2005 press releases

USAID Signs Agreements with Eight Lebanese Organizations Totaling USD 309,000

August 9, 2005

United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Lebanon Mission Director Raouf Youssef signed grant agreements with eight Lebanese non-governmental organizations totaling $309,000 at the U.S. Embassy on August 9, 2005.

The organizations work in the fields of vocational education, academic education, mental disability, languages and computer training and orphan care. The eight projects will directly benefit 3,762 children, orphans, students, mentally challenged children and individuals with social cases from throughout Lebanon.

USAID signed agreements with the following organizations:

1) $50,000 to Monseigneur Cortbawi Institute in Adma to purchase modern equipment for the mechanical industry and the car mechanics workshop at the technical section of the Institute. 280 students from low socio-economic background will have access to vocational training and improve their technical skills. USAID’s assistance will increase the Institute’s capacity to meet the ever-demanding needs of the job market by having up-to-date equipment, and to subsequently accommodate a larger number of students in its premises.

2) $31,000 to Saints Coeurs Association in Chnaniir to support the association’s caregiver program for children and orphans with mild mental disability, by equipping the center with audio-visual, educational and training materials that will benefit 42 mentally challenged children coming from throughout Lebanon.

3) $26,000 to Mesrobian Secondary School in Bourj Hammoud to furnish the school’s computer center and library with computers and audio-visual materials. The school accommodates 1,227 students enrolled in both the academic education and the vocational training section. USAID’s assistance will help enhance the school’s vocational training section and provide an Internet research center for the academic section.

4) $35,00 to Tyre Art Association in Tyre to purchase Information Technology equipment and audio-visual materials to equip the center to deliver computer and language courses to the community in Tyre and its surrounding area. The project aims at eliminating illiteracy in Tyre by teaching basic Arabic and English to deprived and unemployed population free of charge. The program will also include teaching computer skills. 180 individuals per year will benefit from USAID’s assistance through this project.

5) $44,000 to Social Guidance Association in Mrouj to enhance the orphanage’s capabilities through equipping it with computers, dormitory materials and kitchen appliances. Located in Mrouj, the orphanage accommodates on a full-board basis 225 orphans and children with social cases coming from all Lebanese regions.

6) $32,000 to Saint Anthony of Padoue School in Karm Sadde to furnish the school’s library and computer center with computers, audio-visual materials and books. 264 students, of which almost half are orphans, will benefit from USAID’s assistance.

7) $50,000 to Association of Besancon Sisters in Baskinta to purchase computers, audio-visual materials and classroom furniture to enhance the school capabilities to cater for a larger number of students. The school currently accommodates 594 students from throughout Lebanon, including girls with social cases in the dormitory section.

8) $41,000 to the Missionary Sisters of the Saint Sacrement in Beit Habbak to enhance the school’s computer curriculum. The project will also provide computer access and Internet connectivity to members of the community in Beit Habbak and the surrounding area. The school accommodates 950 students including orphans.

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