ACTIVITY REPORT
2010-2011
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AMEL CONTACTS AND DISTRIBUTION
Website: www. amelassociation.org Address:
Mussaitbeh - Daoud Abou Chacra Street - Amel Bldg. - Beirut - Lebanon
Phone:
+961 1 317 293-4 Fax++961 1 305 646
Email:
info@amel.org.lb
Facebook:
Amel Association
Twitter:
Amel NGO
Youtube:
www.youtube.com/user/amelassociation
Bank account: Fransabank- swift code : FFABLBBX -Account : 31769440 & 31769503
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Editorial Amel’s Identity Card What we aim for What we do Where we are
Health Care Medical dispensary Awarness sessions Psychological Support Focusing on discriminations in force in the Health Sector Children development Preserving children from (home) violence Providing awareness sessions to the adults Education
C O N T E N T S
Amel House of Human Rights Education Fostering leadership in human rights research and advocacy International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Criminal Law 1951 Refugee Law, Palestine Refugee Law and Statelessness Business, Trade, Multinational Corporations and Human Rights Arab regional framework for human rights protection
Development of Human Capacities Error! Bookmark not defined. Implementing vocational trainings Promoting Peace building initiative Empowering women Youth Program
Rural Development An initiative for rural development and female empowerment in Ebl el Saqi region
Refugees and Migrants Support Error! Bookmark not defined. Educational support for children and adolescents Vocational training and livelihood projects Psychosocial activities and support Community development services Migrant Domestic Workers
Financial report Governance Partners and Membership
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The years 2010 and 2011 have been overturned by numerous events that are changing the nature of the world. With the emergence of the Arab Spring, the world is undergoing a transitional phase that carries with it a lot of hope but also many questions. Amel is proud to see the values that we have defended for more than three decades are finally being supported by the whole of civil society.
E D I T O R I A L
We, the Arab people, are able to change our destinies by recovering our lost freedoms, and establishing democracies as a fair match between our aspirations and belief. This process is not going to happen overnight. It took the French people a century to implement structural changes. Shouldn’t we be confident and patiently watch for the benefits of the Arab spring? After all, history is time. In Lebanon, the situation remains volatile and daily life is still marked by communal divisions and international conflicts. In this context, susceptible to discrimination and inequality, and where the state is weak, Amel, which works for the most vulnerable sections of the population, continues its commitment to promoting equality and the right for all to express themselves and live with dignity in areas controlled by movements opposed to these values, and to build a democratic civil state founded on justice and equality. Moreover, we inaugurated the Center for Human Rights, “Amel House of Human rights�, in 2011 in order to develop our work in this field and to include advocacy. In 2010 and 2011, Amel Association International has accomplished its main objectives and was able to cope with most of the difficulties posed, in spite of a few constraints. In fact, political, economic and social weaknesses weigh heavily on issues of population, especially health, development and child protection; taking a particular toll, as always, on the poorest and most vulnerable in society. Moreover, Amel Association International is convinced that civil society in both the north and the south have to join their hands for the sake of the humanity as a whole. That is why Amel was honored to be officially recognized as an international NGO and get a registered office in Geneva. Furthermore, we had the chance to be invited to several congresses and meetings in France, Tunisia, Turkey and Egypt where we had the opportunity to spread and share the views of Amel Association International with the world. Thanks to the skill and commitment of our staff and to the crossfertilization between contributions from all our stakeholders, Amel Association International can aspire to fulfill its mission with precision and efficiency for the coming years.
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Amel Association International is a non-governmental Lebanese Amel has now organisation (NGO) created in 1979. become a pillar of Lebanese society; it Our singularity lies in our non-confessional system in a country where currently works in 3 all institutions, political systems and social relations rely on confessions. major areas through its 24 centers: The association was founded by people willing to fight the deficiencies of Lebanese society in the midst of the Lebanese civil war (1975-1990) providing services, that ravaged the country and destroyed an entire nation. taking action for development and Amel has worked with enthusiasm in social, medical, development and humanitarian fields. The promoting a culture Lebanese majority is now, more than ever, facing severe economic circumstances, especially of rights. those living in rural areas. Further, and perhaps more worryingly, confessional tensions are reaching levels unseen since the country’s declared independence. Amel has been involved for more than 30 years in Lebanon’s poorest regions: in Beirut and its southernsuburb, in Mount Lebanon and the Bekaa valley (Lebanon East), all the way to South Lebanon. It has always offered quality services in medical fields, psychosocial matters, vocational training, rural development, child protection and human rights promotion. -
With its more than 30 years experience in Lebanon, Amel became an International Association on December 15, 2010 and was registered at the directory of international NGOs. As a result it is in stronger position to share experiences around the world and strengthen its collaborations with other international NGOs. The objective of internalization is to reconnect the Northern and the Southern hemisphere with humanitarian objectives in order to work for the people’s interest and to take part in righteous causes targeting individuals, while at the same time keeping a distance from programmed agendas that aim to divide. Thanks to this new international orientation, Amel Association has built many partnership projects with different association from Egypt, Jordan, France, and Switzerland to name a few. Amel Association, armed with the trust given to it by the local community, has acquired recognition from international institutes.
Missions & values: Committed to the “3 P’s” theory : Principles defining a Position that we put into Practice, Amel aims to build a democratic and prosperous Lebanon, where the entire population, regardless of their confession, political ideology, social economic level or nationality will live in harmony ; a country where citizenship will become a real concept shared by all, and where fundamental rights (health, education, housing) will be provided by a state that will allow its citizens to live in dignity, free to think, to believe, to circulate and to speak up. The action revolves around 3 essential points that are related to a secular economy: The struggle for an equal distribution of wealth, The establishment of a righteous and equal society, since we are all living in the same world and are sharing the same destiny, Resisting neocolonialism in all its forms.
“Together for one nation and for the human being” 5|P a ge
I D E N T I T Y C A R D
W H A T W E A I M
1. Promoting social, economic, civil and cultural rights for the underprivileged in Lebanon. 2. Contributing to building a strong and mobilized Civil Society in order to strengthen national unity and promote democratic values. 3. Advocating and lobbying for the principles of human rights with the aim of ensuring Social Justice. 4. Assisting and providing high-quality services for everyone (medical activities, rural development, trainings) 5. Promoting equal rights and equal opportunities
F O R
W H A T
Health care Child Development Democracy and Human Rights Development of Human Capacity Rural development Refugees and Migrants support
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Statistics 2010 / 2011
24 Centers 170 employees
13 International Organizations & UN agencies
2010 Budget 1,740,209 $
4 Local Organizations, private and public
182 Vocational trainings
2011 Budget ????
S T A T I S T I C S 2 0 1 0
120 volunteers
* 2 0 1 1
87,938 Medical consultations
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W H E R E W E A R E
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Figures
87,938medical consultations have been held during 2010/2011 in Amel’s 13 Health Centers. Two free campaigns to examine diabetes, blood pressure, and disseminated free medications that targeted around 100 persons living in Baajour. Two “Helicobacter pylori infection examination” free campaigns were organized, during which free medications were provided to the infected.
Testimonies
Amel’s Health care program, is based on providing basic medical and health careon the one hand, and the dissemination of Health education and disease prevention on the other. Therefore, inits various centers, Amelis organizing educational events and seminars covering health issues in which people might be interested, through coordination with the government institutions and non-governmental organization as well as private clinics. In addition, Amel’s health centers are organizing free health campaigns such as vaccination campaigns, medicine distribution and laboratory testing, with the collaboration of schools and local institutions. 18000 16000 14000 12000 10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 0
Consultations 2011 Consultations 2010
Manal, Khiam
Because of “Amel workshops” that take place constantly in our village, I became a “professional Nurse”, working in Marjayoun Hospital. I participated in the workshop titled: “Introduction to Nursing” conducted by Dr “Mohamad Sleiman” who taught me the Joy of Giving through the nursing field, which I welcomed with passion as a career after being jobless for a number of years.
Amel Association International provides supportfor13medicalcenters across the Lebanese territory. Medical dispensary
A group of doctors and nurses of different specialties (including pediatrics, general medicine, cardiology, dermatology, orthopedics, dentistry, optometry, gastroenterology, and public surgery) are present to serve the local population. Furthermore, Amel provides medicines at affordable prices with the collaboration of the Ministry of Public Health, the Young Men's Christian
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H E A L T H C A R E
Association of Lebanon (YMCA) and the International Medical Corps (IMC). In addition to that, the French Social Development Fund (FSD) provided vaccinations to children. Awareness sessions
Raising awareness on the prevention of diseases is vital. That is why Amel spreads awareness of the importance of personal hygiene, sanitation, disease prevention and childbirth.
Educating the patients with easily accessible treatment for a disease can go a long way to improve the health of Lebanese citizens. Psychological support
Through Amel Health centers, patients with psychological issues receive appropriate treatments. The centre helps individuals and communities to heal psychological wounds and rebuild social structures after an emergency or a critical event.
Focusing on discriminations in the Health Sector workforce Amel focuses on improving the working conditions for health care staff. Encouraging the targeted medical structures to initiate protocols to improve the situation is part of the project “Enhancing status and working conditions of female health staff in Lebanon� that Amel launched during the past year with the collaboration of the European Commission and the Italian organization Cestas. This action also hopes to attract more women to nursing and other medical fields, thus filling a crucial gap in the Lebanese health care system
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Figures 200 children, 60 youth and 100 adults (parents) benefited from the program.
30
psychological
counseling
services were given to the children
25
staff of Amel and partners
were trained through Non-Formal education methodologies
Testimonies Fatme, 34 years old, Tyre (South)
«I started to change my behavior towards my children. The results were extremely and immediately positive... and I encourage all parents to adopt a new nonviolent attitude.”
Rim, 14 years old, Kamed el Loz (Bekaa)
“Violence against us has only two results: it makes us more stubborn, and creates behavioral problems in society”.
While many children stand in a vulnerable situation, Amel aims at creating a safe and peaceful environment where children can grow up in harmony. Besides the health services, Amel has developed several programs providing children with social, educational and recreational activities. Basing its intervention on a holistic approach, Amel has been working at different levels: activities and awareness for the children support for the parents and capacity building for the stakeholders (caregivers, educators, teachers…). The association provides special assistance and support through: - Production and diffusion of educational material regarding children Rights - Organization of recreational activities in the centers - Psycho-social support programs - Sensitization sessions and workshops targeting children, teenagers and their families.
In 2010 and 2011, several projects were developed in the frame of the the child development programme with the support of several partners such as: Save the Children Sweden, the French government and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
Preserving children from violence Child protection covers a wide range of important, diverse and urgent issues. Children have the right to be protected against neglect, violence, maltreatment, exploitation and any form of physical, emotional or sexual abuse. Amel is providing educational and vocational information accessible to all children in order to prevent them from any form of abuse. It has developed activities to enhance children self-esteem, communication skills as well as conflict resolution skills so that children find alternative ways to violence to solve conflicts and find a peaceful way to express themselves. In the mean time, Amel is working with the whole community (caregivers, educators, parents …) on this issue. 11 | P a g e
C H I L D D E V E L O P M E N T
Awareness on children rights and recreational activities Through games and recreational activities, Amel raises awareness on children rights. Amel also aims at promoting friendship, tolerance and respect among children through teamwork, educational and recreational activities to facilitate children’s full understanding of their rights and improve children’s well-being. Indeed, a lot of children don’t have access to recreational and cultural activities. Amel is providing them with a safe place where, under the supervision of educators, children can express themselves freely and play together.
Providing parental support Parents figures provide guidance to the children. They protect the child from harm and help them take a rightful place in the adult world. That is why Amel is also sensitizing the children’s parents or relatives on children rights and providing parental support. Amel believes that an education that respects the child development phases and that is supported by a good communication between parents and children is a key-factor to enhance the capacities and abilities of children.
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Figures Training of 60 youths from different backgrounds on peacebuilding and community services to give them a space for exchange of experience andinformation, networking, dialogue and building connections, in addition to the implementation of“Community Projects” by Lebanese Iraqi youth themselves.
Testimonies “Summer School on Law and Conflict, 11th - 22nd July 2011" Ahmad: “Enriched my mind with priceless information not found anywhere, conveyed by the most distinguished of experts in the field of International Humanitarian Law. A one-of-a-kind, very successful experience indeed. We look forward to seeing it progress and expand into a regional and hopefully international version”. Youssef, 31 years old, Beirut Actually, it was one of the greatest opportunities that I have ever had. It opened new prospects, in which I could find myself able to follow different paths to success, as well as new ways of serving my Palestinian national case, in addition to fulfilling my humane interests. I do believe that it was an excellent activity, introduced me to wonderful new friends, and helped me todevelop a new way of thinking in my future and career.
As an expression of its commitment to the principles of human rights, since 2005, Amel Association has organized periodical educational sessions and seminars on civil rights, citizenship, peace-building, international justice, democracy, and other related issues, targeting mainly the youth of Lebanon in order to promote a dialogue among all categories of Lebanese society and to create a space for exchanging experiences, information, communication and dialogue and to build trust among these various groups. With the opening of the Centre for Human Rights in 2011, Amel has developed its work in this field to include advocacy campaigns and other programs. The Association works to achieve social justice, to contribute to the promotion of equal opportunities between males and females in Lebanon, and to combat all forms of discrimination based on religion, race or gender, and defend the rights of workers and refugees.
H O U S E O F
Education Amel House of Human Rights (AHHR) is providing high quality short courses of one or two weeks for legal practitioners, academics, members of government and civil society and human rights advocates. The 2011 Summer School on Law and Armed Conflict aimed to provide law graduates as well as researchers and activists in Human Law with the right legal expertise to protect civilians and refugees during armed conflicts and emergencies. It aims also to teach them the documentation of facts and legal violations at times of conflict in law offices, research centers and international, local or regional organizations. AHHR seeks to strengthen its capacity to deliver this form of educational program on each of the issues of intervention mentioned above. Fostering leadership in human rights research and advocacy AHHR seeks to promote human rights specialization and expertise in the long-term career goal of law graduates and human rights advocates. Towards this purpose, each educational program is to be followed by grants for research or an internship with comprehensive supervision. Additionally, we believe that providing high quality legal education for the jurist community, human rights advocates and public servants in MENA countries has an inherent advocacy dimension. Advocating 13 | P a g e
H U M A N R I G H T S
change in laws, policy protection, respect for rights and advancing human rights concepts can only stem from sound knowledge in these concepts, which at present, is severely lacking. International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Criminal Law One of Amel’s specific objectives is to disseminate international humanitarian law and international criminal law knowledge, with an emphasis on implementation of IHL in Middle Eastern conflicts in order to advocate respect for IHL in the Middle East. The target group includes law graduates, journalists, human rights advocates and public servants in Lebanon and the MENA region. 1951 Refugee Law, Palestine Refugee Law and Statelessness Advancing law graduates’ knowledge of the legal implications of forced migration and statelessness; fostering public action in refugee protection. The target group includes law graduates and human rights advocates in Lebanon. Business, Trade, Multinational Corporations and Human Rights Amel is trying to build and disseminate knowledge of the international legal framework for protection and human rights governing the work of business, corporations and trade, including socio-economic rights, the impact of national debts on human rights, and the currently developing Ruggie Framework. The target group includes law graduates, journalists, human rights advocates and public servants in Lebanon and the MENA region. Arab regional framework for human rights protection Building and disseminating knowledge on the newly formed Arab regional framework for human rights protection embodied in the Arab Charter on Human Rights; Lobbying the Lebanese government to ratify the Arab Charter on Human Rights. The target group includes Human rights advocates, Lebanese government, media and public servants in Lebanon and the region.
Please visit the Amel House of Human Rights website https://amelhumanrights.wordpress.com/
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Figures Amel recruited and trained 100 young people from both areas who will form 5 intercommunity teams of 20 YP that will participate in all subsequent activities together In 2010 and 2011,
182young
people and adults received vocational training in our centers.
Testimonies Zeina, 40 years old, Hay El Selom “I gave the girls who came to the center haircut and beauty courses (eyebrows, thread). I worked with fifteen students. These girls were eager to learn, they were enthusiasti and most managed to find work in hair salons or work at home. Some have even managed to open a beauty and hair salon. They are currently financially independent and can eventually be self-sufficient” Fadia, 33 years old, Chiah. "We had the opportunity to meet with the ladies from Ain El Remmaneh centers. We gathered several times, we also learned to communicate with each other, which made us close to one another. Finally, we learned that, despite everything, we are all the same. In the near future, we look forward to participating in a similar project.”
Amel Association follows a strategy that aims at improving personal skills and developing individual human capacity for all groups in society, especially women and young people. Since ,Amel has establishedvocational training programs in many of its centers, which provide educational and training courses in languages and computer, artisanal and liberal professions in order to make a significant difference to the lives of men, women and youth in marginalized areas, and to improve their chances of integration into the labor market. On the national level, Amel seeks to raise the level of vocational training and its methodology through introducing new and innovative approaches that will increase the effectiveness of training courses for its workers and beneficiaries. In 2010 and 2011, the Development of Human Capacities programme has been implemented with the collaboration of several partners: The European Commission, The Canadian Funds for Local Initiatives (CFLI), Mercy Corps, the Institute for IslamoChristian Studies, Saint-Joseph University (USJ) and the American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA). Implementing vocational trainings Amel aims to strengthen vocational trainings and educational training program on three different levels: theinternal level, traininglevel and the national level. On the internal level, the project seeks to reinforce the association’s management methodsbyproviding it with innovative tools to evaluateand monitor its own vocational training program development. While, on the training level, the quality of the trainings provided were enhanced.The skills of both the trainers and trainees among Amel staff were ameliorated through Non-Formal education methodologies and “on the job training” activity.On the job training experience is the best way for the trainees to gain an experience that facilitates and increases their future chances of getting a job. Finally, on the national level, Amel will coordinate with different stakeholders and national authorities to participate in developing a national framework for such a project. English Language, French Language, Hair dressing and Make up, Computer Literacy, Glass Painting and Flower decorations, Chocolate Design, Home-economy, Sewing/embroidery/handicrafts, Typing Course, Internet Course, and Tattoo and Foot Care are set up.
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D E V E L O P M E N T O F H U M A N C A P A C T I E S
The direct beneficiaries are mainly women of two underserved areas in Lebanon; Bekaa Valley (Ersal, Al Ain and Shmostar) and South Lebanon (Tyre and Bazourieh).
Promoting Peace building initiative Children and young people represent the future of the country. Therefore, promoting Peace building initiatives among youth is a necessity in order to protect their rights, give them justice, and improve their psychosocial well-being in the regions of Ersel (Bekaa), Kamed el Loz (Bekaa), Tyr (South) and Chiah (Southern Suburbs of Beirut), where the project “Toward a peaceful and safe environment for children and youth� is being implemented. In Chiyah and in Ain el-Remmaneh, community-based dialogue and joint activities that respond to economic and social needs have been implemented. All activities were paired with dialogue led by 10 local priests and imams. Skilled inter-faith facilitators from the University of Saint Joseph developed the curriculum for the entire program and helped guide and mentor local religious leaders and youth participants. Additionally, special efforts were made to ensure the participation of women and girls in all activities. Empowering women Women are still much more likely than men to be poor and illiterate. Improving the skills of women through capacity building and income generating activities in order to promote their integration into the labor market is one of Amel’s objectives.
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Youth Program
AMEL YOUTH is one of AMEL's most important programs for empowering and young people, by working with them directly in the field, on diverse projects likepeace-building, literacy classes, psychosocial support, sexual and reproductive health, gender equality, and capacity building workshops. Moreover, AMEL YOUTH had built very good and feasible relationships with European and Regional YOUTH Organizations as a part of the EuroMed exchange program, which every year givesyoung people living in rural areas a greater exposure to international issues and ideas.Most importantly they benefit from the cultural interaction and diversity they experience within their participation. Moreover, the opportunities and the connections they build providea solid ground for as theylook for future work, education and social opportunities. AMEL YOUTH programme is led entirely by AMEL youth volunteers, who enrichthe program and guarantees its future progress and sustainability.
2010/2011 Vocational Trainings Al Ain Hair dressing Ersal
Dress Making handicrafts sensitization sessions
Al Bazourieh
French language Make up Health Care Assistant
Hay El Selom
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
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Figures 280
women were involved in Ebl El Saqi agricultural cooperative from the regions of Rashayya El Fekhar and surroundings.
Amel provides the tools needed to assist individuals and groups seeking to improve the standard of living in nonurban neighborhoods. Amel began working in this area in 2004 with the establishment of an agricultural cooperative in the village of Ebl El-Saqi in South Lebanon. The project aims to promote economic activity and improve the livelihood of rural families in the south of Lebanon. The program also includes training in soap production and the processing of medicinal herbs and essential oils, which280 women and a farmer from the village of Ebl El-Saqi benefited from. Amel also provided the cooperative with the technologies, equipment and marketing strategies necessary to help them achieve self-sufficiency. In 2010 and 2011, the Rural Development program was implemented with the collaboration of several partners: The European Commission, Africa 70 and the Swiss Agency for development and cooperation.
Testimonies Nour, 24 years old, Ebl El Saqi “Through the Ebl El Saqi agricultural cooperative, I learned how to make jam, pickle, and juice. We also worked in the process of packaging and production of olive oil soap�.
An initiative for rural development and women empowerment in Ebl el Saqi region Ebl Saqqi is a small village in south Lebanon whose inhabitants suffer from a hard economicsituation. The rural cooperative in Ebl el Saqi was opened in order to create income generating opportunities for women and farmers. Giving women more autonomy to manage their own lives by improving their skills and promoting their integration into the labor market is one of Amel’s objectives. When it comes to the technical and vocational training required to run small businesses, women are often sidelined in favor of men. In Ebl el Saqi and surrounding areas, Amel is offering women the chance to learn the skills requiredfor production of natural and handmade soaps. Women's empowerment, one of the Millenium Development Goals (MDG), is fundamental to sustainable development and the realization of human rights for all.
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R U R A L D E V E L O P M E N T
Figures 1250
children, young people
and adolescents benefited from the program.
120
children in public and
private schools benefited from awareness and psycho-social activities in the framework of the school clubs.
75
teachers from public and
private schools benefited from training on child protection, alternative to violence, and inclusive and active learning.
Testimonies
Jamila, 18 years old, Haret Hreik "I came to Amel association in April 2011. Before that I felt sad. I am now with other women, I feel happy. I like very much the English lessons and computer lessons. I forget all my troubles when I come to this association and I have a nice time here". Amani, 22 years old, Ain el Remmaneh "I am very happy in this center, we learned different things. Teachers are very good and kind; they explain everything very well and slowly in simple ways. English lessons are the most interesting of all; we read write, discuss and practice. In every lesson we learn new words and increase our vocabulary. I know many people from different places Iraq, Lebanon and Sudan. We are all friends now”.
Amel Association is implementing the “Support to refugees” program in the Community Centers in Haret Hreik and Ain el Remmaneh. By using a human rights and community-based approach, AMEL contributes to strengthening the capacity and improving the well-being of Iraqi and Sudanese refugees, as well as refugees from other nationalities living in Lebanon. AMEL promotes refugees’ right to education by providing children, adolescents and adults with educational support and literacy classes. Selfreliance and professional integration of refugees is also promoted through life skills, vocational trainings and livelihood activities. In order to enhance the psycho-social well-being of refugees, Amel provides recreational activities, psychological support and awareness sessions at its Community Centers for Refugees. Amel facilitates the access of refugees to information related to their rights and the services they can benefit from. Moreover, Amel contributes to raising awareness among the host community about the situation of refugees and their rights in Lebanon by organizing awareness activities and inter-community events. In 2010 and 2011, the support to refugees programme has been implemented with the collaboration of several partners: UNHCR (United High Commissioner for Refugees), Save the Children – Sweden, UNICEF (United Nations fund for Children), Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and HELP- NGO. Educational support for children and adolescents Refugee children face face many difficulties in adapting to the Lebanese educational system. In order to enhance their integration in schools and to prevent dropouts, refugee children received after school support classes as well as remedial classes at AMEL Community Centers. A close follow-up has been established with parents and schools in order to tackle, in comprehensive ways, children’s educational difficulties.
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R E F U G E E S & M I G R A N T S S U P P O R T
Vocational trainings and livelihood projects Youth and adults benefitted from English and Arabic courses as well as vocational training in several fields to provide them with professional skills. During 2010 and 2011 several vocational trainings were organized on computer maintenance, cell-phone maintenance, hairdressing, sewing, making accessories and graphic design. Refugees also received tool kits for job orientation sessions and benefited from internship opportunities that will facilitate their integration in the local market. Sewing and accessories made by refugee women have been promoted in the local market and have contributed to the promotion of women’s self-reliance and the enhancement of their socioeconomic conditions. Psychosocial activities and support Through AMEL Community center, refugees from different age groups have received social and psychological counseling. They participated in workshops on music therapy and art therapy. They discussed and shared their concerns and problems with other refugees through the framework of support provided by discussion groups. Community development services Cultural events, recreational activities, gatherings and outings were organized on a regular basis and enhanced the wellbeing of refugees and allowed them to better cope with daily pressures and difficulties. These activities also encouraged the integration process of refugees within the local community. Children, adolescents and adults benefited from several awareness sessions on child protection, child abuse, violence, health issue, nutrition, parenting, first aid and positive punishment as an alternative to violence. Moreover, during 2010 and 2011, AMEL promoted community selfmanagement and empowerment through the organization of workshops on leadership, life skills and project planning and refugees actively took part in the planning and implementation of the activities by electing representatives from their communities.
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Migrant Domestic Workers AMEL is known for its three decade struggle for human rights for any vulnerable and victimized community. Recently, new violations against MDWs in Lebanon were brought to light. As a quick response, AMEL joined a regional project to work on protecting MDWs in Lebanon, by making a legal status change to consider them under a new special law. In parallel it worked on providing community needs, as a legal consultancy, health consultancy and psychosocial support. Moreover AMEL will start working on literacy classes for the MDWs, accompanied by drama therapy sessions, and this is based on our experience and belief that the real protection for any community is education about rights and duties. Empowerment is guaranteed to be sustainable. AMEL is aware of different national campaigns working to protect the same community, and thus, it established a network between the related NGOs, GOs, ISF, Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Justice, as well as OHCHR and ILO, for bringing all the stakeholders to agree on one agenda in order to enhance their work and make sure they build on what is already in place rather than reinventing the wheel.
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For 2012, a fundraising strategy will be launched in order to ensure the financial stability while remaining faithful to the principle of association. It is in fact extremely rare for an NGO in Lebanon not to receive any funding from political parties or religious organizations. The diversification of our portfolio of donors we will ensure greater stability and predictability of funds for greater freedom of action.
For now, in 2010, 46.7% of our income came from International Organizations Subsidies, among other from UNHCR and the European Union. One of our prides is to count on Beneficiaries participation for as much as 33.3% of our income, mainly contribution to medical consultations. In effect, AMEL’s philosophy is not to provide free health services to the population (except for short time prevention campaigns) but to give access to health services at an affordable price for underprivileged people. This is how we differentiate ourselves from charity and how we make beneficiaries involved and keep their self-esteem.
R E P O R T
Income by source 2010
6.2%
9.9%
Donations Beneficiaries' contribution 33.3% 46.7%
F I N A N C I A L
Government International organization Internal Ressources
3.8%
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Expenditures 2010
35.3%
Support Fundraising Services
63.4% 1.3%
As we can see, the current activities of AMEL are still strongly linked to the chore activity of AMEL which is access to health. In effect, close to half of our services expenditures (49.3%) were oriented towards health activities. Nevertheless more than half of our services expenditures go now towards other fields of activities, complying with AMEL’s choice to involve in long term development activities. The three major fields of development activities other than health in 2010 were Refugees Support (25.5%), Child Development (15%) and development of capacities. Democracy and Human Rights were at their early beginning in 2010 which explain the low share in the expenditures. Rural development is also one field to be developed.
Personal donations 2010 Ramadan's Campaign
Tyr Gala Dinner
Khiam Gala dinner 0
Personal donations 2010
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
Khiam Gala dinner
Tyr Gala Dinner
Ramadan's Campaign
21,378
4,700
16,508
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Legal structureof Amel International
General Assembly - 128 members
Director Comittee - 12 members
President Department of Program Development: communication partnership studies fundraising
Executive Director
Department of Administration and Finances
Programs Unity
Health Care
Development of human capacities
Child Development Rural Development
24 Centers
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G O V E R N A N C E
Health care: In the coming spring - summer Amel - Khiam is planning to initiate a new campaign against breast cancer (public lectures. brochures and sponsored tests). We will continue the emergency service that we are providing in order to ensure public safety and health for the local population and surrounding areas. Child development: Home violence and children’s rights will still be part of our priorities. Furthermore, we will do more training and activities with parents and children in order to reduce violence. Refugees support: We will continue the vocational trainings and livelihood projects, psychosocial activities and community development services. But we will emphasize the integration of refugees in the local communities. Migrant Domestic workers support: Awareness raising, drama therapy, capacity building.
P R O S P E C T S
Gender: Training and sensitization workshops on gender discrimination (60 people are targeted). We are beginning a media campaign and editing a booklet (training manual) Development of human capacities: Access to the labor market, vocational training, access to cultural activities, enhancement of a culture of human rights and citizenship, focusing on our projects with young people. Rural Development: Marketing support for rural producers. Amel House of Human Rights: Yearly regional Summer School on Law and Armed Conflict (two-weeks) followed by participant research; a conference on the upcoming Arms Trade Treaty; a conference on multinational corporations and human rights. Our centers: In order to provide the best services to our patients, the development of the capacity of centers (activities, equipments etc.) is going to be in the foreground of our action this year.
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F O R 2 0 1 2
V Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do O something‌‌Volunteering is a way to serve the community by answering an inner call. L More than a hundred volunteers and interns are working hard every year to promote the values and principles of AMEL on the field. U We would like to thank all of the countless international and local dedicated volunteers and interns over the years that have helped and continues to make AMEL a success. N AMEL could not accomplish it’s work without the commitment, the energy and the humanitarian efforts of our volunteers and interns. T E Thank you! E R S
& I N T E R N S
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WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OUR PARTNERS AND DONORSFOR 2010 AND 2011
List of memberships
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Your contribution is essential to helping the most disadvantaged sectors of the population in Lebanon. By making a donation to Amel Association, you can be sure that your money will be used efficiently to help those who need it the most. There are many ways you can give financial support to our actions: ď ś By check: Send us a check at Amel Association Abou-Chakra Street Mousseitbeh Beirut-Lebanon P.O. Box 14-5561 Chouran ď ś By cash or money transfer: You can make your donation to our Bank Account No. Franssabank- Chiah 31769440 Swift Code: FFABLBBX
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