2005 press releases

USAID Presents $190,000 to Four Lebanese Organizations

February 7, 2005

U.S. Charge d'Affaires Christopher W. Murray and United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Lebanon Mission Director Raouf Youssef presented on February 7, 2005, $190,000 to four Lebanese organizations working in the fields of charity, special education, orphan care and vocational training.

In a ceremony held at the U.S. Embassy in Awkar, Mr. Murray noted that the funds would support the efforts of organizations "to provide health care for families who can't afford it, education and training for children without voices to fight for it, and equipment and materials to create home and community for children without families to provide it." Mr. Murray also noted that the U.S. Government's support to these organizations - through USAID's Small Grants Program -- "underscores the importance that Americans accord to the efforts of communities to improve the lives of their members."

USAID granted funds to the following organizations:

1) $50,000 to the Zuayter Charitable Association to establish a low cost health care center to serve 100 low-income individuals per month from Baalback and ten surrounding villages in the Beqaa area. The center provides services in family health, gynecology, ophthalmology and dentistry.

2) $50,000 to Aita Chaab School for Children with Special Needs to purchase equipment and classroom materials. The only school in South Lebanon to offer education and skills training, the grant will help support 60 children with special needs from the areas of Aita Chaab, Debel, Rmeish, Ramia and Ain Ebel.

3) $50, 000 to Saint Michael School and Orphanage to purchase computers, kitchen materials, an electric generator, and audio-visual and classroom equipment. The school is located in Mradieh in Keserwan, and provides education to 160 orphaned boys and girls from all Lebanon.

4) $40,000 to Father Afif Osseiran Foundation to develop training in car mechanics and to purchase furniture for the dormitory section. The foundation, located in Fanar, provides free vocational training to 150 young boys in the fields of car mechanics, electricity and welding.

For more information about USAID's projects in Lebanon, please visit its web site www.usaidlebanon.org.lb.