Amel Annual Activity Report 2012

2012 Annual Report Amel Association International

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Table of Contents About Amel Association International �������������������������� 4 2012 Facts �������������������������������������������������������������������� 6 Amel in Lebanon ���������������������������������������������������������� 7 Our missions ���������������������������������������������������������������� 9 PRIMARY HEALTH CARE ������������������������������������������������������������� 11 EDUCATION ������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 13 CHILD PROTECTION ������������������������������������������������������������������� 15 YOUTH............................. ��������������������������������������������������������� 17 LIVELIHOOD..................... ��������������������������������������������������������� 19 RURAL DEVELOPMENT �������������������������������������������������������������� 21 MIGRANT DOMESTIC WORKERS ������������������������������������������������ 23 HUMAN RIGHTS ������������������������������������������������������������������������ 25 SYRIAN CRISIS ��������������������������������������������������������������������������� 27

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About Amel Association International Amel association is a civil, non-profit and non-sectarian association created in 1979 by Dr Kamel Mohanna and a group of physicians, intellectuals and journalists as a reaction to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1978 which ravaged the country. Its creation aimed to fight the deficiencies of the Lebanese society and provide an essential help to the most deprived.

Amel association international seeks to develop the human being regardless of his/ her origin, political and religious belonging, for a better and fairer world.

Amel association international became of public utility in 1994 after presidential decree (5832).

In 2010, Amel Association becomes international and opens a desk in Geneva, Switzerland. This initiative aims to bring to the international level a Lebanese voice, sharing its experience and improving its relationship with international actors.

Its 33 year experience in the fields of health, development and humanitarian action has allowed Amel Association International to gain the trust of the local population and henceforth its legitimacy, now recognised by many international and local actors.

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In this regard, Amel Association International implements programmes through 24 centres located in the poorest areas of Lebanon, in the fields of health, education, child protection, youth, livelihood, rural development, migrant domestic workers and human rights, and refugee support. Since 2011, Amel Association International is mobilised on the Syrian humanitarian crisis in Lebanon.

Amel carries its mission through: The 3Ps approach : Principles defining a Position that are put into Practice A moto: Positive Thinking and Permanent Optimism

Amel Association International has for object: • • • • • •

Promoting social, economic, civil and cultural rights for the underprivileged in Lebanon; Contributing to building a strong and mobilized civil society that shows solidarity in order to strengthen national unity and promote democratic values; Advocating and lobbying for the principles of human rights with the aim of ensuring social justice; Assisting and providing high-quality services to all (medical activities, rural development, trainings); Promoting equal rights and opportunities for all; Contributing to building a durable peace as well as a strong and united state through participating to lobbying actions privileging those reinforcing civil society at a national and regional levels and affirming the population’s rights. This object is the main one of Amel Association International.

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2012 Facts

100

170

More than

employees working for

Volunteers

the human being Centres spread across Lebanon

mobile clinic

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24 23 Projects

bringing health closer to people in need

25,600 Free health care services provided to the most deprived

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Amel in Lebanon

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Š SÊbastien Chatelier

Our missions

PRIMARY HEALTH CARE ���������������������������������������������� 11 EDUCATION ���������������������������������������������������������������� 13 CHILD PROTECTION ���������������������������������������������������� 15 YOUTH.............................. ������������������������������������������ 17 LIVELIHOOD...................... ������������������������������������������ 19 RURAL DEVELOPMENT ����������������������������������������������� 21 MIGRANT DOMESTIC WORKERS ��������������������������������� 23 HUMAN RIGHTS ��������������������������������������������������������� 25 SYRIAN CRISIS ������������������������������������������������������������� 27

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Š SÊbastien Chatelier

PRIMARY HEALTH CARE Through its health centers located in the Bekaa, South Lebanon and Beirut, Amel Association International provides a wide range of medical services to the marginalized populations in these areas.

Health care services cover a variety of specialities and include the following: • • • • • • • •

Pediatrics; Gynaecology; Pharmacy (distribution of medication); Laboratories tests; Physiotherapy; Radiology; Dental care; Ultrasound.

© Sébastien Chatelier

In addition to the above, a system of refarral to specialised doctors is put into place in all centres.

Moreover, education to health and awareness sessions are organised by social workers in order to inform the general public on topics sich as specific diseases or personal hygiene.

To ensure to each one access to vaccination, as well as to basic medicines, vaccination campaigns and drugs distribution are organised in colllaboration with the Ministry of Health, schools and local insitutions.

Amel Association International ensures to bring health care closer to those in need through its two mobile clinics located in the Bekaa. Each mobile clinic covers 10 villages and informal tented settlements.

‘‘Primary health care is at the core of Amel Association International’s action since its creation.’’

HIGHLIGHT ON: Promoting women and children right to health in South Lebanon through the reinforcement of healthcare andtheir quality.

This one-year project supported by the French embassy, within the framework of the Social Fund for Development, allowed Amel Association International: * To enhance the equipement of the centres located in Tyre, Bazourieh and Khyam; * To produce and disseminate leaflets and posters aiming at raising awareness on healt issues; * To organize awareness sessions for 3100 women in the centers and at home on health issues including nutrition, breastfeeding, etc.; * To offer to more than 600 women gynaecologic, paediatric and obstetric consultations, medical tests (for instance blood tests including toxoplasma), exams (for instance, mammography) and drugs (for instance, ante and pre natal vitamins. * To implement a vaccination campaign for the children.

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Š SÊbastien Chatelier

EDUCATION Amel Association International considers education to be a fundamental right of the human being and of children as it opens up new prospects for a better life. In this regards, educational projects have been developed over time and became one of the main programs of the association.

In most of Amel Association International’s centres, children of various nationalities (Lebanese, Sudanese, Iraqis, and Syrians) come to find support in their schooling curriculum. Indeed, they attend remedial classes in English, Arabic and Mathematics once they finish school. In 2012, more than 500 children benefitted from remedial classes and were given the tools and time to become bright pupils.

A comprehensive approach to education is adopted; it not only focuses on learning but it also aims to increase the awareness of children on certain topics. Indeed, social workers regularly organize awareness and counseling sessions on topics ranging from personal hygiene and healthy food to children’s rights and domestic abuse. Families are often included in these sessions for a better impact on the children’s interest.

A new type of program has been developed for Syrian refugee children as their situation is quite exceptional. The Back to School campaign has been led by Amel Association International in South Lebanon. Syrian refugee children have been provided with school kits containing: • $50 cash to pay school fees; • school supplies (pencil case, ruler, pencils, pens, eraser, and sharpener); and • $30 voucher to purchase cloths in a local shop.

‘‘Children are your future and the future of our society. They need the best of care and above all education.”’’

HIGHLIGHT ON: Mohammad has been teaching English in Amel Association International’s centre in Haret Hreik for some years nowm and still feels his is fulfilling his mission.

“ I started working with Amel with Iraqi students a few years ago… Now I teach mainly Syrians. I want to put my knowledge, as an English teacher, to the contribution of children with schooling difficulties. I always feel satisfy to spend time with children to help them and see them progressing. It shows that my efforts, involvement and time have been fruitful. I believe that, in Amel, we can make a difference.”

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© Claire Patard

CHILD PROTECTION Amel Association International is implementing Child protection projects in its educational centres, knowing that too many children face dire living conditions, violence and sickness.

Basing its intervention on a holistic approach, Amel Association International has developed several projects providing a wide range of activities which help children reach their potential. These projects include the following components: • Recreational activities: children express themselves through music, drawing, painting, handicrafts, drama, art thearpy and more; • Psychosocial support: it is offered to children in need and is done in close collaboration with parents in order to keep children in supportive and caring environments; • Counseling sessions: they are provided to both children and parents; • Awareness sessions: they target children, teenagers and their families in order to increase their knowledge about various topics ranging from recycling , cleanliness and respect to the importance of education and healthy food.

Parents do play an important role in raising up children; they hence represent a key component of Amel Association International’s projects.

‘‘While many children are in a vulnerable situation, Amel Association International aims to create a safe and peaceful environment where children can grow up in harmony.’’

HIGHLIGHT ON: Nour* is an nine-year old Syrian girl who comes three times a week to Amel Association International’s centre in Hay el-Sellom. There, she takes part to the Child Protection project implemented in partnership with UNICEF since the beginning of its implementation.

‘‘I have been coming to Amel for two years now. Here, I made a lots of friends. I love coming to the centre; we draw, we sing and dance. There are a lots of activities. Before coming to the centre, I used to work in a textile factory. But I stopped working ever since I go to the centre. I like it better...’’ * The name has been changed

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YOUTH AMEL Youth is one of Amel Association International’s most important programs for empowering young people, by working with them directly in the field on diverse projects.

Each year, Universities are holding NGO fair which presents a platform that instills in students the importance of community service and volunteerism. It is a chance for Amel Association International to introduce itself, sensitize students about its work, as well as to attract youth to volunteer. The main objectives of the NGO Fairs include increasing networking and resource exchange between NGO participation and encouraging the spirit of volunteerism among the youth and general public.

AMEL Youth has built very good and feasible relationships with European and Regional Youth Organizations as a part of the Euro-Med exchange program, which every year gives young people living in rural areas a greater exposure to international issues and ideas. In 2012, Amel Association International participated in a Youth Exchange program in Greece. Amel Association International had the chance to meet new people coming from a different country, culture and background.

In Haret Hreik Community Center, activities for youth took place for Iraqi, Sudanese and Syrian refugees, but also for Lebanese. The number of beneficiaries has raised up to 203, which is due to the increasing number of activities such as recreational activities (cultural competition, recycling, football club, cine club), workshops, as well English, Arabic, computer classes.

In 2012, AMEL youth organized a range of environmental events and activities named “Amel goes green” based around key environmental days: • 5 June: World Environment Day; and • 21 March: International Day of Forests and the Tree.

‘‘Amel Association International considers youth to be the key for all societies as they carry within themselves the power of hope, change and development’’

HIGHLIGHT ON: “One Day on Earth” screening.

In order to raise awareness on the need to protect our environment, and also to help sustain Amel Association Internaitonal and its activities, a fundraising has been organised. It took the shape of the screening of the documentery “One Day on Earth”.

“One Day on Earth” is the first film made in every country of the world in one day. It retraces life, from birth to death, and birth again.

The screening atracted lots of youth who were sensible to environmental issues and were supporting the association.

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© Hoda

LIVELIHOOD Since 2010, AMEL has established vocational training programs in order to allow for a significant and effective change in the lives of men, women and youth in marginalized areas, and to improve their chances of integration into the labor market.

In Amel Association International’s centre in Ain el-Rommaneh, refugee women of different nationalities come on a daily basis and work at the Mann Hiya cooperative. They manufacture jewels, accessories and hadicrafts using various materials such as verre soufflé, copper, metal and wood.These refugee women live in economic and social hardship, away from their home-land. By selling these products, it contributes to the promotion of their self-reliance and the enhancement of the socio-economic condition of their families.

Women are also provided with psychosocial and educational activities, such as Arabic, English and computer classes, psychological support, awareness sessions and drama therapy.

In Amel Association International’s centre in Haret Hreik, a project funded by the UNHCR is taking place and aims to build capacities and enhance skills of youths. In this regard, they are provided with: • Languages (English and Arabic) and IT classes; • Vocational trainings (handicrafts, hairdressing, mechanics, sewing, phone and computer maintenance, etc.); • Awareness sessions (HIV, drugs etc.); • recreational activities (Cine club, library etc.).

‘‘Amel Association Inernational follows a strategy that aims to improve personal skills and developing individual human capacity for all groups in society, especially women and youths’

HIGHLIGHT ON: Mobile maintenance training is offered to Amel Association International’s centre in Haret Hreik. A training comprises 16 sessions divided in two parts: * Hardware. Eight sessions focus on knowing the different body and electronic parts (description and function), using fixing equipments, finding and solving problems, and fixing parts seperately. * Software. Eight sessions focus on identifying operating systems, fixing bugs that might occur, and acquiring knowledge of operators’ tips and tricks.

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RURAL DEVELOPMENT Ebl El-Saqi is a small village in South Lebanon whose inhabitants suffer from severe economic hardship. The rural cooperative in Ebl el-Saqi was opened in order to create income generating opportunities for women and farmers alike.

In 2004, the agricultural cooperative of Ebl el-Saqi was launched as part of Amel Association International’s programme of rural development. The project aims to promote economic activity and improve the livelihood of rural families in South Lebanon through the manufacturing of soaps and the processing of medicinal herbs and essential oil.

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.

Giving women more autonomy to manage their own lives by improving their skills and promoting their integration into the labour market is one of Amel Association International’s objectives. Indeed, women are not only suffering as a result of hard living conditions but they are also sidelined by men when it comes to the technical and vocational training needed to run a small business. Amel Association International is working to help them integrate into the labor market through skills improvement. This orientation is consistent with the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) as women’s empowerment is officially recognized as a fundamental necessity to sustainable development and the realization of human rights for all.

‘‘Amel Association International provides the tools needed to assist individuals and groups seeking to improve the standard of living in non-urban neighborhoods.’’

HIGHLIGHT ON: The rural cooperative of Ebl el-Saqi is benefitting to many, making a real difference in their daily lives: * 320 women have been working since the establishment of the cooperative. * 280 women and farmers are currently working and benefiting from the project * More than 500 farmers have supplied the cooperative with olive oil.

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MIGRANT DOMESTIC WORKERS There are more than 200,000 migrant domestic workers in Lebanon. Many of these workers are at risk of exploitation since they are excluded from the Lebanese labor law and subject to immigration rules based on employer-specific sponsorship, known as the kafala system.

Amel Association International started its Migrant Domestic Workers (MDW) program in 2011 with the aim to protect and promote the rights of these people. This includes efforts to raise awareness about Human Rights Law and clarifying the duties and responsibilities of both employers and employees in Lebanon to prevent violations and abuses.

Migrant Domestic Workers are offered a safe space in Amel Association International’s centre in Ain elRommaneh, where they are provided with: • English classes; • Capacity-building workshops; • Awareness sessions; • Psychological support; • Legal support.

Moreover, Amel Association International launched a hotline (+961 70 921 414).

Since March 2012, Amel is part of a consortium of active NGOs (Caritas Lebanon Migrant Center, KAFA (enough) Violence & Exploitation, Insan Association, and Anti-Racism Movement) whose aim is to increase nationwide coordination of assistance to MDWs. They launched Fi Shi Ghalat, a national campaign that aims to raise awareness of the negative consequences of the sponsorship system (kafala) on both employers and Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWs).

‘‘Fighting against discriminations and protecting human beings are two of the missions of Amel Association International’’

HIGHLIGHT ON: Amel Association International has build a trusted relationship with MDWs which reflects the efficacity of its work towards them. Here are some facts: * 1224 women and men MDWs have benefitted from projects led by Amel Association International; * 15 sessions of empowerment acitivities have been conducted; * 12 drama therapy and awareness sessions have been conducted.

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HUMAN RIGHTS Amel Association International believes that young people have an important role to play in ensuring that the problems of the past do not repeat themselves. It is for this reason that, since 2005, Amel Association International has provided human rights training to young people from all communities across Lebanon.

In 2009, Amel House of Human Rights was created and aims to become a leading provider of high-quality human rights education and training in the Arab world, and a hub for knowledge, know-how and advocacy for legal protection.

As such, all of AHHR’s activities aim to advance knowledge and provide leadership in the field of international law, especially surrounding conflict and forced displacement. Additionally, AHHR focuses on emerging legal frameworks for business, trade and human rights, and on regional mechanisms for human rights in the Arab world.

Here is an overview of the main activities led by Amel House of Human Rights: • Summer School on Law and Armed Conflict: a training on law and armed conflict; • Specialized legal workshops (Weapons and International Humanitarian Law, Palestinian Refugee Rights in Lebanon, etc.); • Video Advocacy Action (VAA): a training on how to produce a video advocating for human rights and development; • Rightscast.net: a video platform to publish videos advocating human rights.

‘‘Lebanon’s record of human rights lacks credibility in a number of areas: not only is there gross inequalities based on ethnic, religious and gender lines, but social injustice is rife throughout the country’’

HIGHLIGHT ON: Trainees and beneficiaries share with us their testimonies on Amel House of Human Ritghs and its trainings: “I like the [Video Advocacy Action] training; everybody was very helpful. The most important thing now is the follow-up.”

Maryam, VAA trainee “[The AHHR Video Advocacy Action included] rich content and very exciting training. I hope to get more and more training from AHHR in the future.”

Ahmad, VAA trainee “Great training.Thank you to [the AHHR team] Tony, Wissam, Mourad and Hiba!”

Fatima, AHHR beneficiary

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SYRIAN CRISIS April 2012 has been a critical month for Amel Association International as it officially started to help Syrian refugees who have been continually seeking refuge into Lebanon. As for the end of 2012, there were 129,106 registered Syrian refugees according to the UNHCR. Amel Association International has been running different projects covering a variety of fields in order to help as many Syrian refugees as possible. Indeed, Syrian refugees were enabled to access health care services, educational programs (after school support and catch up classes), child protection, and vocational trainings.

Integrating this new people in our programs has put a lot of pressure on Amel Association Internatioal’s existing infrastructures and staff but the association is doint its best to answer the needs of all these newcomers. This challenge is taken up with an eagerness to relief these people.

The situation of urgency and distress into which Syrian refugees are living, often in poor living conditions and with little belongings, required an emergency relief to be brought to them. In this regard, distributions of the following items were organised: • food kits; • hygiene kits; • baby kits; • household supplies; • kitchen sets; • vouchers to purchase cloths.

Over 277 Syrian families (more than 1830 individuals) benefited from kits and vouchers.

‘‘Since April 2012 Amel Association International has been fully mobilized to alleviate this refugee crisis and bring comfort to Syrian refugees’’

HIGHLIGHT ON: Food and non-fond items have been provdided to many Syrian refugee families. Here is an example of what you can find in a food kit: * * * * * * * * * *

sugar (2 kg) & salt (0.5Kg) rice (6 kg) oil (6 L) hommos (6 cans) Fava beans (4 kg) Tuna (6 cans) pasta (6 kg) tea (0.5 kg) lentils (6 kg) Cheese (6 boxes) & potable water (12 bottles of 10 L)

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Our partners

European Union

Amel Association International Amel Bldg. - Daoud Abou Chakra Str. - Mussaitbeh Beirut - Lebanon Tel: +961 1 317 293/4 - +961 1 304 910 Fax: +961 1 305 646 Website: www.amelassociation.org Amel Association Amel NGO Amel Association International www.youtube.com/user/amelassociation