| Dear Friends and Partners, |
| This month, a welcome window of quiet brought about by the regional ceasefire allowed our center to breathe, heal, and gather for a milestone we have anticipated with deep gratitude: The 10th Anniversary of the Fratelli Project. For a decade, Fratelli has stood as a beacon of sanctuary in Lebanon. To mark this journey, our center erupted into a beautiful, unforgettable celebration alongside our children, youth, educators, and several very special international and local guests. We were honored to welcome Brother Carlos Gómez (Vicar General of the La Salle Brothers in Rome), Rita Sleiman (representing our long-term donor CNEWA), members of the Fratelli Association in Lebanon, Brothers from the Marist and La Salle communities, and Fratelli community’s friends. |
| Together, we didn’t just celebrate a date on a calendar. We celebrated life, resilience, and the beautiful family we have built. |
 |
| A Decade of Joy Through a Child’s Eyes |
| Our classrooms came alive with anniversary activities centered on hope and fraternity. The energy was tangible: |
 In the Wings 15 classroom, students crafted and drew « letters from the heart, » filled with messages of hope for their peers at Fratelli Maicao in Colombia. They proudly handed these to Brother Carlos Gómez, who will personally transport this bridge of love and solidarity across the ocean. |
 Another classroom created a massive canvas covered in vibrant paint handprints, writing down their favorite memories and lessons learned at Fratelli. |
 Our younger students dedicated a large canvas entirely to what « Fraternity » means to them through art. |
The climax of the day took place in the CBECE playground. In a beautiful display of unity, our CBECE children and also the children from the after-school support program, youth, the mothers from the sewing course, teachers, coordinators, and distinguished visitors held hands and danced together, led by our tutor, Antonella. The day ended with pure, simple delight: every single child enjoying ice cream, their eyes shining with a sense of safety, gratitude, and profound happiness. In the afternoon, a different activity involving the children from CEBCE and the graduation ceremony for the ANTI program’s women. |
 |
| « Who I Have Become »: The Moltaka al Ommahat Graduation |
| The emotional heart of our anniversary month was the graduation of 25 extraordinary women from our Moltaka al Ommahat (Mothers’ Gathering) program. Attended by Rita Sleiman, Brother Carlos, and our community Brothers (Guillermo, Carlos, and Jean Aimé), the ceremony focused on an emotional reflection: “Who I was before Moltaka, and who I have become today.” Faced with societal pressures that often tell women it is « too late to learn, » these graduates stood tall, proving that empowerment knows no age. Here are their voices: |
 Taghrid’s Story of Resilience Two weeks before graduation, Taghrid underwent surgery for breast cancer. She attended the ceremony standing strong, filled with faith. “I am so grateful to Fratelli and Moltaka,”Taghrid shared. “Without this program, I never would have detected my cancer early. Fratelli stood by me—offering psychological and medical support, accompanying me to the hospital, and holding my hand through every difficult moment.” |
 Rochda’s New Beginning After losing her husband, Rochda fell into deep isolation and depression. Her daughter insisted they register at Fratelli together. “At first, I didn’t think I belonged here,” Rochda reflected. “But soon, I found myself waiting eagerly for Wednesdays and Thursdays. This program gave me my confidence back and built my character. I’ve realized it is never too late in life to grow—I have just registered for the Arabic literacy course because I want to keep learning.” |
 Rabiha’s Light in the Dark Gripped by grief and depression after her husband’s passing, Rabiha admitted to having very dark thoughts. “I felt like life had stopped,” she said. “Coming to Fratelli changed my direction completely. I found a community, made deep friendships, and even discovered that some of my classmates were neighbors I had never spoken to before. I have learned to open my heart to the people around me again.” |
 Suzane’s Voice Navigating a highly challenging and overprotective home reality, Suzane looked to Fratelli as an escape. “Through this program, I became a positive person and built real social relationships. I overcame my depression and, most importantly, I learned how to say ‘no’ to things that are harmful to my well-being.” |
 During the celebration, these empowered women shared a vital dream for the future: they asked if Fratelli could expand to offer specialized speech therapy and learning support for children whose families cannot afford outside clinical care, alongside continuing the lifeline that is Moltaka al Ommahat. We finished the afternoon by honoring each graduate with a diploma and a special 10th-anniversary small gift of appreciation. |
| Healing & Unity: Celebrating the ANTI Program Final Day |
| Our ANTI program celebrated the conclusion of another deeply moving cycle. Surrounded by warmth and reflection, the participants gathered alongside Brother Guillermo and Brother Carlos to honor the emotional journey they walked together over the past months. The heart of the final day was a gratitude exercise titled « Thanks to you, I was able to… » Each participant wrote anonymous messages on colorful cards, expressing the quiet ways their peers offered comfort, inspiration, or a welcoming smile. As these notes were drawn from a box and read aloud, the room filled with gentle smiles, tears, and a profound sense of mutual appreciation. As program coordinator Reem shared in her closing address: « During this program, every one of you became part of someone else’s story. I hope you leave today remembering not only what this program gave you, but also what you gave to others. » |
 |
| Voices of Transformation: Rebuilding Strength from Within |
| The true impact of the ANTI program is written in the lives of the women—Lebanese, Syrian, and Palestinian—who found safety, dignity, and sisterhood inside our walls: |
| Aalia (Lebanese) Displaced from South Lebanon during the 2024 conflict, Aalia lost her home, stability, and peace of mind. « The ANTI Program gave me hope when I believed I had lost everything, »she shares. Having rebuilt her confidence, Aalia has now chosen to step up as a volunteer for Fratelli’s upcoming Summer Colony to support other women and children. Bahia (Lebanese) Accustomed to sitting on the sidelines due to a medical condition, Bahia found total inclusion at Fratelli. « The team thoughtfully adapted activities so I could participate alongside everyone else. At Fratelli, I never felt different—I felt valued. » Jourieh (Syrian) A former nurse in Syria who lost her sense of identity after fleeing conflict, Jourieh rediscovered her self-worth through psychosocial support. « Fratelli reminded me that I still have something valuable to offer my community, » she says. She is also joining our team as a Summer Colony volunteer! Tabarak (Palestinian-Syrian) Carrying deep emotional scars after living for years under ISIS control in Syria, Tabarak arrived at Fratelli feeling isolated. « For many years, I forgot what it felt like to smile, »she reflects. « Joining ANTI was the beginning of a new chapter… Fratelli gave me back my smile. » |
| From Healing to Giving Back |
| To see women who once arrived burdened by war, displacement, and grief now standing tall as confident community leaders—and stepping up to volunteer for our children’s summer activities—is the ultimate proof that healing is infectious. In a region marked by division, the ANTI program proves that when women are given a safe space to connect, fraternity overcomes every boundary. |
 A Message from Br. Guillermo: « We Celebrate Life » |
| Reflecting on the immense backgrounds of hardship our families come from, compounded by poverty, forced migration, isolation, and the trauma of recent conflict. Our director, Brother Guillermo, shared a powerful message during an interview this month: « The big dream and ultimate goal of Fratelli is for all of us, despite our differences, to live equally as brothers and sisters. This is our main mission. In our programs, we have Syrian, Palestinian, and Lebanese participants. We have different types of Christians, as well as Sunni and Shia Muslims living, sharing, and growing together under one roof. It’s true we are surrounded by conflict, but we cannot surrender and stop. We need to continue, and we need to celebrate life. » |
For 10 years, your generosity has kept our doors open. Today, as we look to a future where speech therapy, women’s empowerment, and psychosocial healing are needed more than ever, we ask you to stand with us: |
With hope and gratitude, Fratelli Project Lebanon |