press releases 2007U.S. Ambassador Visits U.S. Government-Funded Projects in Amshit and Bsharre September 17, 2007 U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman and United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Lebanon General Development Officer Stephen Herbaly visited three U.S. Government-funded projects in the areas of Amshit and Bsharre: a public school, an agricultural center and a municipality.
In Amshit, Ambassador Feltman visited Amshit Intermediate Public School, in the presence of the school Principal Mrs. Awatef Zakhia. Amshit’s Mayor Mr. Antoine Issa as well as representatives from the International Orthodox Christian Association (IOCC) and the University of Balamand. Amshit Intermediate Public School is receiving assistance from the U.S. Government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), as part of the Lebanon Education Assistance for Development (LEAD) program. The school received a new computer laboratory that serves 261 students, giving them access to technology skills. Implemented by two U.S. non-governmental organizations – the International Orthodox Christian Association (IOCC) and the Cooperative Housing Foundation (CHF), the LEAD program provides assistance to 209 public schools in all Lebanese regions, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. The LEAD program aims to 1) rehabilitate school infrastructure to enhance the physical capabilities of public schools; 2) provide school equipment such as laboratory equipment, supplies and books; 3) conduct awareness programs on health, nutrition and social awareness for a better learning environment; and 4) organize extracurricular activities to enhance the skills and learning experience of students. In Bsharre, USAID has funded the establishment of the Biocoop extension, demonstration and training center (EDTC) that serves the North and Akkar. The project aims at promoting successful and profitable organic farming systems to increase income and generate jobs in rural areas. The Gebran Khalil Gebran committee has donated the center’s premises as a contribution from the local community. The program provides farmers in the area with extension services, organic fruit trees, a packaging unit, a refrigeration unit and an apple juice factory that will serve all of Lebanon. USAID’s assistance to the Bsharre center amounts to $500,000 and serves around 150 farmers. The final stop of the visit featured a round table discussion at the Municipality of Bsharre, gathering mayors from nearby villages in the Bsharre district, including Bsharre, Aabdine, Barhalioun, Hadchit, Hasroun, Beqaa-Kafra, Bkerkacha, Bazaoun, Tourza and Qnat. The discussion mainly focused on USAID’s assistance to the district’s municipalities, through the State University of New York (SUNY), which aims to standardize and automate work processes, expand municipal revenues, enhance communication with citizens and increase transparency in all aspects of municipal work. USAID also provides assistance to the Bsharre Municipal Union – representing all eleven municipalities in the district – to facilitate coordination among municipalities and ensure the sustainability of reform efforts. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has worked in Lebanon since 1951, funding development projects to benefit Lebanese citizens. USAID’s program promotes economic opportunities, job creation, good governance and environmental policies and practices in rural Lebanon. USAID provides $40 million assistance a year and works in partnership with U.S. and Lebanese organizations throughout the country. USAID strengthens the relationship between the people of Lebanon and the people of the United States, and promotes a shared vision of democracy and socio-economic development. For more information about USAID’s projects in Lebanon, visit USAID’s website http://lebanon.usaid.gov/.
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