Key Person: Izdihar Kasis
I had a WhatsApp conversation with Izdihar on 24th December 2024.
.jpg)
The bombing of the Zahle area by Israelis in retaliation for the Hezbollah attacks has severely affected the area. People have been forced to stay at home and not move about.
The TFF building has been damaged and for several months they were not able to operate. In the last four weeks they have repaired the building and just before Christmas they began running their programmes again. There are now three new projects that did not exist last year: literacy programmes for women; car mechanic training for young men; and special education for top students, preparing them for university entrance.
They are praying that the cease fire will hold, and the large-scale bombing will not continue. It is hard to know how the ongoing issues in Syria will continue to affect them in the future. It is very volatile and unstable, and they are constantly in prayer for the “peace” to hold.
There are about 2 million Syrian refugees still in Lebanon. Only about 3,000 have returned so far because of the current situation there. It is not likely that many, if any, of the people they work with will return. They have nowhere to go back to there, their homes have been destroyed, or others have taken them. Many of the young people have been born in Lebanon so this is home for them now. Many have become Christians, so they do not want to go back to a Muslim environment. Going back for most would add another layer of trauma.
.jpg)
Izdihar and her husband were in the USA with their two children for a few weeks in early December and returned to Lebanon before Christmas. They are well, the break from the stress was great but now, she is busy getting the programmes up and running again, bringing her people together and motivating them.
Their team of about 40 people is very united and capable and make good decisions. They feel strong enough to continue the work and develop it.
Lana is one of the girls who graduated from the nursing program at the TFF Association. Izdihar met with her the day before Christmas.
Izdihar reports, ”I asked her why she and her family didn’t return to Syria. Don’t you feel safe there now? She began to cry as she responded, "I am a new person now. I have experienced so much in my life, and I have completely changed. If I return there, my family will force me to marry someone I don’t love as part of a deal with my father. My husband will force me to practice the old religion, which I no longer wish to return to. I want to continue my study, become a doctor, and help anyone in need of care. And even though I live here in a tent, I can still practice my new faith and freedom."
This is the reality for girls who have only known Lebanon as their home. They have spent 14 years here, and for them, going back to a life of female subjugation in a conservative Islamic society has become impossible.
.jpg)
Partnership's Influence within the CommunityIt is hard to measure right now, but they are communicating with most of the families and are able to supply items like nappies, infant formula and clothing.
They have repaired the damaged centre, and it is operational but will require some further work. It is very hard to make any plans, and they are living from day to day.
Another BHW team member is planning to visit around May 2025. The budget should remain the same until someone can get there.
Things have been very difficult because of the bombing, and it is also the middle of winter.
There are still shortages of many essential services and goods, and prices go up every day. It is also hard to purchase bulk items.
1) That they have been able to stay in contact with most of the families during this difficult time
2) That 83 families have been assisted in the past year
3) That they will be able to start meeting with the families again soon as their programmes pick up