| Beyond the Shadows: Finding Sanctuary and Strength at Fratelli |
| The window between March 3rd and today, April 14th, has been one of the most challenging periods in Lebanon’s recent history. As the sounds of conflict have grown louder, the mission of the Fratelli Project has become more critical than ever. We want to share with you what the reality on the ground looks like, and how, together, we are refusing to let the future of our children be silenced. |
| The Humanitarian Landscape: A Nation Under Strain |
| According to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health and UNICEF, the escalation that began in early March has had a devastating impact on the most vulnerable. Since March 2nd, the conflict has claimed the lives of over 2,000 people and 6,588+ injuries, among the wounded are over 644 children, along with 252 women and 165 children killed. The scale of displacement is staggering. OCHA (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) reports that over 1.2 million people—one-fifth of Lebanon’s population have been forced to flee their homes. For the 350,000 children among them, the world has become an unpredictable and frightening place. With hundreds of public schools now serving as collective shelters, formal education has largely come to a standstill across the country. |
| Responding with Resilience: Reopening Our Doors |
| In the face of this darkness, Fratelli chose to be a light. On April 7th, we officially resumed our commitment to our students. While the safety of our children remains our absolute priority, we recognize that the « safety » they need is not just physical, but psychological. To balance these needs, we have successfully moved our « Wings to Fly » and CBECE educational programs online. The response was overwhelming. Hearing from their teachers’ was a moment of pure joy for our students. One of our educators noted: « The kids weren’t just happy to see us; they were relieved. For them, Fratelli isn’t just a center; it is their safe space. Knowing we were still thinking of them, still planning for their future, gave them back a sense of normalcy that the war had stolen. » |
| Looking Ahead: Returning to the Center |
| We believe in the power of presence. We are proud to announce that starting Tuesday, April 14th, we will be resuming our Vocational Training programs in person at the Fratelli center. These programs provide the youth of Lebanon with the tangible skills they need to build a future, even when the present feels fractured. |
| Caring for the Caregivers To serve our children well, we must also care for those who lead them. Yesterday, Monday, April 13th, our entire staff gathered for an online session dedicated to their own well-being. We conducted deep breathing exercises and utilized Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) tools to support and calm our nervous systems. In a crisis, the mental health of our frontline workers is the foundation upon which our resilience is built. |
