Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Academy of Active Citizens

 The Academy of Youth is preparing youth to be more engaged in civic affairs. After a series of interactive workshops on citizenship, civic participation and conflict resolution for around three months, youth became more aware of their role and duties in society. They became more involved in community affairs. In fact, they decided to respond to the call of the Ministry of Culture to clean the inside of the ruins of Ballbeck. On Saturday the 23rd of July more than 160 youth participated in the cleaning campaign for more than four hours of hard work. The campaign by itself was a practical call to draw the attention of local authorities to do its work more than an event to clean the temples of Baalbeck. This is the right based approach that youth have learned in the Academy.
The engagement of youth in community issues was reflected  by drawing murals with different messages visualizing their calls  to draw attention to issues  they found relevant in their communities. In Hermel, youth preferred to send a clear message for people to take care of their environment, in Baalbeck, youth decided to draw different road signs signaling a special care to road safety since they believed that many citizens of their ages are victims of car accidents and damages.


Sunday, August 7, 2011

Meaningful movies at LOST

The Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training organizes weekly meaningful movies for children in Arabic and English languages in its 4 branches.
This activity organized by LOST is targeting groups of less fortunate children in Baalbeck- Hermel.More than 30 kids are attending these movies every week. Such activities give kids the opportunity to learn English through enjoyable modes. These kids miss every entertaining activity in a region which lacks recreational facilities. The movies bring them more than happiness.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Conflict Resolution for teachers in Baalbeck

LOST is organizing a conflict resolution training course in Baalbeck. This new course aims at training teachers on how they can resolve the various types of conflicts that usually occur between students and teachers or between students’ parents and the teaching staff in any school.
In the first course offered this spring more than 20 teachers from different schools in Baalbeck- Hermel participated. Such course included training on the following topics: the roots of conflict, the different skills of conflict resolution such as dialogue, negotiation, mediation and adjudication.
“It was a chance provided by LOST to help us solving the problems that we face in teaching.” Was a statement repeated by all trainees.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

A Cleaning campaign in the ruins of Baalbeck

The Academies of Youth in Baalbeck, Ein, Chmostar and Hermel (LOST) in collaboration with the Directorate of Antiquities and the Lebanese Army launched a cleaning campaign in the Ruins of Baalbeck on Saturday July 23rd. More than 160 students from various high schools of Baalbeck- Hermel participated in this campaign. Ali Meqdad, a youth club member confirmed that “this campaign is a remarkable activity that teaches youth how to be more connected to their heritage and culture.”
Dr. Ramy Lakkis, the founder of LOST explained that the campaign is one practical activity of the Academy of Youth that LOST is conducting for summer 2011 in cooperation with Action Aid- Denmark. Dr. Lakkis added that such Academy aims at building the capacity of youth men and women and helping them to participate effectively in the development of their local communities.
The Academy of Youth 2011 project consists of two main components. The first one is made up of numerous workshops on citizenship, civic participation and conflict resolution. The second part includes theater training and several civic activities.
 “It was a day of special taste. It was a chance provided by LOST to serve our community and protect the famous archeological sites in our region” said Zeinab Ismail from the Academy of Youth.





















Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Poetry evening at LOST-Beit Shema

As part of the Academy of Youth and Municipal Work program, LOST-Beit Shema branch organized a poetry evening for the Lebanese poet Mr. Sleiman Jomaa in the presence of several political, social and academic figures.
After the Lebanese Anthem, Miss Hanine Mahfoud from LOST welcomed the audience and explained the main objectives of LOST. “LOST seeks to contribute to the social and economic development of the community of Baalbeck- Hermel by enhancing youth capacities and developing youth talents” said Miss Mahfoud.
Following Miss Mahfoud's welcoming note a speech delivered by Mr. Alaa Abi Raad from LOST who explained the various programs offered by LOST  which include: Medical English, Women’s Empowerment, IT and Social Media courses in addition to English Summer School and French Summer School. Mr. Abi Raad affirmed that these programs are intended to help, train and educate local residents, be they women, teenagers or young children in order to create a more developed society.
In his turn, the Lebanese poet Mr. Sleiman Jomaa delivered to the audience a set of his most beautiful poems.
The event ended by distributing English and IT certificates to LCEC students who have successfully completed English and IT courses at LOST center.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

English and IT Certificate Distribution in Hermel

The Lebanese Organization of Studies and Training organized a graduation ceremony on June 26th, 2011 at Hermel  in the presence of the manager of Mabarrat in Hermel Mr. Mohammad Saaid and several social and academic figures.

After the Lebanese Anthem, a short film highlighting the different educational programs offered by LOST was presented. Mr. Ahmad Sahely from LOST talked about the projects implemented Hermel in 2011 and its importance in reducing poverty and eliminating exclusion in local communities.

In his turn, Dr. Ramy Lakkis, the founder of LOST delivered a speech in which he affirmed that the Academy of Youth and Municipal Work is part of LOST’S strategy in helping youth to become active citizens capable of participating effectively in public life.

The event ended by handing a honoring shield to Mr. Mohammad Saaid who thanked LOST for her nice gesture and by distributing more than 40 certificates to English and IT trainees.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Distributing certificates to English and IT trainees


The Lebanese Organization of Studies and Training organized a graduation ceremony on June 20th, 2011 in Baalbeck in the presence of several political, social and academic figures. More than 60 trainees were handed certificates in English and IT.
Among the trainees were four Mokhtars from Baalbeck who have attended a computer course, 20 women who have attended English and IT courses at LOST center in addition to doctors of different medical specializations who have subscribed in an English Medical Course in order to enrich their background of medical terminologies and idioms. More than 20 teachers have successfully completed a “Methodology of Teaching” course and received certificates.
At the end, Dr. Ramy Lakkis handed “Thank You” letters to the sports’ teachers   of Baalbeck-Hermel for their participation in the Baalbeck Race “Run for Lebanon” that was held in May 2011.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Poetry Evening at LOST- Ein

The Academy of Youth and Municipal Work at LOST-Ein branch organized a poetry evening for the Lebanese Poet Mr. Hany Soukarieh with massive participation of political, social and academic figures.
After the Lebanese Anthem, Mr. Hussein El Mawla from LOST welcomed the audience and explained the role of the Academy in developing youth talents.
In his turn, the Lebanese poet Mr. Hany Soukarieh presented a bouquet of his most beautiful poems.
Moreover, Nibal Harba from Ein Youth Club talked about the “hosting program” organized by LOST as part of the “Academy of Youth and Municipal Work” program. She stressed on the importance of such program in breaking ice and reducing sectarian divide among youth from different sects.
“Such activity had a deep impact on us since it helped us to accept our friends and partners from other sects”, added Nibal Harba.
The poetry evening ended by offering a honoring shield to the Lebanese Poet Mr. Hany Soukarieh.


Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Youth and Tourism


“The role of youth and technology in tourism” was the title of the ceremony organized by LOST on June 20, 2011 at Tammouz hall-Baalbeck in the presence of Mr. Elie Saba representing H.E. the Minister of Tourism Mr. Fadi Abboud, Dr. Ramy Lakkis the founder of LOST in addition to several social and academic figures. After the Lebanese Anthem, Miss Tahreer Awde from LOST welcomed the audience and considered that the Academy of Youth and Municipal Work is not just four words but it is four seas full of movement, change, energy and creativity. This creativity is shown by the skillful use of technological tools by youth in order to advertise and market many touristic places in Baalbeck- Hermel.
Following Miss Awde’s welcoming note four short films prepared by the youth of the Academy were shown to pinpoint the beautiful touristic attractions of Baalbeck, Fakeha, Chmestar and Hermel.
Mr. Salah Zayter from LOST delivered a speech in which he stressed on the active role of the Academy of Youth and Municipal Work in developing Youth talents and enhancing the youth activism. “Citizens may help in developing tourism provided that the public institutions involved become more receptive. Government must cooperate with the various organizations of the civil society in order to expand touristic milieux in Lebanon”, added Mr. Zayter.
In his turn, Mr. Elie Saba thanked LOST for her generous efforts in serving local societies. Mr. Saba affirmed that the Youth of Baalbeck-Hermel are able to serve their community and participate in the development of their society. He considered that the short films prepared by youth reflect their patriotism and how much they love their villages and their country Lebanon.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Enjoy Poetry in Hermel

The Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training-Hermel branch organized a poetry evening for the Lebanese poet Mr. Bassam Mousa.
This event was a part of the “Academy of Youth and Municipal Work” program that LOST is implementing in its four branches in Baalbeck-Hermel. Several political, social and academic figures attended the event with massive participation of youth and their parents.

Miss Rouba Makhour from LOST welcomed the audience and stressed on the role of the Academy in engaging youth in social activities so that they become Lebanese active citizens capable of developing their country.

In his turn, the Lebanese poet Mr. Bassam Mousa thanked LOST for her nice gesture and delivered to the audience a set of his wonderful poems.
At the end, Dr. Ramy Lakkis, the founder of LOST handed a honoring shield to Mr. Bassam Mousa.