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.