Celebrating Human Rights Day at Al Ain Branch

“We highly estimate your nice gesture and your role in consolidating youth belongingness to their country”, by this expression, the MP Dr. Marwan Fares expressed his gratitude to LOST which organized an eminent ceremony on the occasion of the International Day of Human Rights at Al Ain Branch.
In his speech, the MP Mr. Marwan Fares stressed on the importance of assuring women rights and improving the status of prisons in Lebanon.
In addition, Mr. Mohammad Sokariya from LOST delivered a speech in which he spoke about the importance of celebrating human rights in the region, and he considered that such events help in the dissemination of Human Rights values. He thanked USAID/OTI Lebanon, the Ministry of Education and the various high schools and technical institutions in Lebanon that are in partnership with LOST in this program.  He finally addressed the audience by declaring that “it is our mission all to help developing the talents of youth and enhancing their belongingness to their country”.
The event ended by a play performed by students of the Academy reflecting their understanding of human rights values and application.

150 Youth celebrate Human Rights Day together

LOST organized a special ceremony on the International Day of Human Rights at El Hermel Branch in the presence of several social, political and municipal figures in addition to more than 150 students from the Academy of Youth and Municipal Work.
The exhibition included graphics, handicrafts and plays created by students which reflected their various expressions of human rights principles.
“It is the first time that we celebrate the International Day of Human Rights”, was a statement repeated by many students of the Academy.

Mr. Shemran El Rashiny from LOST delivered a speech in which he emphasized the role of the Academy of Youth and Municipal Work in spreading the culture of peace in the region and in helping all youth to become Lebanese active citizens.
In his turn, General Dr. Abbas Nasrallah said that human rights are the basis of laws in all countries. These rights represent a turning point in the dignity of human being and his/her personal liberties.
At the end, students showed different graphics and handicrafts prepared for the occasion. “It was an event of special taste in Hermel.”

Human Rights Day at Beit Shama Branch

LOST celebrated the International Day of Human Rights on December 19, 2010 at Beit Shama branch with massive participation of youth from the Academy of Youth and Municipal Work. Mr Ahmad Diab, the General Director of Vocational and Technical Education attended the event in addition to several academic, political and municipal figures.
“I felt overwhelmed by this crowd and I really felt exited to be one of the organizers of this big event”, said a youth club student.
Mr. Hussein Yazbeck, Director of Beit Shama Branch delivered a speech in which he considered that human rights principles should be the basic values of each society. He stressed the importance of the Academy of Youth and Municipal Work in educating youth on peace, tolerance and human rights and in developing their skills by using modern technological tools in computer and social media. Mr. Yazbeck thanked the General Director of Vocational and Technical Education and all participants for their generous support.

Mr. Yazbeck’s speech was followed with a speech by Mr. Ahmad Diab who stressed on the role of Lebanon in drafting the International Declaration of Human Rights.
At the end, Dr. Ramy Lakkis, the founder of LOST handed a honoring shield to the General Director of Vocational and Technical Education Mr. Ahmad Diab.

The Lebanese Army thanked LOST

“We highly estimate your generous sensations” by this expression, the Lebanese Army Commander, General Jean Kahwaji expressed his gratitude to LOST.

Dear the Administration of the Lebanese Organization of Studies and Training,
We highly estimate your nice gesture to invite the children of the Lebanese Army’s martyrs to attend the special ceremony on Independence Day on November 21, 2010 at King Restaurant-Baalbeck.

As we considerably estimate your sincere patriotism and your genuine solidarity with the military institution, we hope for your generous organization the continuance of prosperity and success.

                                                                 

General Jean Kahwajy
The Lebanese Army Commander
Yarze, on November 29, 2010

Human Rights Day at Baalbeck

“The International Day of Human Rights is my Day!” was the label of an event organized by the Academy of Youth and Municipal Work on December, 11, 2010 at Tammouz Hall –Baalbeck in the presence of Mr. Kameel Semaan representing the General Director of the Ministry of Education Mr. Fadi Yarak and Dr. Ramy Lakkis, the founder of LOST. Several academic, political and municipal figures attended the event in addition to more than 300 high school students from Baalbeck.
 “This is the first time that we celebrate the International Day of Human Rights” was a statement repeated by many students of the Academy.
Mr. Salah Zayter from LOST delivered a speech in which he considered that “the International Day of Human Rights represents a turning point in the dignity of human being and his/her personal liberties”. Mr. Zayter stressed on the importance of the Academy of Youth and Municipal Work in educating youth on peace, tolerance and human rights and in developing their skills in using modern technological tools in computer, social media and Internet in general.
Mr. Zayter’s speech was followed successively with a speech by Mr. Kameel Semaan who thanked LOST for her nice gesture and her role in consolidating youth belongingness to their country, and a play Majless al Wali  performed by youth from the Lebanese Association of Students LAS.
The event ended by offering  a honoring shield to the General Director of the Ministry of Education represented by Mr. Kameel Semaan.

Celebrating Independence at LOST- Hermel

LOST celebrated Independence on December 4 at El Hermel branch with massive participation of youth from the Academy of Youth and Municipal Work. More than 450 people attended; several academic, political, social and municipal figures were invited. The exhibition included graphics, handicrafts and poems created by students which reflected various meanings of independence. Coordinators and students of the Academy were very enthusiastic.
“Here, I felt that independence is a national day. This exhibition reflects our sincere patriotism”, confirmed Iman El Rashini from El Kasar High School.
“Celebrating Independence with LOST gave this day inmost meaning. I found out that the more we work together the better we become. We shared and exchanged the various meanings of independence through different ways (poems, handicrafts) in this exhibition”, said Nour El Nemr from El Hermel High School.  Youth in this event tried to prove how much they love Lebanon through this special activity.  Mohammad El Makhour, a youth club member said “ I am proud to be a member of the academy. This academy helps us to become Lebanese active citizens. This is the first time that we celebrate independence  in Hermel.”
This ceremony ended by distributing flowers and Lebanese flags to all participants.

400 youth celebrate Independence together

“Independence : Sovereignty and Dignity” was the label of the Independence exhibition which was organized by the Academy of Youth and Municipal Work on December 2, 2010 at Tammouz  Hall - Baalbeck. More than ten youth groups representing eight high schools and two youth municipalities participated in this event. “I felt overwhelmed by this crowd and I really felt exited to be one the organizer of this big event. It is the first time that we celebrate Independence Day outside school. Here, I felt that Independence is a national day” confirmed Mohamad Hassan, a youth club coordinator.
The exhibition included graphics, handicrafts and poems created by students which reflected various meanings of “Independence”. All students signed and carved different opinions and expressions on a big Lebanese Flag expressing their sincere patriotism. “The enthusiasm that we saw here is very rare, it looked like we were in a national competition and everyone is trying to prove how much he loves Lebanon: I am proud to be a member of the Academy” said Ahmad Houjeiry. This ceremony ended by distributing flowers and Lebanese flags to all participants.

Medical English at LOST-Baalbeck

Medical English Class

“Medical English” was something far from reach and LOST made it reachable in Baalbeck. There was no chance in our deprived region to even know that such course exists. However, LOST made it available.
Doctors of different medical specializations are attending an English Medical Course at LOST-Baalbeck. Such course is offered by LOST to help medical doctors enriching their background of medical terminologies and idioms.
Most importantly, this course helps satisfying the communicative needs for doctors.

Integrating Technology in Teaching

“Integrating Technology in Teaching” was the title of a training workshop organized by LOST in Baalbeck. Mrs Claire Ross, the English Project Manager at the British Council in Lebanon addressed the workshop in the presence of more than 30 English teachers from the region. Mrs Ross talked about the importance of integrating technological tools in teaching. She also discussed the significance of using songs, stories and games in explaining grammar and vocabulary lessons. Mrs Ross guided the trainees on how to use online resources especially English websites in teaching.

The workshop ended with an informative coffee break during which teachers shared with Mrs. Ross some problems they face in teaching English.
Ms. Claire Ross was warmly welcomed by LOST teachers and staff and her support was highly appreciated.

LOST celebrated Independence with the children of the Lebanese Army’s Martyrs

LOST organized a special ceremony on Independence Day to the children of the Lebanese Army’s martyrs at Ras El Ein public garden in Baalbeck in the presence of the martyrs’ parents.
Dr. Rami El Lakkis, the founder of LOST, delivered a speech in which he considered that “this ceremony reflects our patriotism and our respect to the martyrs who sacrificed themselves for protecting the independence of our country”. In his speech, Dr.Lakkis announced that LOST offers free English and computers courses to the children of Lebanese Army’s martyrs. He thanked the Lebanese Army and its Command, the municipality of Baalbeck, the mass media representatives and LAS and LYN which participated in this activity.

Dr. Lakkis’ speech was followed successively with a speech by lieutenant “Mohammad Janbeyn” who thanked LOST for its nice gesture on behalf of the Lebanese Army Command and the martyrs’ parents.
The ceremony included entertainment games, sports, music and theater, and it ended by offering gifts to all children of the Lebanese Army’s martyrs in Bekaa.

... and Mr. Zein Al Atat will Run for LOST this Marathon

Zein Al Atat visited LOST headquarters in Baalbeck and discussed with Dr Ramy Lakkis and senior executives in LOST the possibility of joining efforts in different projects LOST is conducting this year. Mr. Al Atat will support the participation of more than 2600 runners from Baalbeck Hermel in Beirut Marathon 2010. He also showed deep interest in sustaining needy people from the region through different social and economic programs that will be agreed upon in further meetings and discussions. Mr. Al Atat promised to donate 2500 kits of Zein soap and toothpaste. These kits will be distributed by LOST after the Marathon.

Mr. Al Atat was warmly welcomed by LOST executives and staff and his support was highly appreciated. The meeting ended by taking photos and celebrating the beginning of a promising cooperation in the future.

Massive Participation in Beirut Marathon 2010 from Baalbeck Hermel; More than 3000 persons will break the record

  “The number of participants that will run for LOST will exceed 3500 persons this year; more than 2600 will come down from Baalbeck-Hermel. It is a new breaking record in the Marathon”, said Hussein Yazbeck, director of Beit Shama Branch in LOST.

Participants from almost every high school in Baalbeck-Hermel will participate in this Marathon. “We are very excited, preparing almost everything we can to make this Marathon a very special day,” affirmed Rana Solh from Baalbeck.

LOST will manage to provide every logistical detail to help runners from Baalbeck-Hermel to participate actively and make the Marathon this year a great day.  They will run to reinforce a message that LOST is promoting all times “We live together, We run together!”

Mrs. May Khalil supports Women’s Empowerment Program in Baalbeck

Mrs. May Khalil
President of Beirut Marathon Association

Mrs. May Khalil the president of Beirut Marathon Association supported and funded special English and IT training courses for more than 40 women in Baalbeck. This course is part of the Women’s Empowerment program that LOST is managing in its four branches in Baalbeck, Ein, Beit Shama and Hermel. LOST would like to greet and thank Mrs. Khalil for its generous support.

Honoring Mrs. May Khalil and Dr. Zuhair Chokr

Dr Lakkis
honoring Mrs Khalil and Dr Chokr

Sunday October 10 witnessed the honoring of two Lebanese great figures; Mrs. May Khalil, the president of Beirut Marathon Association and Dr. Zuhair Chokr, the president of the Lebanese University. The event was conducted in Baalbeck and was attended by more than 400 academic, political, social and municipal figures.

The special event started at 12:30 pm with the Lebanese National Anthem followed by a warm welcoming speech by Mr. Hussein Yazbeck, the director of Beit Shama branch in LOST, who launched the Beirut Marathon participation campaign in Baalbeck Hermel. Dr. Ramy Lakkis, the founder of LOST then declared that “this year the participation of Baalbeck-Hermel is going to be massive.” He added that “we took the occasion of this honoring event to announce that the participation in the Marathon this year is dedicated to support an IT and career guidance program that will target 600 Lebanese University students. The program will start on November 13 in all LOST branches in Baalbeck, Ein, Beit Shama and Hermel.”

Dr. Lakkis’ speech was followed successively with a speech by Mrs. Khalil and Dr. Chokr. Mrs. Khalil thanked LOST and Dr. Chokr for the great efforts that they are doing for the Marathon and called for a substantial participation on November 7 to make this day a “national day”. In his speech Dr. Chokr thanked LOST and said “I think that LOST, Mrs. Khalil and Beirut Marathon Association that deserve to be honored today for the great achievement and contribution that they are doing for the Lebanese youth in our days.” The event ended by handing two honoring shields to Mrs. Khalil and Dr. Chokr.

Women’s Empowerment kicks off on Wednesday Sept. 22

Women’s Empowerment program will kick off on Wednesday 22 September. A new training program that LOST is conducting this fall. Eighty women in all LOST branches will attend special English classes and computer basics training. Each twenty women will be grouped in one class for two months. This program will help participants enroll in other business management courses that are continuously offered at LOST. 

Women’s Empowerment program this year would not have happened without the generous support of Mrs. Rabha Eidi who visited LOST last summer and met executives and senior staff there. Mrs. Eidi is a native of Lebanon, living in Toledo, OH since 1965. Since 2001 she contributed to many successful programs to help Lebanon. She became actively involved with two non-profit organizations to help Lebanon (Dar Al Hanan and Sadr Foundation). She currently is the International Director for Sadr Foundation U.S.A and Canada. In 2009, Mrs. Eidi received the “Expatriates Medal” from the General Directorate of the Lebanese Ministry Foreign Affairs.

A Life Changing Step

     “I’ve always believed that I have a role play in my life” said Sabah the determined mother and housewife. She continued talking about her decision she once made to change her life. So, she has thought a lot how to leap the first step in the long way which wasn’t paved for her. She was fought by her fellow-women “who were only used to gossiping, visiting each other without thinking how to take advantage of their time and to be productive members in society.”
   
    Sabah lived a dream that tickled her imagination day and night, and began blooming when she told her understanding husband and sons who agreed to support her. “I wanted to have steady steps and to have a unique role and make a difference in my life as a mother and as a citizen. I realized that I had  to learn English to help my sons to be successful in their studies especially  they were at crossing roads in their life. This is the way that led me to know LOST  and its staff who helped me to make my dream come true.” 

     “ At first, I took two English courses that gave me the chance to meet new people who I permanently compared myself to, and I secretly decided to be  good at computer as Suzan, one of my ambitious classmates, and to do a teaching course as Ola, another young fresh-graduate student who wanted to be a professional English teacher.” Yes, believe or not, Sabah has done both courses and she has been one of the brilliant students in her classes. She has never been absent only when she had lung surgery. You know what? A week after she left the hospital, she was in her class asking her teacher to make-up what she had missed.

     “LOST is the right place that I recommend to everyone I like. My husband and sons are proud of my achievement there, and they tell our visitors about my commitment and devotion of doing a very good job. Ah, I forgot to tell you, my son is doing an English course at LOST to improve his English because he wants to pass his high school official exam after he failed last year. The good thing is that I can help him at home  now since I took the same course.”

Celebrating Success in LOST’s 10th Annual Iftar

 

The Lebanese  Organization  of  Studies  and  Training  (LOST) organized its  10th annual Iftar in Baalbeck  on  August 15th , 2010 in the presence of H.E. Ali Abdullah, Minister of Youth and Sports to celebrate its 12th anniversary. Several religious, military and social figures attended the ceremony which counted an audience of over 450 persons. Distribution of certificates was held during the event. Fifteen certificates were issued to trainees who have attended an Educational Counseling Course, in addition to certificates distributed to 70 students who have successfully completed  100 hours of TOEFL exam preparation course.
 “Educational Counseling was something far from reach and LOST made it reachable. There was no chance in our deprived region to even know that such course exists; however, LOST made it available. I was just a teacher, now I feel I can be a counselor and an educator” said Alaa a teacher from Chmostar.

I learned the meaning of Peace

When he first took part in the Youth Academy of Peace, Mohamad felt worried because he had to work with people from different religions and sects. In his opinion, people are grouped according to their sectarian identities. He has the judgment of a divided society and he could not make any change alone. However, this conviction has changed after he joined the Academy for three months in Ein. He found in LOST a place to learn, share and exchange ideas with others. He realized later that sectarian difference is not a negative thing; on the contrary it could be a motive for creativity and innovation. He also shared his experience with others and built up his communication skills in a manner that he didn’t do before.

“In the Academy of Peace I learned how to communicate with others, I participated actively in workshops and debates about tolerance and building peace in society. I learned the meaning of peace and I felt that I really want to build it in my neighborhood. Most importantly, I found out that the more we work together the better we become.” The Academy is not only a place to make friends, but it’s a program to empower and engage youth in social and public life. Although it’s only a three month program, however, it offers a type of education and learning that is unique in the region.

“Youth are not protected in our society, they are easily infected by the diseases of sectarian divide, but our job here is to shelter them. In fact, we organize special workshops and debates about citizenship and civic participation, peace and tolerance in order to make youth more aware and confident of their existence and their vigorous role in society. We help them to become Lebanese active citizens away of sectarianism!” affirmed Ali Nazha, the Academy coordinator at Ein Branch.

The Youth Academy of Peace is a youth engagement program that LOST is continuously running every three months throughout the year. It comprises a set of civic workshops and a 32-hour social media and IT training, in addition to a number of activities that participants suggest and implement themselves. It makes a difference when hundreds of youth participants attend every year, they learn the meaning of peace and they can create it.

Summer Camps: More than Fun

  "I've never enjoyed summer time as this summer” said Assil Raad, an eight-year- girl in the kids’ summer camp that the Lebanese Organization of Studies and Training (LOST) is organizing this year. Her mother said: "this camp is a good opportunity for my daughter to discover her abilities and talents. 

It is more than just fun and games; it is a real life experience for children of her age. It is a prospect in places where there are no many.”
On the 6th of July 2010 the" Summer Camp for Kids” was launched by LOST targeting groups of less fortunate children in Baalbeck-Hermel. One hundred and sixty nine kids are attending the daily camp in the four branches of LOST. The main activities of the camp are: teaching English and IT, trips, and talents shows, in addition to different recreational activities. It gives them the opportunity to learn English and participate in activities such as visiting the zoo, reading stories and watching movies. Also, it promotes their environmental awareness and amuses them in a process of learning which is unique in the region. These kids miss every entertaining activity in a region which lacks recreational facilities. The camps bring them more than happiness!

Computer Training

Team Work

Women's Empowerment through Educational Counseling

Educational Counseling workshop

  “Life has not given me the chance to finish school. Sometimes, I feel embarrassed if I cannot understand what my two little children want. After attending the educational counseling course at LOST, I really felt that I am a real mother, I learned how to react wisely, slowly and I can understand what they need. I am very happy to realize that my children are protected by my knowledge and experience in life” said Sawsan after accomplishing the new educational counseling course that was run at LOST this summer.

       “Educational Counseling is a step toward women empowerment” affirmed Omar Bayan the Director of the Educational Commission at LOST. “This course is a wonderful opportunity for women being mothers or teachers especially for those who live in hardship. It offers them the capacity to learn and practice new models and techniques of education that could be applied in school or at home” he added.

Educational Counseling workshop

       This course is divided into two parts: the first one is a set of workshops on the main theories of educational counseling and its importance in real life practices; the second part has many evaluation sessions concerning the different problems that teachers and mothers might face. Theoretical views and practical ways on how to be successful counselors are dealt with throughout this course.


      Educational Counseling gives trainees many ways to improve their roles as educators and counselors. This course was made to allow participants to promote their participation in society and to satisfy their kids' educational and psychological needs, even when social and economical situations are bad.

Women Empowerment

With its Women’s Empowerment project for enhancing women’s entrepreneurial skills, LOST organizes a program that includes a micro-enterprise management course for 40 women between 20 and 40 years of age from different rural areas in Northern Lebanon, as well as English and IT courses, to become more economically independent.

Youth Programs

In the efforts of lessening deviation towards sectarian violence and promoting constructive communication among youth of different sectarian backgrounds, LOST announced a three month course covering citizenship, conflict resolution, and civic participation through the Academy of Peace project. More than 60 young citizens enrolled in 3 different locations in north Bekaa. The participants learned to share their opinion on issues deeply related to their lives. The project was concluded by an art exhibition and three plays that reflected participants understanding of the project.

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Farah Mahfoud
16 years old
A Participant of
Academy of Peace

When they first told me about the host program and that I have to visit strangers from a different sect, religion, and region, I was frankly reluctant, hesitant, and a little afraid of going to visit strangers and the way in which they might react.
I was really amazed and surprised by their warm welcome. They were teenagers who shared my interests and many of my points of view with respect to the different subjects we are being trained on such as citizenship and conflict resolution .We found that we have similar ideas that we can discuss and share. I was very happy to meet them and that I got the opportunity to break the ice and to change my pre-judgment and to understand others.
I learned from this experience that I should be open to others and try my best to communicate before I build thoughts. Although some people live in another place and have different beliefs, they belong to the same country and all their ideas serve our country but we just have to share it.

Camps For Kids

Zoo visit

Zoo visit

 LOST has launched a series of Camps for Children between 7 and 12 years of age in the hopes of creating alternative spaces for the expression of creativity. A hundred children participate in the project, lasting 3 weeks, which includes at least two of five activities: Theater, Drawing, English, Sports, and field activities.

About us

The Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training -LOST- is a non profit organization aiming to raise public awareness, especially among youth. It seeks to contribute to the social and economic development of the  community of Baalbeck-Hermel by enhancing local capacities and participation in order to create a more developed and equitable society. LOST hopes to make this vision a reality by reducing poverty and eliminating exclusion. Its programs are intended to help, train and educate local residents, be they women, teenagers, or young children.