IC Spirit IC NEWSLETTER
Letter from our VP for Alumni
Leading Through Conflict
The New President’s Commitment to Education
Return The Athletic Open Court Program
Children of Lebanon a 7th Grader’s Plea for Peace
In The Shadow Of The Missiles IC Physical Plant Workers Come To Work Q & A with Nawal Haddad,
Board of Trustees
Donald J. Selinger, Chairman
Imad Taher, Vice Chairman
John Khabbaz, Treasurer
Bayard Dodge, Secretary
Gerrit Keator, Assistant Secretary
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Adelman
Selim A. Bassoul
Wael O. Bayazid ‘70
Frederik O. Crawford
Walid Daouk ‘76
T.M. (Mac) Deford
Dr. Samer Doughan ’83 (Ex-Officio)
Amal A. Ghandour
Keith Gillespie
Melissa Gordon
Marylana Saadeh Helou ‘04
Marwan A. Marshi ‘79
Dr. Safwan Masri
John G. McCarthy, Jr. Chris McGrath
Maher Mikati ’98
Mirna B. Noujaim
Mouhamad Rabah
Ian Reed
Matthew A. Reynolds
Mutaz Sawaf ‘69
Talal K. Shair ‘83
Dr. Rabih Shibli
Maya Tohme (Nassar)
From the Front Lines to Saving Lives: Two Best Friends Fundraise for Ambulances
Healing the Invisible Scars: EMDR Group Therapy in Times of War
Bedayati: IC Alumna Uses Her NGO Kitchen to Feed the Displaced
The Day After: NAMA Relief – A Platform for Socialpreneur Relief Empowerment
Q & A with Moufid Beydoun, Vice President for Alumni & Major Gifts THE RELIEF
Once They Had A Home
From Classroom to Kitchen: Teachers Cook for the Displaced Giving Back: ICAA Ramps Up Efforts in Response to Crisis
The Parents’ Committee: Supporting War Relief Efforts
A Special Tribute to the Pilots of Our IC Community –Alumni and Parents
IN MEMORIAM EVENTS AND DINNERS
Alumni
Trustees Emeriti
Makram N. Alamuddin ‘61
Anwar Al Mulla ‘63
Mohamad S. H. Al Soleiman ‘59
Khalid Al-Turki ‘61
Mona Bawarshi ‘67
Said S. Darwazah ‘76
Peter H. Gerard
Issam Shammas ‘63
William H. Turner
Anthony Jones
Aida Reed (Luce)
Richard Ward
Tobin Wait – President Moufid Beydoun ‘64 – Vice President for Alumni & Major Gifts
Nawal Haddad - Vice President for Academic Affairs
Talal Jundi ‘86 - Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Dr. Mahmud Shihab – Vice President for Educational Development and Technology
Zeina Abou Khalil – Director, Lower School, Ain Aar
Maya Chebaro ‘05 - Director, Middle School
Tania Hayek – Director, Human Resources
Malda Halawi– Interim Director, Secondary School
Kathy Khayatt – Director, Elementary School
Lara Kmeid - Director, Upper School, Ain Aar
Dr. Ghada Mahdoun ‘97 – Director, Preschool
Letter from our VP for Alumni & Major Gifts LETTER
Our beloved country, already burdened by many challenges, has endured one of the most tumultuous periods in its history. The devastation and loss of life and property inflicted by this war have been horrific. We witnessed thousands of displaced individuals settling in empty buildings and schools all over the country. We saw their helplessness and sorrow. In response, we have dedicated this entire issue to sharing how IC has played a role during the war—through its education, relief efforts, alumni actions, and fundraising initiatives.
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to our leadership team and teachers who continued lessons just one day after the war broke out, implementing a hybrid learning model. Thanks to our advanced infrastructure, including highdefinition smart boards, IC was uniquely prepared for this. This technology enabled online students to feel physically present in the classroom. I witnessed this firsthand when I visited one of my granddaughter’s classes. The teacher skillfully engaged with both the in-class students and those online. When I walked in, one of the little girls on the screen called out, ‘Jiddo Moufid!’—the picture was that clear!
This issue also features a very special tribute to all the MEA pilots in the IC community who continued flying despite the bombing near the airport. They risked their lives, enabling many to find safety abroad and stay connected to the world. We cannot thank them enough.
I would also like to thank each and every one of you who contributed to our Together We Stand Fund. This fund was created to support those faculty and staff displaced from their homes—whether due to damage or danger in their areas. Without them, we could not have continued classes.
Finally, I extend our thoughts and prayers to all those in our IC community who have lost loved ones. Please accept our deepest sympathy and know that we stand by you during this difficult time. And to those rebuilding their homes: May your strength and resilience guide you, and may you find hope in the process.
And to all, I wish you a much-needed season of peace.
Best regards, Moufid
Beydoun ‘64
LEADING THROUGH CONFLICT:
The New President’s Commitment to Education
Technically speaking, IC’s new president, Tobin Wait, leaped from the fire into the frying pan. But that is not how he sees it
“We are here for a reason,” he stated amiably.
Just four years ago, in the dark hours of a Saturday morning, the Wait family fled their home in Big Creek, California, with flames rushing at their heels. (Record-breaking temperatures and dry conditions caused fires in the West, including two of California’s largest).
The fire ravaged the community, destroying half of the homes, including the Wait family’s. Just like that, they were left homeless. After a stint with various relatives, they moved to the Gulf, where Wait became the head of the American International School of Kuwait.
Fast forward to 2024, when Wait, accompanied by his wife, Stephanie, arrived at IC to become the school’s 19th president. It was not by any means his first trip to this sun-kissed Mediterranean country. The father of four college-age students (Cameron, Madeline, MacKenzie, and Carson) had already visited Lebanon. And very simply (and to us, understandably), he had fallen in love with it. At the time, he was accompanying his students from the Kuwait school who were participating in an athletic competition with IC and ACS. Lebanon, he was told, was a frightening country. The Lebanese may not welcome this American fellow and his students.
“Well,” he said, “We had never felt more welcomed. We had the time of our lives.”
When asked once again to endure the “hardship” of accompanying the Kuwaiti students to Lebanon, Wait was the first one on that plane. “We ended up visiting so many places in the country,” he recalled. “I absolutely loved it.”
Then, one day, he learned that the position of IC president was open. In August 2024, Toby and Stepanie Wait landed in Lebanon. In September, Israel began its onslaught.
Hundreds of displaced fleeing their homes in the south, Bekaa and Dahieh, descended on the city. Among them were members of the IC community. The couple found themselves gazing into the anguished eyes of the newly homeless. They saw the pain. The despair. It was a haunting reminder.
Not that he was comparing. Nothing could possibly compare to war. “I have never experienced war on my own soil,” he said. “So I cannot begin to comprehend what our teachers and staff are going through.”
But nothing could persuade the couple to leave the country. Not the rattling windows. Not the sound of explosions. Not the U.S. Embassy, which called frequently to urge evacuation. Not the concerned friends and relatives urging them to come home. Not even their children, to whom he had been preaching about the sacredness of commitment, could change his mind.
“When you’re in a leadership position, you must lead from the front. You can’t lead from the back or just sit on the sidelines,” he said. “It’s important to me that I never ask anyone to do something I’m not willing to do myself.”
“ Being a leader is also being a servant and I truly believe we are here to serve others, not to be served. Especially when leading in a crisis. ”
There is a reason for everything—he holds this belief with conviction. He feels certain that he and Stephanie were meant to be in Lebanon at this time, especially after the California fire that drastically changed their lives.
The fire taught him that life must go on as normally as possible. The K-8 school he led in California survived the fire, but the students had scattered to different states. For several days, he reached out to parents, urging them to bring their children back to school, and launched online classes for those who couldn’t return.
Now, in Lebanon, the time had come to regroup the dispersed IC community.
“Being a leader is also being a servant,” he said. “And I truly believe we are here to serve others, not to be served. Especially when leading in a crisis.”
And so, IC reopened its doors. Those who can come to class do. Those who can’t follow online. Now, true to its spirit, IC continued classes almost flawlessly.
Wait was taken aback and astounded at the incredible amount of technology and the tremendous investment made in this area. “We’re the only school in the country with the capabilities to run synchronous hybrid learning with highly trained teachers,” he said. “I have never seen this at any school that I have been to. It’s remarkable.”
To further provide some sense of normalcy to students and being an avid athlete himself, Wait opened the campus for “open sports.” (With the resumption of face-to-face classes, tryouts were held once again).
“The one thing we have is 100% control over our attitude,” he said. “We can’t let the war dictate what we are going to do. We are going to carry on.”
The IC spirit had already caught his attention. He found himself deeply moved by the alumni, trustees, and friends who generously donated to the Together We Stand Fund for displaced personnel and by the teachers, staff, and students who came to campus despite the impending dangers.
“The Lebanese are truly remarkable people,” he said. “This school is a very special place.”
Then, as an afterthought, he added, “I only wish my children were still young enough to attend IC. They would have loved it.”
With additions, O’Dowd, P., & Paris, F. (2020, September 11). CaliforniaschoolprincipalwholosthishometoCreekFiresays he’slivingina“newreality.”Here&Now.https://www.wbur.org/ hereandnow/2020/09/11/creek-fire-homes-california
Toby and Stephanie with their children: L to R: Madeline, Carson, Cameron and Mackenzie
THE RETURN
“No
matter what happens, I cannot imagine a country without schools for very long; I cannot imagine a country without children going to school, and I cannot imagine the Lebanese, no matter the hardships, settling for less than quality education. For that our efforts are still worthwhile.”
Edmond Tohme, Acting President Annual Report to the Board of Trustees 1988-89
October 7, 2024: Hybrid Learning
It’s the day of return. Return to classes. To lessons. To friends. A return to a semblance of a life abruptly stolen just weeks ago.
It was a difficult decision. To open or not to open?
The decision was finally taken: open.
Students who can come, please do. Those who can’t, follow online. A hybrid existence.
The teachers gathered. Rings of “hamdella aala al Salameh” (Thank God you are well) echoed in the hallways as many embraced each other.
Students began arriving. The younger students looked excited, while the older ones scanned the room, searching for peers who had torn themselves away from online life to attend class, hoping they wouldn’t be the only ones there. Less than half the students in Ras Beirut attended. In one class, only a single student showed up. Many had fled to the mountains or abroad. They were following the lessons online.
Beneath the clear blue skies, an ominous white Israeli drone loomed overhead, its presence a stark reminder of everyone’s vulnerability. “Im Kamel” seemed to be watching every move. Exactly when and how the MK spy drone became “Im Kamel” is unclear, but somewhere between the civil war and the 2006 Israeli attack, the drone—true to Lebanese humor—acquired its nickname.
It is the new normal. Everyone settles down. In offices. In classes. Suddenly, a distinct loud boom shatters the stillness. A jolt of fear vibrates through the air. An Israeli jet or Dahieh under fire once more?”
Sonic booms rattled classroom windows throughout the day. In the skies, Israeli jets leave behind a white vapor trail. Lessons pause. Then continue.
Finally, the day comes to an end. Faculty and staff exchange goodbyes with the familiar phrase: “See you tomorrow!”
Then, a heavy pause.
“Inshallah,” (God willing) they mutter.
Students gradually returned to class over the following weeks. If circumstances permit, full in-person instruction is scheduled to resume after the Christmas holiday.
Nawal Haddad VP for Academic Affairs & with
What was the most challenging part of going online during wartime?
The biggest challenge was ensuring students could “Maslow before they Bloom” 1 addressing basic needs like safety and belonging before engaging in learning. As a school that has stood the test of time, we refused to compromise and focused on empowering teachers to engage students—it all starts with the teachers.
We started online and were fully prepared for the transition. The challenges weren’t related to technology or running classes, as we had already planned for various modalities—online-only, inperson-only, hybrid, with internet, and without. Our systems were in place, so technology wasn’t the issue. The real challenge was maintaining student engagement and readiness both in person option and online. Another challenge was optimizing mindon engagement, as per the Danielson Framework.
In face-to-face classes, a simple move toward a student brings them back to attention, but that personal touch isn’t available online. So, the challenge became maintaining focus while keeping high-quality engagement levels. We overcame this through teacher planning, perseverance, and the use of EdTech tools, including our Magic School AI platform and regular feedback.
We proudly boast that IC is one of the few schools running state-of-the-art virtual classrooms alongside physical ones. Teachers have always planned and run both types of classrooms simultaneously, with content and activities in one reflected in the other. When we shifted to online, the virtual classrooms were already enriched and prepared. We enhanced our use of EdTech tools, including Zoom for Education and unique resources. IC’s ability to maintain high quality, switching to online learning within 24 hours, impressed our parents, who thanked us for the swift transition.
It’s incredible. We lost no teaching days except when mandated by the government.
Did you have to adjust the curriculum?
Our curriculum is reflected on our platforms—Toddle, ManageBac, Google Classrooms, and Atlas—and is attended to, documented, and followed up on by our heads. Our heads ensure that, while we might switch content or skills or modify timing, the curriculum is not compromised regardless of the modality. So far, we are on top of our curriculum. Our heads are making sure that both physical and virtual classrooms follow the curriculum, maintaining vertical and horizontal alignment, just as we did before the war. This is applied on both campuses, where the curriculum is implemented and aligned while allowing flexibility in its execution.
If teachers are face-to-face, they might approach activities differently, such as in our Ain Aar campus. However, even in face-to-face, we use tech tools, virtual platforms, and digital resources. What about emotional well-being during and after the war? How could you address this online?
We kept our advisory sessions, and our counselors continued to support students. Well-being sessions and online activities continued without interruption for students and teachers. We are still running “Moments of Meaning: Building Strength Together,” focusing on this transition period. Our goal is for the community to unite, embody our values, and embrace our motto, mission, and vision. We care deeply about our students and staff, providing them with dedicated well-being sessions. During some mornings, we prioritize 10 minutes for students, where counselors and well-being coordinator lead activities promoting well-being, community building, and strength. On some days, these sessions are focused on teachers. Our students are developing resilience to overcome the challenges they have faced. Instead of focusing on the negative, we emphasize the positive, building the skills they need to recover and heal from the war.
1 Maslow Hierarchy refers to a model of human motivation that demonstrates how needs motivate an individual and Bloom Taxonomy is a tool for developing educational objectives.
“ We are holding all of our athletics because we need to get our kids back to that sense of normalcy.”
The Athletic Open Court Program
Inlight of the Israeli onslaught and the postponement of the usual yearly sports tryouts, the Athletic Department launched the “Athletic Open Court Program.” This program offered middle and secondary school students the chance to participate in various sports, including basketball, soccer, badminton, volleyball, and track & field, at both Ain Aar and Ras Beirut campuses. Running for three weeks—two before the fall break and one afterward—the program welcomed all students. It allowed them to reconnect, stay active, and ease back into a rhythm through recreational sports. Around 100 students participated each day, enjoying activities tailored to suit all skill levels.
“We are holding all of our athletics because we need to get our kids back to that sense of normalcy,” said IC President Toby Wait. “We can’t let the events, the war here, dictate that students cannot participate in cocurricular and extracurricular activities.”
Athletic tryouts were reinstated in mid-November.
by
Photos
Karine Naji
Children of Lebanon: a 7th Grader’s Plea for Peace
Amid the chaos of war, a seventh grader found solace in songwriting. Surrounded by the relentless hum of drones and the reverberations of explosions, Mohamad Shihab, 7 E, picked up his pen and poured his heart into a song, a heartfelt plea to end the war.
He called it “Children of Lebanon”.
Inthestreetswhereweusedtoplay.Laughter’sgone,itfadesaway. Undertheskiessofulloflight.Nowweseethestarsatnight.
OhLebanon,wecryforpeace.Pourlesenfants.Pourlavie.
Lebanoncan’tyousee?Wewanttoliveinharmony.
Mohamad is well-versed in music, performing solos as a Demeure des Muses Académie Choir member and taking part in every musical theater production at IC.
“I have always loved the stage,” he said. “Singing for people is a dream.”
However, it took a devastating war to inspire him to create his own piece.
“I have always wanted to write my own song but never found the right topic,” he explained. “Then suddenly it came to me.”
He knew his message, and it was a powerful one. It had
already unfolded in his mind—in all three languages. “I wanted to show the world how educated the Lebanese are,” he said.
Pourlesenfants,pourleurvie.
With IC’s focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in its curriculum over the past year, the 12-year-old digital native (someone under 30 who grew up with technology) naturally turned to AI tools. Using his ideas and AI’s capabilities, Mohamad created the melody, lyrics, and powerful images of Lebanese children looking at their war-damaged homes. He also made images of children playing amidst Lebanese landmarks in the background. All brought to life by AI.
“I wanted to show that people of this country are resilient,” he said. “I wanted to raise awareness that we want to end this war. We want peace.”
Theworldmustseeourbrokenhearts, Holdusclose,don’tfallapart. Wearethechildren,hearourplea, Wedeservetoliveandbefree.
With the melody and lyrics in place, Mohamad turned to his uncle, who owned a recording studio. A few days later, “Children of Lebanon” was posted on YouTube and has since garnered 6.9k views.
“I want things to go back to how they used to be,” said Mohamad.” I want children to go back to running, playing with balls, and having fun.”
Pourl’amour,pourlapaix… World,weneedyourhandtoday, HelpLebanonfinditsway.
“I didn’t know before what I wanted to do, but now I do,” he said. “I want to save this country. I think I will be a songwriter or politician when I grow up. But I can’t choose. So I will do both and save Lebanon.”
To see Mohamad Shihab’s video, go to: https://youtu.be/X9b6OVhdkck
Content generated with adult supervision using complex prompting on a variety of generative AI tools including:
Lyrics
OpenAI ChatGPT https://chatgpt.com
Music
MakeBestMusic Technology Limited https://makebestmusic.com
Graphics
Canva Magic Media https://www.canva.com
OpenAI DALL-E 3 https://openai.com/index/dall-e-3 Runway in Canva https://runwayml.com
In The Shadow Of The Missiles: IC Physical Plant Workers Come To Work
Photo by Ali Farran
It’sthe drone above that strikes fear in their hearts. At any time, at any place, it could strike. First, the sharp screech or whistle cuts through the air, followed by a deafening explosion and a bone-jarring rumble as it finds its target. The men close their eyes, then exchange glances—a wave of relief passing through them. They were not the target.
If they’re lucky, the traffic won’t come to a standstill, and they’ll make it to their work at IC’s Physical Plant Department on time.
“ They travel through the lion’s den, where safety takes a backseat to the urgent need to feed hungry mouths at home. ”
But there’s a trick to it. Leave home at daybreak. Return before sunset. Never ever break the number one rule: traveling when still dark.
“They assume you are up to something,” they said. “We could be suspects.”
“They” being the Israelis, “we” being the Physical Plant workers.
Among these workers is Ali Farran. He and his family lived in the southern village of Bnaafour, near Ghazieh—a major business hub in South Lebanon.
On September 23, their village was jolted by explosions that shook their home, sending the children screaming and cowering in corners. Three days later, as the bombing intensified, the family fled with only the clothes on their backs. They sought refuge in Sidon, where Farran’s in-laws welcomed them into their small apartment.
Nearby, Ahmad Mshawrab had fled his hometown of Bissariyeh in South Lebanon. His family watched in horror as missiles passed over their homes, falling nearby. They, too, fled to Sidon and joined thousands of displaced people taking shelter in public schools.
Each day, leaving his family at the school, Mshawrab meets Farran in the early hours at Sidon’s city square, where they wait for Henry Samia, a fellow Physical Plant worker from the village of Ain el-Delb, to pick them up on his way to IC.
It’s the same aim every day: escape before Sidon and its districts are struck—a frequent target of Israeli jets and drones and the site of multiple massacres.
“We’ve seen all the hits on Sidon,” said Farran. “It’s horrible. The deafening explosions, people screaming and running in the streets, the sound of missiles. The cries haunt you. I’ve heard things I never thought possible. I just don’t know how to describe it.”
Even on a “slow day,” i.e., no missile attacks - the thundering roar of low-flying jets breaking the sound barrier strikes fear into even the bravest among them. It almost feels like the jets are waiting for the IC men to accompany them back and forth in their relentless path.
Meanwhile, four other Physical Plant workers are waiting for dawn to break in the Bekaa. As soon as the first rays of sunlight appear, they head to their meeting point and climb into the awaiting car. Their daily two-hour perilous journey is about to begin. All four are either from or near the village of Shmustar in eastern Bekaa – the scene of several horrific bombardments.
First, there is Ali Droubi. He and his family fled Dahieh in September after their home was severely damaged, seeking safety in their village in the Bekaa. But just weeks later, Shmustar became the target of intense bombardments. There, the family remains. Also in the car is Jihad Jibawi, who also lived in Shmustar but fled with his family to Zahleh when the village was targeted. It is in Jihad’s car that the men make their way to Beirut. Nader Takesh joins them. He and his family fled after missiles struck near their home, causing significant damage. They are currently renting a flat on a hill in Shmustar. Despite the terror-filled nights, he joins the group at dawn. The fourth
man in the car is Ahmad Kak, a resident of Nabi Rchadi in the southern part of Baalbek. His village also endured heavy bombardment, forcing his family to flee to Zahleh.
At dawn, he rides his motorcycle to the meeting point, warily eyeing the drone above, feeling its gaze pierce his soul. “I feel like they’re following me,” he said. “I feel so vulnerable.”
The men can recount many harrowing tales from their journeys to and from IC. A missile that struck a car just two vehicles away, reducing the occupants to cinders. A massive explosion that brought down a building as they drove past. The endless roar of jets breaking the sound barrier and the constant barrage of explosions.
“It’s a dangerous road,” said Jibawi. “But it’s the only way for us to reach Beirut.”
Along the way, they engage in conversation—sometimes louder than necessary—doing anything to drown out the terrifying sounds around them. Occasionally, the road suddenly shuts down due to a missile strike, causing endless traffic jams and hours of waiting in the car. Remaining in Beirut is out of the question. Not as long as their families remain in the Bekaa.
And so, they travel through the lion’s den, where safety takes a backseat to the urgent need to feed hungry mouths at home.
But as many IC employees will attest: you don’t let go of an IC job. You simply don’t. It’s IC.
Ali Farran, Ali Droubi, Nader Takesh, Jihad Jibawi, Ahmad Mshawrab, Ahmak Kak
Mahmud Shihab VP For Educational Development & Technology & with
How did the shift to online learning impact student engagement and participation?
The shift to online learning was a significant success, as IC’s hybrid model ensured uninterrupted access to quality education for all students, whether in Lebanon or abroad. By using digital platforms like Google Workspace, Toddle, and ManageBac, along with interactive tools such as Nearpod, Padlet, and Canva, the school maintained high engagement levels. Students benefited from the flexibility of online learning, which allowed them to connect from their homes or temporary locations with ease. This proactive approach kept the school community united and focused on learning despite external challenges. The investment that the school proactively put in place during and after COVID-19 provided a safety net to maintain the continuity of learning during these challenging times.
innovative assessment methods, using formative assessments, digital portfolios, and project-based evaluations to monitor student progress.
What feedback did the school receive from parents about the online learning experience?
What role did technology play in maintaining communication among students, teachers, and parents?
Technology became the cornerstone of communication at IC, connecting students, teachers, and parents. IC’s Single Sign-On platform with Google Workspace provided a centralized hub for ensuring smooth access, while Zoom Workplace for Education ensured consistent connections with students unable to attend campus. It kept parents informed and empowered them to support their children’s education, creating a strong home-school partnership. Backed by the Educational Resources Center and IT department, EdTech coordinators provided ongoing training to ensure teachers effectively used digital tools to deliver lessons and meet student needs.
Did the teachers have to adapt their teaching methods for the online format?
IC teachers embraced online learning with creativity and determination, adapting their methods to deliver engaging lessons. They redesigned sessions to be shorter and more focused, incorporating dynamic activities to capture students’ attention. Interactive tools like Kahoot, Padlet, Google Forms, and Nearpod make virtual learning more engaging and collaborative. Teachers also implemented
Parents praised the school’s hybrid learning strategy, thanking it for providing their children with consistent education in Lebanon and abroad. They valued the flexibility that allowed students to stay connected and actively participate, whether on campus or online. Clear communication and a collaborative spirit reassured parents, instilling confidence in their children’s progress. While some voiced concerns about screen time and balancing home responsibilities, they acknowledged the school’s adjusted schedules and wellbeing initiatives as effective solutions. Overall, feedback reflected satisfaction and trust in the school’s leadership during this challenging period.
Did the shift to online learning change the way teachers and students interacted in the classroom?
The shift to online learning transformed teacherstudent interactions, creating a more personalized and collaborative environment. Students took greater responsibility for their education, building autonomy and digital literacy skills that will benefit them in the future. This evolution highlighted the school’s ability to adapt and innovate while maintaining its focus on student well-being and academic excellence.
In conclusion, the school’s transition to hybrid learning during a crisis exemplified resilience, innovation, and dedication. By leveraging technology and fostering collaboration, the school ensured educational continuity while strengthening its community. IC’s proactive and adaptable hybrid learning model serves as a framework for other institutions in Lebanon and beyond, offering guidance during times of war or crisis. Its success highlights how thoughtful planning, innovation, and a student-centered approach can turn challenges into opportunities, providing hope and practical solutions for the global education community.
From Classroom to Kitchen: Teachers Cook for the Displaced
Inearly October, in response to the growing humanitarian crisis in Beirut, the IC leadership, in collaboration with the Responsibility Unit (AGC, CAS, CCSL), launched a school-wide relief campaign aimed at assisting with IC’s diverse resources, including the Akle wa Bassme Mobile Community Kitchen. Teachers and staff were called to volunteer their time and efforts. For three days each week, various groups of staff and teachers arrived at 8 a.m. to prepare both cold and hot meals and distribute them to displaced families living on the streets of the capital.
The gathering held all the promise of a glorious day. About 50 teachers and staff assembled in the cafeteria— subduedly chopping, slicing, and wrapping sandwiches. Pouring the delicious, aromatic stew into plastic containers. Sunlight streaked through the cafeteria windows. The day was bright, not too warm, not too cold. A perfect spring day. Except it wasn’t spring. And it was anything but glorious. Up above, the continuous loud whirring of an Israeli drone overhead was an incessant reminder of how grim the day was.
A gentle murmur would occasionally disrupt the silence – a far cry from the usual laughter that fills teacher gettogethers. It was a somber sharing of woes.
There was Tima Mrad, the Physical Plant’s Office and Logistics Manager— usually in charge of the small details in cafeteria management—and a resident of the Dahieh area. When
a missile exploded just behind her building, she, her mother, and sister fled the area. A friend generously offered two empty houses in the mountains, but 43 relatives from the south soon crowded into those small spaces. Their village in Aitaroun had been destroyed, including Mrad’s home.
There was Art teacher, Aida Al Sheikh, from Chiah. She and her family had also left their home two weeks ago.
“I am planning to go to our apartment in the morning quickly,” she told Mrad. “Just to grab a few things and get my baby albums out.”
Mrad, on her part, had already taken that risk the day before. “I was shaking so badly that I just grabbed whatever I could,” she related. “But there is a lot more that we need. I want to go back and get more stuff.”
The exchange did not escape the notice of Stephanie Wait, the wife of IC’s new president. The couple
had only just arrived to take over the school in August—only to find themselves caught amid a war.
“ We always stress that IC fosters a culture of empathy, responsibility, integrity, and respect; and now we are walking our talk. ”
“We, too, lost our home,” she interjected, recounting how in 2020, a series of devastating wildfires swept through California, consuming millions of acres and destroying thousands of homes. The Wait home was one of them.
“We lost everything, but we escaped with our lives. And that’s really all that matters. We, our children, and even our dogs made it out. It’s not easy, I know, to lose your stuff. But remember, it’s just stuff.”
With her long hair well tucked under a white hairnet, Nawal Haddad, IC’s VP for Academic Affairs, was busily chopping her share of carrots. “We always stress that IC fosters a culture of empathy, responsibility, integrity, and respect,” she said. “And now we are walking our talk. As a significant part of this community, we feel not only a duty but a deep commitment to support our fellow citizens in need during this critical time.”
In the far right of the cafeteria, three volunteer teachers were having another murmured conversation. Riad Chirazi, IC’s Assistant to the Director for Student Life & Head of Activities/Drama/Cas & PreCas, carefully sorted fiddly parsley stalks.
“Of course, I came,” he said simply.
He never imagined he would find himself helping once again in the aftermath of an Israeli onslaught. Eighteen years had passed since the 2006 war, during which he participated in IC’s relief effort. “But this is worse,” he remarked. “There are far more displaced people now than in 2006, and the need is greater.”
Next to him, Special Arabic teacher Imane Ramadan agreed. “I just want to help,” she said. “I felt I needed to find a role for myself in this crisis.”
As did Economics teacher Suzanne Khalifeh. Both women have been displaced themselves from Bchamoun and have moved to Beirut.
“My husband is still in Bchamoun, but I don’t see him as the road is too dangerous to travel on,” said Khalifeh.
Since September, Israel has repeatedly targeted the densely populated Dahieh neighborhood south of Beirut, killing thousands and triggering a humanitarian crisis with more than 1.2 million people displaced. The relentless assaults have left countless families in desperate situations, most of whom sought shelter in schools, hotels, and abandoned buildings.
With nearly 900 shelters now full, displaced families were sleeping in
public parks and streets in the open –a large part on the seaside promenade of Ramlet al Bayda, Corniche, and Rawche.
“Our IC operation is happening three times a week, with a possibility of increasing portions depending on logistics,” said Rindala Abdel Baki, Head of the AGC and CCSL, overseeing the effort. “We have so far around 50 teachers and staff who volunteered with us today, and we plan, once students return, to engage them as well.”
Outside, several teachers’ cars were parked, ready to transport large bags filled with sandwiches and cartons of juice and water. Meanwhile, IC’s sleek Akle wa Bassme Mobile Community Kitchen awaited its turn later in the day to deliver hot meals.
ONCE THEY
At 10 AM, several bags of sandwiches, cartons of juice, and water bottles were packed into the car of Nisrine Sinjab, a Secondary School English and TOK teacher. Other teachers also filled their vehicles with supplies. IC guards, some of whom themselves were displaced, were immediately on hand eager to help. The mission: to deliver much-needed breakfasts to the displaced families living along the Ramlet al Baida, Corniche, and Rawche seaside promenades.
Finding the displaced wasn’t difficult; they were literally everywhere. Some were men alone, but most were families with young children. As Sinjab approached each tent, Economics teacher Suzanne Khalifeh
jumped out and delivered sandwiches into eager hands. And so it went until supplies ran out. Yet, a quick glance up the road showed many more families still waiting, left unattended and in need.
The families were grateful, though it was a heartbreaking sight. These people once lived in their own homes, cooked their own meals, and slept in their own warm beds. Now, they sat in flimsy tents, dreading the rain and winds that would inevitably arrive in a few weeks. Most were surviving solely on the handouts of complete strangers.
Ahlam lives in one of the tents, with a little girl sitting quietly beside her.
Another child, a son, was somewhere nearby but out of sight. She accepted the sandwiches gratefully, but her tears soon broke through. “When the missile hit, half of our building collapsed,” she cried. “My son was killed. I saw his body—he was just 17. My other son is still there, under the rubble. I haven’t seen his body, but I know he’s still there. My husband is badly injured in the hospital. I don’t know what to do or where to go.”
Once she had a family. Once she had a home.
A few tents down the road, another family gratefully accepted the sandwiches. Their apartment had been completely demolished. The
HAD A HOME
parents gestured toward their young son, who was suffering from cancer. How would he continue his treatment now?
Two teenagers suddenly ran up, both wearing braces. One was in 7th grade, the other in 9th. At least, they were supposed to be. Their school was badly damaged. They politely asked for a special seat for their ailing grandmother.
More and more tents. More and more families. Some whose homes in Dahieh have survived—so far—rush back, despite the echoes of newly exploded missiles, just to take a quick shower before returning to their tents. Others, who fled from the south,
have nowhere to take showers. Some families sat surrounded by piles of mattresses, idly watching the passing cars. Others were self-entertaining by playing cards or diving into some deep discussion. In another context, they might have seemed idyllic—a picture of perfect family time, free from the distractions of screens.
One young man was a loner. He took the sandwich rather reluctantly.
“Thank you. But I don’t need anything else,” he stated abruptly.
Some displaced refused the sandwiches, instead pointing to other families they believed needed them more.
Before long, the bags were quickly emptied. Sinjab and Khalife returned to IC.
In just a few hours, the Akle wa Bassme Mobile Community Kitchen van was filled with hot meals, almost ready to be delivered to Ramlet al Baida’s sandy shoreline, where more families awaited in makeshift tents.
It looked like a normal day on the beach. Children frolicked in the water, still warm enough for a swim, while men and teenage boys sat on the sand, their skin tanned as if they had been sunbathing all day. Women strolled along the shore aimlessly. A closer look revealed the worry lines etched on their faces. Tents scattered
“On that day alone, 500 sandwiches, 324 hot meals, 325 water bottles, and 250 juice bottles were distributed.”
here and there might be mistaken for camping setups, but a closer examination unveiled exhausted bodies sprawled inside, seeking refuge from the harsh reality outside.
This was no picnic at the beach.
IC personnel looked on helplessly, including Mira Karaky, a newly hired preschool teacher. She and her parents had also left their home and moved to the mountains.
Now, her father calls her frequently, his voice tinged with panic. “Where are you?” he asks.
Like the rest of the Lebanese, he is glued to the news following the relentless bombardment of Dahieh, less than ten kilometers away.
With the hot meals safely delivered, the Akle wa Bassme van returned to IC. On that day alone, 500 sandwiches, 324 hot meals, 325 water bottles, and 250 juice bottles were distributed.
In just two days, the entire process begins again.
GIVING BACK: ICAA Ramps Up Efforts in Response to Crisis
Amidst a time of crisis, the IC Alumni Association (ICAA) has teamed up with the Parents’ Committee of Ras Beirut (PCRB) to offer vital support to the community. This collaboration was a powerful step toward amplifying their collective efforts to provide aid where it was most needed.
“Why split our efforts? Let’s unite and work together,” said Karim El Kabbani’ 15, an ICAA board member, who was quick to represent ICAA in the urgency of the situation. With over 75 teachers and staff members displaced due to the ongoing conflict, the need for action was critical.
Fortunately, the ICAA’s extensive alumni network and the ICAA Connect mobile app provided a unique platform to mobilize the community swiftly. Alumni were immediately engaged through social media, direct outreach, and university groups. The message was clear and compelling:
“In these challenging times, IC has shown resilience, supporting 75 displaced IC employee families. The ICAA invites you to contribute to the Together We Stand Fund—an initiative supporting IC’s Alumni & Advancement efforts. Your contribution helps strengthen the future of our children and community.”
ICAA ambassadors played an essential role in spreading the word, reaching out to alumni across the globe to rally support by Transforming a Celebration into a fundraiser. One notable example was
the decision to turn simultaneously an alumni gathering in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Vermont into a fundraiser. Originally meant to celebrate alumni connections, the event was reimagined as a fundraiser for war relief efforts in Lebanon. All proceeds were channeled through the ICAA.
“Now, more than ever, this event is an opportunity for us to come together, to support each other, and to extend our care to those who are suffering,” read the invitation, underscoring the importance of unity in times of adversity.
As donations began to pour in—both in cash and via wire transfers,—there was a Rapid Response and Strategic Leadership endeavor. The ICAA efforts were key to ensuring the funds reached the IC community. “We
raised a substantial amount, which we were able to redirect to support the IC families in need,” explained the ICAA board member. The established network of IC students at AUB (American University of Beirut) played a crucial role in engaging the wider student base, encouraging even more donations.
This initiative went beyond just fundraising. It was about creating a sustainable platform to connect IC students across universities, both locally and internationally. “Our alumni and students have rallied together,” said Kabbani. “Everyone wants to help. It’s our school, and we stand by it.”
This outpouring of support reflects the unparalleled power of the IC community. Whether through events, social media, or direct outreach, the ICAA has demonstrated that even in the most challenging times, the community remains resilient and united. By coming together, ICAA, Parents’ Committees, alumni and students are making a tangible impact, ensuring that their shared legacy continues to support those in need.
Through these coordinated efforts, the ICAA has proven that a connected and engaged alumni network can drive significant change—especially when it operates with a shared purpose and commitment to helping others.
Join the ICAA now!
https://icaalebanon.com
THE PARENTS’ COMMITTEE: Supporting War Relief Efforts
In their usual swift response, the Parents’ Committee of Ras Beirut (PCRB) sprang into action. Refugees were arriving by the tens of thousands in Beirut. They desperately needed mattresses, clothes, food, water, and hygiene packs. Their survival depended on it. More refugees kept arriving, battered and exhausted, fleeing the relentless bombardment.
L to R: Karim Kabbani ’15, Pamela Maalouf‘02(ICPCmember),Gezairi employee,AbirBawarshi’98,Dana Kaaki Sinno (ICPC member), Gezairi employee, Salma Fawaz Charafeddine (ICPC member), Maya Hallab ‘10 ( ICPC volunteer), Nadine Fawaz Remlawi ‘98 ( ICPC member),Celina Balaa Jelwan ’98 (ICPC volunteer)
Naturally, it was too much for the Parents’ Committee to handle alone. Then, someone had an idea—contact the Beirut municipality. An agreement was reached: the PCRB would gather as many supplies as possible, while the municipality would survey the schools and inform the PCRB of the exact needs of those sheltering in the area.
Donations poured in—cash and goods. Soon, the IC parking lot overflowed with clothes, canned food, shoes, hygiene packs, detergents, diapers. The Ain Aar Parents’ Committee also sent in large donations. There was enough to fill a truck. Except, they did not have a truck. Fortunately, Abir Bawarshi ‘98, the head of the PCRB, is the Administration Director at Gezairi Transport, her familyowned freight forwarding, shipping, and logistics company based in Lebanon. She procured a truck. This was to be their first load.
But then, an IC employee approached them just as they loaded the truck. They said that they too had been displaced and were short on a lot of things.
Bawarshi was taken aback. Of course. IC employees – those living in Dahieh and its surroundings – were affected, too. Not all had relatives to stay with. The first shipment was halted.
Charity begins at home. The PCRB discovered that 33 displaced IC security staff and physical plant workers had been affected. All were invited to select what they needed; if they didn’t have it, the PCRB purchased it. The truck was then reloaded with new donations. (Twenty-four displaced teachers also received supermarket vouchers).
For the next three weeks, the PCRB worked tirelessly, collecting donations, sorting them, and loading them onto trucks. Some items were donated, while others the PCRB purchased with the funds they raised. The Gezairi trucks were put to good use, sometimes picking up and delivering donated goods directly from contributing factories. Every truck was filled to capacity at each pickup, whether from IC or directly from the donors. Eight schools in the vicinity, housing
anywhere from 300 to 800 displaced people, became the final destinations for aid.
“When the donated money ran out, we dipped into our PCRB (IC HOPE) fund,” Bawarshi said.
Bawarshi was no stranger to disaster. Just four years earlier, the Gezairi headquarters had been destroyed in the 2020 Beirut port explosion. Despite the economic crisis that followed, the company managed to rebuild and retain all its employees. But now, it was a different challenge altogether—33 of their employees had been displaced when Israel began its onslaught in September.
Bawarshi and the company took immediate action, renting apartments and providing needed supplies for each displaced family. “These people have served us for years,” she said. “We couldn’t just turn our backs on them.”
“ I think the continuity of the school depends on the community at this time. This includes the alumni, parents, teachers, students, and administration.”
Many members of the PCRB have fled the country – for the time being. But still, Bawarshi and the remaining group keep thinking of ways to help the IC community first and the displaced second. “The people working with us all are amazing human beings,” she said, adding that the IC community had rallied together in a time of need.
“I think the continuity of the school depends on the community at this time,” she said. “This includes the alumni, parents, teachers, students, and administration. I think it will be a tough time for a long time. We need to depend on each other.”
A Special Tribute to the Pilots of Our IC Community –Alumni and Parents
Since Israel began bombarding Beirut’s southern suburbs, the pilots of Lebanon’s national air carrier, MEA, have risen as our true heroes—symbols of resilience and courage in the face of unimaginable peril.
One by one, foreign commercial airlines suspended their flights to Lebanon. Yet MEA, with its iconic cedar-emblazoned tails, refused to abandon its mission. With hearts pounding, we watched the majestic planes take off and land against a backdrop of fire and smoke that blackened the Beirut skyline. Each ascent and descent filled us with both awe and dread as we silently prayed that they wouldn’t cross the path of a missile or that the runway wouldn’t be the next target.
We cannot even fathom the immense stress and fear these pilots endure with every flight. Yet, they persist, putting their lives on the line to help countless others find safety.
The IC community stands in admiration and gratitude for these extraordinary individuals, the MEA leadership, and support staff. The simple words “thank you” fall short of capturing the depth of our appreciation, but in the absence of a better phrase: we salute you.
Captain Abdul Rahman El Hout
Captain Abdel Aziz Aziz
Captain Alex Khawaja ‘13
Captain Ehab Salameh
Captain Fouad Zobeir ‘10
Captain Adnan Dia ‘08
Captain Charbel Cherfan
Captain Fadi Khalil
Captain Hassib Saffieddine ‘11
Captain Jawad Hussein
Captain Karim Elbaf ‘13
Captain Hadi Azhari
Captain Issam Sabbagh ‘11
Captain Kareem Moukalled ‘10
Captain Rafik Mikati
Captain Rula Khalil
Captain Mohamed Tarhini
Captain Rami Banna ‘14
Captain Wael Tayara
Captain Talal Allam ‘92
HEALING THE INVISIBLE SCARS:
EMDR GROUP THERAPY IN TIMES OF WAR
You may have seen her every week on television or social media: Dania Dbaibo (Darwish) ‘84, a seasoned certified professional coach, licensed clinical psychologist, and motivational speaker. She is on a mission to heal Lebanese communities one by one. In normal times, she can usually be found practicing human empowerment in her Bliss Street office, “Strides,” helping her clients deal with various mental health problems through a blend of therapeutic techniques—such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy, or hypnotherapy; and the latest field to make waves in the psychology world: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – a psychotherapy approach that helps people process and heal from traumatic memories by using guided eye movements to reduce emotional distress.
But these are unusual times, and Dbaibo is finding ways to connect to the Lebanese communities. As one of the few Lebanese therapists trained in EMDR, she felt a strong sense of responsibility to find a way to offer support.
Fortunately – or rather, unfortunately – this is not her first experience facing the challenge of addressing trauma on a large scale. In 2020, following the Beirut Port blast, the Lebanese EMDR Task Force, which Dbaibo formed with her EMDR-specialized colleagues, swiftly mobilized to provide group therapy. “Intervening quickly after a traumatic event,” she explained, “can help prevent PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) from developing.”
Firstroundofgroupsessionsafter
She initially invited blast victims to her office for group EMDR therapy sessions, but she soon contacted hotels to provide conference rooms to accommodate large groups. Using social media, she reached out to blast victims in Lebanon, and dozens responded.
Jumping to 2024. The Israeli onslaught on the country promised to produce an overwhelming number of distressed Lebanese citizens again.
“It’s been a culmination of consecutive collective traumas for the people here,” she said. “Starting in 2019 and continuing until now.”
Once again, she stepped out of her Bliss Street office and re-activated the Lebanese EMDR Task Force. Together, they devised a new plan that starts with capacity building for the team, offering training about “psychological first aid” for other fellow psychologists and the public. They offered free webinars on war-related stress and traumas to help people through this difficult time. The ultimate aim was to provide group EMDR for frontliners and displaced citizens. So far, four webinars have been held for the general public, attracting over 100 participants each.
the Beirut Port explosion.
Unlike the Beirut Port explosion, the trauma people are enduring is ongoing. “Typically, PTSD is addressed once the source of stress is over,” said Dbaibo, “but here, it’s continuous trauma, so we had to get trained on new EMDR protocols and conduct study groups before embarking on group face-to-face sessions. Our major concern was the safety of the task force; that’s why we decided to work with each in his or her own area in Lebanon.”
Supporting frontline workers was a priority as they not only faced the Israeli onslaught, but they were also aiding the community. These include civil defense personnel, doctors, nurses, NGOs assisting on the ground, the Red Cross members, and even journalists.
“They are witnessing unimaginable atrocities and suffering from flashbacks and nightmares,” said Dbaibo.
The final phase involves assisting displaced citizens through collective trauma group sessions, typically conducted after providing psychological first aid and addressing their basic needs. This may be the biggest challenge of all. With only 20 EMDR specialists across Lebanon—and unfortunately, only one in the south region and only one in the Bekaa—the challenge is enormous.
But Dbaibo is undeterred. This is far from her first challenge. After graduating from AUB in 1987 with a degree in Business Administration, she focused on marriage and raising children as she lived abroad. The business degree was more to please her parents than a true passion. Her genuine love and intrigue had always been psychology. Once her two children were grown, she returned to AUB to pursue her dream: earning a master’s in psychology 20 years after her initial graduation. When she learned of EMDR trainers arriving in Beirut in 2013, she immediately signed up to learn this approach and became a devoted advocate for EMDR therapy.
Since then, in addition to her private clients, Dbaibo has undertaken a self-imposed mission to heal traumatized Lebanese individuals and communities – and sadly, these have been all too common in recent years.
“We have to help in any way we can,” she said. “We can’t just sit around and do nothing. It is our social responsibility.”
To know more about EMDR in Lebanon or contact Dania Dbaibo, go to: https://www. strides-ddd.com/
What is EMDR?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a comprehensive psychotherapy that helps you process and recover from past experiences that are affecting your mental health and well-being. It involves using side-to-side eye movements combined with talk therapy in a specific and structured format. EMDR helps you process the negative images, emotions, beliefs, and body sensations associated with traumatic memories that seem to be stuck. These can contribute to a range of mental health problems.
EMDR helps you see things from a different perspective and relieves the symptoms you are suffering.
It can be used to help with a range of mental health difficulties, including anxiety, depression, addictions, behavioral difficulties, relationship issues, and more serious mental illnesses such as psychosis and personality disorders.
Adapted from the British Association for Counseling and Psychotherapy
IC ALUMNA USES HER NGO KITCHEN TO FEED THE DISPLACED BEDAYATI:
Itso happened that Ghia Osseiran ‘00 was there. She had a fully equipped kitchen. As the co-founder of Bedayati, an NGO that works to empower marginalized youth and women in Lebanon through education and skills training, she had the experience. And so, she sprang into action .
organizations to create decent job opportunities and promote inclusive work.
“When Ghia approached me to set up Bedayati in 2020, I knew I had to say yes as a longtime admirer of her work in the education development field and her strong work ethic,” said Chedid. “Being based abroad, my main effort has been to help with fundraising through partnerships with employee-based schemes at corporates and online fundraising campaigns.”
Every morning, volunteers show up to slice, chop and cook. Some are displaced themselves. Some just want to help. To do something in this crisis. Anything.
Several motorcycles drive up in front of the kitchen in the Caracas neighborhood in Ras Beirut. They are sent to collect the morning sandwiches for their communities of displaced living in nearby schools. They will return to collect the hot meals in a few short hours.
Altogether, the kitchen serves 18 schools and shelters in and around Ras Beirut. Each school hosts between 200 and 350 displaced individuals, hailing from all over Lebanon.
The kitchen in Caracas was launched in June. It was part of a Bedayati project to give vocational culinary skills training to marginalized women and youth. It had just started when the Israeli onslaught began in early September.
Another Bedayati kitchen near the impoverished Sports Stadium area had to halt suddenly – it was in the ‘red’ zone. Osseiran was working in that area a few years ago when she decided that the best way to eradicate poverty was to offer skills training, personal development support, and comprehensive employment services to help young people overcome barriers to finding sustainable work. So, with her friend Karim Chedid ‘06, she co-founded Bedayati (my new beginning). On top of teaching the necessary skills, the NGO works with businesses and
The kitchen idea in the Sportive City area started after Osseiran noticed that the residents did not have a proper kitchen and only small electrical stovetops. So she opened a soup kitchen. She had enough donated funds for two months. She didn’t think she would need more. It was so successful that she continued and added to it a culinary skills training component, in line with Bedayati’s mandate. This year, she expanded the idea and opened a kitchen and training center in the Caracas area. But this was to teach culinary and tech skills to marginalized women and youth.
The training courses had barely started when Israel attacked. And now, under the incessant buzz of overhead drones, women – all volunteers – gather to cook the day’s meal.
But the crisis is not without its humorous moments –despite the grim situation. For came the day when, after a heavy night of continuous bombing, her kitchen manager couldn’t make it to the kitchen. It was up to Osseiran, who lives nearby, to cook. She had a BA in Political Science from AUB, an MA in International Affairs from Columbia, and a PhD in Education from Oxford University, yet cooking was not her forte.
How was she supposed to make Daoud Basha when she knew little about the recipe? To make matters worse, she was a vegetarian.
Finally, one of her volunteers from another red zone, Burj al-Barajneh, who was displaced in the same building as the Bedayati kitchen, immediately took charge. Ironically, this same woman had been denied training in Bedayati’s culinary training course because she hadn’t met the criteria—she was considered not vulnerable enough. Disgruntled, she sought out Osseiran to voice her dissatisfaction, but her irritation soon transformed into an interest in volunteering. Since then, she has become one of the most dedicated volunteers, rarely missing an opportunity to work in the kitchen. (On a side note, she was added to the course once it resumed).
“I have lost everything,” said one elderly woman, her voice trembling as she sat surrounded by her family of eleven. “My home. My belongings.”
After a pause: “We are not beggars here,” she said. “I had a beautiful home in the south, with a garden. We grew our own food. Earned our own income. It’s not easy for us being here waiting for people to give us things.”
“ Why are we doing this? Because we can. We have the space, we can mobilize volunteers, we can mobilize resources.”
The meals were prepared as planned, arriving perfectly before pickup time.
The Bedayati kitchen produces 500 sandwiches and 600 hot meals daily.
In various schools, displaced families await eagerly for their daily meal. Osseiran leads the way to one of the schools. Here, 300 people live in the small school. It was impeccably clean. A self-appointed supervisor dubbed ‘the uncle’ runs it firmly. Stringent rules were hung on the wall.
“We are grateful for the food,” he says to Osseiran. “ We will never forget the help that you are providing.”
Classrooms were filled to the brim – with several families occupying the larger rooms.
Back at Bedayati, Osseiran oversees the overall operation.
“Why are we doing this? Because we can,” she repeated. “We have the space, we can mobilize volunteers, we can mobilize resources. Being in Lebanon and contributing to my country means a lot to me. There is so much to be done here, and we can do it. So we are doing it.”
For more information about Bedayati or to donate to its kitchen, go to: https://bedayati.org/
Ghia Osseiran (in blue) with volunteers in the Bedayati kitchen
THE DAY AFTER: NAMA RELIEF – A PLATFORM FOR SOCIALPRENEUR RELIEF EMPOWERMENT
What about the day after? It’s wonderful—all these relief efforts. Thank God for them. But, as Nathalie Rubeiz ‘87 points out, what about the day after?
“We need to think about how we’re going to help people once this war is over,” she said.
And so, a new startup, NAMA Relief, was born—a platform dedicated to connecting social entrepreneurs with individuals seeking work or volunteer opportunities.
The idea came to Rubeiz quite suddenly. With over 12 years of service with the Red Cross, the interior architect was well-acquainted with crises and their aftermath. Day after day, she watched helplessly as thousands of displaced people made their way to Beirut, filling streets, schools, and abandoned buildings. Yes, their immediate needs were being met, but then what? Most of their villages and homes had been razed to the ground. They had no jobs, no shops, and many of their fields would remain unusable for a long time.
She shared her concerns with longtime friend and fellow Red Cross member Maan Barazi, a journalist and the president of the National Council for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (NCEI). As a specialist in designing and implementing social media strategies for startups, Barazi quickly developed the idea into an online platform. Suddenly, Rubeiz’s vision became a reality—with her as the founder and Barazi as the co-founder.
The idea is simple: social entrepreneurs—startup founders and business owners aiming to create social change or support a cause—register on the platform to post their need for employees or volunteers, whether for specific projects or longterm roles. On the other side are individuals seeking work, volunteer or training opportunities.
“With the system and the crisis we’re going through, nothing will sustain us,” she said. “We need to keep working and find jobs for people, whether they have a strong background or no formal education, to help them learn new skills.”
At the same time, social entrepreneurial projects on the platform are eligible for crowdfunding. This provides an opportunity for those who want to help the country recover from the devastating war, especially Lebanese living abroad, to donate with the assurance that their contributions are transparent and directed to the right place.
““This alliance between NAMA and NCEI can potentially transform humanitarian aid and empower communities in need,” said Rubeiz.
For example, NAMA Relief can now use NCEI’s knowledge of the local entrepreneurial
ecosystem and its experience at Rafic Hariri University Hospital during COVID-19 to improve its resource allocation and ensure that aid reaches those in need.
By simplifying processes and cutting bureaucratic red tape, the partnership can speed up aid delivery, increase impact, and transform the approach to relief efforts. Two new platforms were launched: namaskills.com, empowering displaced communities and social entrepreneurs, and namamart. com, an e-commerce initiative supporting community capacity-building.
“ NAMA Relief is all about empowering people—one project at a time, one mission at a time. It’s not easy, but if we want to make a change, this is one way to do it.”
It’s a win-win situation. Rubeiz is launching the platform with several initiatives, including hooded sweaters that double as sleeping bags for displaced children, other warming tools and kits, and a socialpreneur relief program. The program will support ten new startups under NAMA Relief’s wing, six of which are already on board.
The process began with posting the initiative on the NAMA Relief platform and launching a crowdfunding campaign. Social media was then used to engage donors and announce the need for workers.
For Rubeiz, NAMA Relief was a way to finally find closure for a memory she had carried for years. One day, while strolling down Bliss Street, she came across an older man sitting alone on the sidewalk. Curious, she struck up a conversation and was shocked to learn that he had once been a teacher, fluent in three languages. For reasons unknown, he had lost his job, his wife had divorced him, and he was left homeless and destitute. As a result, he ended up sleeping on the streets, relying on food handouts. Weeks later, he was found dead on the doorstep of a building where he had likely sought shelter.
The memory of that teacher never left her. It had shaken her deeply. Had NAMA Relief existed then, he might have found work with one of the social enterprises on the platform, and death would not have found him on a doorstep.
“NAMA Relief is all about empowering people—one project at a time, one mission at a time,” said Rubeiz. “It’s not easy, but if we want to make a change, this is one way to do it.”
For more information go to nama relief platforms https:// namarelief.com namaskills.com namamart.com
SOCIAL MEDIA
https://www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=61567128456101&mibextid=LQQJ4d
https://LinkedIn.com/company/namarelief
LinkedIn group
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/10015237
Telegram
https://t.me/LebanonReliefNews
From the Front Lines to
Two Best Friends Fundraise for Ambulances
Fourdaysafterreceivingtheirnew ambulance,civildefenseworkersin DerdghaiyawerekilledinanIsraelitargeted missile strike.
The Civil Defense Worker
When Thurayya Zreik’11 returned to Lebanon after obtaining her Master’s from Oxford in Medical Anthropology and working in research in public health, she felt a crucial aspect of her work was missing— a direct, tangible, in-the-field involvement to really understand the health problems of the country. It was almost on a whim that she decided to volunteer at Ras Beirut’s Civil Defense Center. At first, the defense team members were uncertain how to handle this young, bold woman— especially one who showed up out of the blue without knowing anyone beforehand. It took some time, but Zreik was ultimately accepted and, in fact, cherished.
It was still 2022. War had not yet reared its ugly head.
And so, Zreik was trained in firefighting, first aid, rescue and relief efforts and was assigned to the Marine Rescue Unit. Then, war erupted in 2024 as Hezbollah began trading attacks across the southern Lebanese border with Israel to deter Israel from its war on Gaza. On September 17, Hezbollah pager devices exploded, killing nine and injuring almost 3000 people. A few days later, Israel began a series of airstrikes in Lebanon as part of the ongoing Israel–Hezbollah conflict.
Thefirstdonationswenttosending a custom-made ambulance to Derdghaiya.
Zreik found herself accompanying bloodied young men, blinded by pager explosions, to various hospitals. From then on, she was deployed with her team to target sites across the city, carrying out search and rescue missions following Israeli strikes. It was relentless, nonstop.
The Social Enterprise Baker and Best Friend
Ever since the two alumnae met in KGII, Zreik and Kinda Darwish ‘11 have been almost joined at the hip. “We have always shared much of the same values and have a need to give back to the community,”
Saving Lives:
said Darwish. “ Thurayya was the most influential person in my life.”
After earning her Master’s in hospitality in the UK, Darwish returned to Lebanon and took over a community social enterprise bakery in Gemaizeh, Mavia Bakery, that exclusively employed women. In 2020, after the Beirut Port explosion, Darwish turned her bakery into a soup kitchen and fed the devastated community for a long time. But now, with the ongoing Israeli onslaught, Darwish has transformed the bakery once again into a crisis relief center, providing daily meals to displaced families sheltering in Beirut schools.
“ It was really heartwarming to give defense workers ambulances.We were so depressed after the Derdghaiya bombing. But it pushed us to keep fundraising.”
messages. Donations came pouring in, and $15,000 later, the civil defense workers in Derdghaiya sent them messages of deep gratitude. They were thrilled.
The Shock
Four days later, on October 9, an Israeli airstrike targeted the Civil Defense Center in Derdghaiya, killing the defense workers and burning the new ambulance to ashes. The women had just been pouring over grateful messages of the civil defense workers. Finally, said the messages, finally we can help our people in a much more efficient way. Thank you. Thank you.
Every day, she would listen in horror to her best friend’s descriptions of what she witnessed. Most shocking, she learned that civil defense workers in the southern village of Derdghaiya used vegetable carts to transport the wounded. Vegetable carts!
The Ambulance
We need to do something about this, they thought. Obviously, there was an urgent need for an ambulance. But how do we do it? They contacted a common friend, Bachir Nakhal, a Beirut-based volunteer. Together, they launched a rather rudimentary fundraising campaign, which was basically done through social media and WhatsApp
Thurayya Zreik
Kinda Darwish
Recovering from the initial shock took time, but Darwish and Zreik were determined to press on. They channeled their energy into fundraising for ambulances across the country. Once again, messages were sent out, donations poured in, and the funds were used to purchase five vans, customized on-site and equipped with all the necessary first aid supplies.
“It was really heartwarming to give defense workers ambulances,” said Darwish. “We were so depressed after the Derdghaiya bombing. But it pushed us to keep fundraising.”
Then again, one of the civil defense centers in Nabatieh was targeted. The ambulance survived. The head of the Civil Defense Center was severely injured.
“He was so happy when we presented him with the ambulance,” recalled Darwish sadly.
Just talking about it was hard. This was nothing like the bright futures they had imagined for themselves—futures that every young woman dreams of at this age.
Healing From the Trauma
Struggling to hold back tears but needing to talk nevertheless, Zreik recounts the harrowing tasks: extinguishing uncontrollable fires, finding unexploded missiles, and spending endless hours pulling people from the rubble. She tells of the time that an Israeli warning was issued, her heart pounding as she feared she wouldn’t make it out in time.
She speaks of devastation so intense that destroyed buildings were merged. She describes the grim task of collecting severed limbs scattered across explosion sites, carefully placing them in plastic bags. With respect to Arab culture, the search and rescue teams would spend days digging through the rubble to ensure families could preserve the dignity of washing and burying their loved ones whole.
She speaks of horrors so profound that her mind went into distress.
The weight of what she was seeing tormented her, and night terrors relentlessly ravaged her mind.
“The human brain is not made to comprehend this,” she said. Watching her, Darwish couldn’t ignore the unmistakable signs of trauma in her best friend.
She urged Zreik to seek therapy. It so happens that Darwish’s mother, Dania Dbaibo ‘84, was one of the few EMDR specialists in the country. And she did.
“She saved me,” said Zreik. “I saw things I couldn’t absorb and sensations that felt impossible to carry. But she worked
CivilDefenseworkersreceivingsearchandrescuetools donated by Darwish and Zreik
with me, giving me the time and tools to encode those memories properly. I am forever grateful to her for helping me find a way to keep going.”
In November, Zreik traveled to Italy to pursue a PhD in Global Mental Health. Meanwhile, Darwish focused on establishing kitchens at the shelters, aiming for a more sustainable solution to what was rapidly becoming a long-term conflict.
“I’m proud of both of us,” said Darwish. “We found meaning in a situation like this that makes you question the essence of humanity and the world. It’s what kept us from feeling helpless.”
Please Help
The women are reaching out to all who could help procure a much-needed firetruck for the Ras Beirut Civil Defense Center. For donations, please contact: https://chuffed. org/project/firetruck-support
Moufid Beydoun Vice President for Alumni & Major Gifts & with
How did IC address the challenges caused by the war, including supporting displaced individuals and meeting the increased demand for financial aid?
As always, IC remains deeply concerned about its faculty and staff. With the war affecting many lives, IC launched a new initiative: the Together We Stand Fund. This fund was created to support those displaced from their homes—either because their homes were damaged or because their areas became too dangerous. The goal was to provide decent living arrangements to preserve their dignity.
IC received tremendous support from its Board, IC families, and alumni worldwide. The response was overwhelming. IC raised almost $500,000 in under two months, reaching its target. This initiative resonated deeply with the IC community. Everyone was determined to ensure that IC’s faculty and staff were well-supported, which enabled the school to persevere. Remarkably, IC was able to resume lessons by the second day of the crisis, implementing a hybrid learning model.
connected to the inner circle. Our alumni genuinely love their school and want to give back from the heart. I can confidently say that many of our donors—regardless of the amount they give—share this deep care for the school.
We have a strong, well-knit network and a dedicated Advancement Office team in Beirut and New York. I travel to North America and Europe twice a year and to the Gulf to keep this spirit alive. Preserving this connection means continuously sharing what’s happening at IC. Thanks to the leadership at the school, we are still providing world-class education. Our students excel academically, both in school and in their official exams, and continue to gain acceptance into top universities.
At the same time, we recognized that many of our students’ families were severely affected by the situation. Some lost their jobs, while others were unable to reach their businesses. As a result, the demand for financial aid increased. In response, we raised additional funds for its financial aid program.
So, effectively, we were raising money for two purposes: the Together We Stand Fund to support displaced individuals and the Tuition Assistance Program to meet the growing need for financial aid.
How does IC keep strong connections with its alumni and stay engaged with them?
We are fortunate to have the IC spirit, but that alone isn’t enough. That’s why I travel frequently. I’ve just returned from the US, visiting donors in California: the Bay Area and Orange County, as well as Washington, DC and New York. It’s crucial to keep all our constituencies closely
When I speak of IC’s performance, I proudly boast about what we’re achieving. I can confidently say that we are one of the only schools in the region offering this level of education. The high demand for our school isn’t just because of past reputation; people now see that we are truly different. We put in the work. We have an incredible leadership team, from the Board to the administration, faculty, and staff. Everyone works as though the school is their home, driven by a genuine passion for the school. Our donors feel this sincerity. They thank us for what we are doing and for sharing our story with them.
How does IC ensure that the funds raised are used effectively and responsibly?
We have a worthy cause, and we truly believe in it. We are sincere, and rest assured that every dollar we raise is spent wisely. I owe this to the Finance Committee of the Board and the Business Office. We are highly transparent, with thorough audits in place, and I can guarantee there is no waste. All income and expenses are reviewed in detail during board meetings, ensuring we operate a well-managed institution.
EVENTS and DINNERS
PARIS FUNDRAISING DINNER
After a successful two-day board meeting in Paris, the Chairman of the Board, Don Selinger, invited all alumni in the Paris area for dinner at the historic Le Cercle de l’Union Interalliée on November 5th.
The fundraising event was generously sponsored by Oussama Kaddoura ‘74 . Approximately 90 board members, administrators, and alumni attended. The IC Alumni Association helped organize the event. Chairman
Selinger and President Wait both spoke to the group, emphasizing IC’s resilience amid the crisis.
Charles Simon Thomas ‘75, IC’s alumni ambassador in France, also spoke to the group. He had played a key role in establishing the “Fondation de France,” which now enables French taxpayers to deduct donations from their taxes when they donate to IC — a significant milestone for alumni and IC friends in France.
Mona Housseini ‘79, Raed Fathallah ‘91, Amb. Yvonne A. Baki of Ecuador, Don Selinger, Mona Kaddoura, Oussama Kaddoura ’74, Mutaz Sawaf ’69, Imad Taher, Luigi Molinari, Ronald Badaro ‘75
Marylana Saade Helou ‘04, Rabih Helou, Talal Jundi ’86, Toby Wait, Moufid Beydoun ’64, Stephanie Wait, Nawal Haddad, Ghassan Abdel Karim’82
Charles Simon Thomas ’75 explaining about establishing the “Fondation de France”
IC President Toby Wait highlighting the school’s achievements in his address to the audience.
In Memoriam
Salim El-Hoss (1929-2024)
International College mourns the loss of former Prime Minister Dr. Salim El-Hoss ‘48, a prominent Lebanese politician, economist, and statesman widely respected for his integrity and dedication to public service. El-Hoss passed away on Sunday, August 25, 2024, at 94.
Born on December 20, 1929, in Beirut, he served as Lebanon’s prime minister five times between 1976 and 2000, navigating the country through immense political and social turmoil, including the Lebanese Civil War. Known as “the conscience of Lebanon,” he was a rare figure who earned respect across Lebanon’s diverse and often divided political and sectarian landscape.
An accomplished academic and economist, El-Hoss graduated with distinction from the American University of Beirut (AUB) with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1952 and a Master’s degree in 1957. He went on to earn a PhD in economics and business from Indiana University in 1961. Before entering politics, he worked in academia as an associate professor of Business Administration at AUB. In addition, he held prominent roles in banking, including serving as President of the Banking Supervision Committee in Lebanon, Chairman of Banque Arabe et Internationale d’Investissement in Paris, and General Manager of the National Bank for Industrial Development in Lebanon. Dr. El-Hoss was also a member of the Palestine International Institute and, in his later years, chaired the Board of Trustees of the Arab Organization for Combating Corruption. He also served as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Arab Democracy Foundation.
Dr. El-Hoss authored several books on economics and political science and held the position of Chairman of the Lebanese Banking Control Commission.
Beyond his domestic political roles, El-Hoss was deeply involved in international and regional initiatives. He participated in forums like the 2005 Axis for Peace conference and was a trustee for organizations focused on combating corruption and promoting democracy in the Arab world.
Dr. El-Hoss made a profound and lasting impact on Lebanon, touching the lives of his loved ones and all who knew him. He is survived by his daughter, Wadad, and grandson, Salim. IC faculty and staff send their deepest condolences to the El-Hoss family.
We regret to inform you that Walid Musbah Salam ‘54 passed away in October 2024. The IC faculty and staff extend their deepest condolences to the Salam family.
We regret to inform you that Imad Hannoun ‘78 passed away in August 2024. The IC faculty and staff extend their deepest condolences to the Hannoun family.
We regret to inform you that Yusra Bazzi ‘94 passed away in August 2024. The IC faculty and staff extend their deepest condolences to the Bazzi family.
We regret to inform you that Mahmoud Bacho ‘86 passed away in August 2024. The IC faculty and staff extend their deepest condolences to the Bacho family.
We regret to inform you that Larry Lucchino, Teaching Fellow in 1967- 68. passed away in April 2024. The IC faculty and staff extend their deepest condolences to the Lucchino family.
We regret to inform you that Malek Zouheir Chaar ‘95 passed away in October 2024. The IC faculty and staff extend their deepest condolences to the Chaar family.
We regret to inform you that Dr Jean Bitar ‘52 passed away in October 2024. The IC faculty and staff extend their deepest condolences to the Bitar family.
We regret to inform you that Robert Abou Jaoude ‘81 passed away in November 2024. The IC faculty and staff extend their deepest condolences to the Abou Jaoude family.
We regret to inform you that Dr Andre Sacy ’64 passed away in November 2024. The IC faculty and staff extend their deepest condolences to the Sacy family.
We regret to inform you that Abdul Hamid El Fil ‘52 passed away in November 2024. The IC faculty and staff extend their deepest condolences to the El Fil family.
We regret to inform you that Hafiza Jabara Zantout ‘72 passed away in November 2024. The IC faculty and staff extend their deepest condolences to the Zantout family.
We regret to inform you that Mary Halabi, a retired member of the Alumni Office, passed away in September 2024. The IC faculty and staff extend their deepest condolences to the Halabi family.
International College
P.O. Box 113-5373, Beirut, Lebanon.
Tel. 961 1 367420/33, Email: alumni@ic.edu.lb
305 East 47th Street, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10017
Tel. : 212 529 3005, Fax: 212 529 8525. Email: icny@intlcollegeny.com www.ic.edu.lb