2005 press releases

USAID Presents $99,500 to Three Lebanese Organizations

December 9, 2005

United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Lebanon Mission Director Raouf Youssef presented on December 09, 2005 $99,500 to two Lebanese organizations and a school at the U.S. Embassy in Awkar.

Located in Bourj Hammoud, Ras El Metn and Bint Jbeil, the three Lebanese organizations work in the fields of academic education, vocational training, medical services and socio-economic development. The three projects will directly benefit more than 3,800 individuals per year, including students, women and rural residents.

USAID presented checks to the following organizations:

1) $26,000 to Mesrobian Secondary School in Bourj Hammoud to purchase computers, audio-visual and multimedia materials for the library and the computer center. The requested assistance will help the school establish a modern library where more than 1,200 students can perform academic research using up-to-date technology. Furthermore, the assistance will help establish a computer laboratory where students can put their courses into practice. USAID’s assistance will enable Mesrobian Secondary School to establish itself as a learning and research center in the area, attracting students who acquire academic and vocational education entitling them to better employment opportunities.

2) $45,000 to Ras El Metn Women Society in Baabda to procure a bone density scanner/osteoporosis diagnostic machine for their health dispensary. USAID’s assistance will improve the medical and socio-economic services provided by the organization, and will specifically benefit more than 2,000 rural women per year by providing access to low cost high quality medical services in Ras El Metn and fourteen surrounding villages. The dispensary provides a wide range of medical services, while the center features a public library, an active lecture room, a handicrafts workshop, as well as a language and computer access unit.

3) $28,500 to the Lebanese Sporting Club Association in Bint Jbeil to establish a center for computer learning, Internet access and language training. The center is part of the Professional Computer Association (PCA)’s nationwide network of PiPOPs – or PCA Internet Points of Presence. The Bint Jbeil center will provide computer access to 600 individuals per year in Bint Jbeil and the surrounding villages.

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 at
www.usaidlebanon.org.lb.