar.  With support from the United States, the Sahel Akkar Youth Group also provided youth with recreational activities in the visual arts and music.