Vulnerable Children's Fund-October Update
Worthy of His Mercy
Established in 1998 as a shelter for street children, Home of Hope in Beirut is under the governance of the Lebanese Evangelical Society. They now serve children between the ages of 7 and 18 who have been exposed to abuse by their primary caregivers or by members of their community and are at risk. The children are brought to Home of Hope upon a judicial order and with a protection file.
Raghida Al Assal has been the Executive Director for three years and shares this: Our purpose at Home of Hope is to help the children heal through Jesus Christ. Even though 99% of our children come from non-Christian backgrounds, they attend a weekly chapel at the home. We also encourage all our Christian and non-Christian staff to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner worthy of His mercy.
We currently serve 24 boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 18: 3 Palestinians, 3 Lebanese, 7 Syrians, and the remaining 11 children are undocumented. Undocumented children have no legal identification papers. Therefore, according to the law in Lebanon, they do not exist and have no rights. Home of Hope is the only shelter in Lebanon that takes undocumented children. We provide them with all their basic needs, as well as with academic support, vocational training, social activities, psychosocial support, and medical support.
Another project that we are currently working towards is providing our children with different activities that teach them valuable skills they may be able to use in the future such as sewing, basket making, cooking, woodworking, wall painting, plumbing, hairdressing, etc... About two years ago, we started sending our children to public schools (very few of them have ever been to school), until the age of 14. At that point, we try to identify their interests and direct them towards work skill training.
Home of Hope occupies a large, not-particularly-kid-friendly building that was constructed long ago as a home for the elderly. Raghida is working hard to make it feel less like an “institution” and more like a “home”. A recent gift from The Outreach Foundation allowed for the purchase of wooden beds and new clothes cupboards (all of which the children helped to build). A vegetable garden is planned plus the repainting of walls, renovating the basketball court, and eliminating humidity and mold. The Outreach Foundation will also seek funds, as a part of our Alternative Christmas, to provide a joyful holiday for these precious children.
Raghida reflects:
We often encounter situations that frustrate us, nevertheless, we continue to move forward with God's grace. I am certain the Lord has a plan for every single child in this building for no one can love them more than He does. I pray that we continue to work this ministry in all faithfulness.
With you in service to our Lord who taught us to “suffer the little children,”
Marilyn Borst, Associate Director for Partnership Development
Read more about the Vulnerable Children’s Fund HERE.
THE NEED
The Outreach Foundation is seeking gifts totaling $25,000 for the Vulnerable Children’s Fund, which will be used to support community schools in Zambia, preschools in the refugee camps of western Ethiopia, childhood trauma healing groups in those same camps, Home of Hope in Lebanon, and continued feeding and scholarship support to orphans that have aged out of the institutions in which they were raised. You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.
