2005 press releases

U. S. Embassy Presents Gift From the American People to the People of Lebanon

Celebration of the 229th Birthday of the United States

June 28, 2005

In celebration of the 229th birthday of the United States, U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey D. Feltman and United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Lebanon Mission Director Raouf Youssef presented checks worth $185,000 to four Lebanese organizations, June 28, 2005. In remarks at Saint Elie School and Orphanage in Ramlet El Bayda, Ambassador Feltman said, “This gift from the American people represents a commitment to the spirit of the Declaration of Independence, signed on July 4, 1776. By sharing the blessings of liberty that have been bestowed upon the American people, we support the Lebanese people in their own quest for sovereignty and independence. Our gift underscores our belief in the intrinsic worth of all human beings and the right of each man, woman and child to ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.’”

Ambassador Feltman explained that for many years the U.S. Embassy in Beirut celebrated the 4th of July with a large reception. This year, however, the Embassy decided that it would be more appropriate to use the money to fund Lebanese organizations, working with some of Lebanon’s most vulnerable citizens. The Ambassador presented checks to four organizations supporting the education and rehabilitation of children with disabilities, providing homes for orphans and providing medical care to mothers and children. The projects will directly benefit more than 906 individuals from throughout Lebanon, including Bekaa, Akkar, Deir Al Ahmar, El Qai, Sehaile, Marjayoun, Daraya, Beirut and its suburbs.

Through its Small Grants Program, USAID granted funds to the following organizations, whose representatives were present at Saint Elie School and Orphanage, to receive checks presented by Ambassador Feltman and USAID Mission Director Raouf Youssef, on June 28, 2005:

1) $47,000 to Al Ahliah School to purchase equipment to develop its special needs education program with a resource room and library. USAID’s assistance includes audio-visual and library materials and Braille computers for the visually impaired children. The school accommodates 360 students, and has integrated a special needs education program into its curriculum, targeting children with learning disabilities and visually impaired students.

2) $40,000 to Saint Elie School and Orphanage to improve the institution’s dormitory and living sections, kitchen facilities and a computer room. The institution accommodates 280 children from throughout Lebanon who do not have families to care for them. USAID’s contribution will help strengthen the institution’s humanitarian and educational services.

3) $50,000 to the Child and Mother Welfare Society to procure medical equipment for the hospital’s diagnostic and surgical facilities. The hospital serves 9,000 patients a year with low cost services. USAID’s assistance will directly benefit at least three patients per week.

4) $48,000 to the Father Roberts Institute to improve the facilities for hearing impaired and deaf adolescent boarding students, enhance the speech therapy and auditory training classrooms and procure specialized materials. Located in Sehaile in Keserwan, the institute addresses the needs of hearing impaired children and youth in Lebanon. The institute serves 110 students a year from throughout Lebanon with programs in early education, specialized education, and vocational training for the hearing impaired.

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 $35 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 web site www.usaidlebanon.org.lb.