ST BARBARA LEBANON RELIEF FUND

When the situation in Lebanon became unbearable, our organization was formed to give a push and help the suffering Lebanese people with whatever God provides.  You came and stepped up to answer the call of our Lord, since you heard His gentle voice " whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me". May our Lord bless you and your families always, and may His name be glorified forever through the love and good work of His faithful!!

Brothers and sisters in Christ,

With joy and thankfulness we report to you the work that our organization has done in Lebanon through your generosity, for the past months of June and July. 

 We started our work with a blessed visit to his eminence Metropolitan Ephraim Kyriakos of Tripoli and Koura, and we assessed the needs.  The need was so great for food, diapers and medicine.   Sixty grocery store vouchers ($50 each)  and adult diapers were distributed to the neediest families through the House of Family and Youth organization established by Metropolitan Ephraim Kyriakos (please see pictures below).  A nursing home in Mina recommended by Metropolitan Ephraim, was helped with diapers, cleaning supplies, toiletries and meat (2 kg of meat a week from a local butcher for 10 weeks).  The Orthodox Youth Movement, social work department distributed meat and chicken vouchers to 33 families in Mina, in addition to purchasing medicine to support a local clinic. The chicken and meat vouchers were all used up within 2 days from distribution. We heard how families were happy to finally add meat to their meals, since they couldn't afford to buy it since last Pascha when it was donated to them.  To give you an idea, 1Kg of meat cost around $12, and many families are living on a income of no more than $50 a month, if they are employed. One hundred bags of food assembled by Orthodox Youth Movement members and a priest were distributed to 11 areas in north Lebanon including Fih, Amioun, Barsa, Kfarhazir, Dede, Bishmizzine, Chekka, Kosba, Bedeba, Beterram, Bsarma, Kfarsaroun, Kfarakka, Anfe, Hakel Al Aziemeh, Mjdleia,  Samerieh, Qulhat, Tripoli, El Minieh, and El Mina.  

We had a long drive getting to Zahle, but it was an enjoyable scenic drive passing through the beautiful villages in Lebanon.  We arrived to the chancery, where Metropolitan Antonios resides with monks and nuns living in different quarters, and helping his eminence with his ministry.  There was so much joy and hospitality all around and we got to venerate the relics of many Orthodox Saints at the Chapel of the chancery.  We participated in the hot meal distribution project on a Wednesday at St. Nicholas restaurant, adjacent to the chancery.  We supported the Good Samaritan hot meal program for 4 weeks.  We also supported the purchasing of grains, cans, vegetable oil, powdered milk and other food that the archdiocese distributes to the neediest families in the following areas: Zahle, Taalbaya, Jdita, Qob Elias, Ammik, Mashghara, Jeb Jennine, Aita Al Fakhar, Mekseh, and Qaraoun.  Medicine for cholesterol, hypertension, allergy and many other conditions was purchased to support the St Nektarios Dispensary and dental clinic at Qousaya . 

We visited Metropolitan Silouan at the chancery in  Broummana, and it was truly a blessed visit to his eminence where we discussed the needs of the largest Orthodox archdiocese in Lebanon.  Medicine was purchased to support the clinics for the orthodox youth movement in Batroun, the medical center of Wadi Chahrour and the Socio-medical Dispensary of Al-Nabaa.  One hundred food bags were assembled by members of the Orthodox Youth Movement and by orthodox priests. They were distributed to the following areas: Raskifa, Mazraat Assaf, Bziza, Kaftoun, Wahjh Al Hajar, Kouba, Kfour Al Arbi, Kfarhelda, Kfarhata, Douma, Hamat, and Batroun.  We also supported Assafina organization for handicaps in Batroun and the elderly home in Douma (established by Metropolitan Antony Bashir, of thrice-blessed memory) with purchase of heating oil for the winter season.   Twenty-nine grocery store vouchers valued at $50 each were distributed to the most vulnerable members of the police department in Batroun. The members of the police department come from different areas in Lebanon, and not only from Batroun. 

Please join us in continuing to make a difference in the life of many Lebanese families!!! Whether you want to donate, volunteer, or simply learn more, there are many ways to get involved and support our work.  Please check below information on how to contact us and how to support us financially whether through monthly or yearly contributions.  

From what we learned by visiting Lebanon and watching closely the living conditions, we can say that a lot of help is still needed. The economic situation is not improving at all, and so many Lebanese families are suffering right now and in need of our help!! Our plan is to continue supporting the archdioceses that we already helped and to expand our ministry to reach out to more areas in Lebanon that we haven't helped yet.

We end with words from a thank you letter that Metropolitan Ephraim wrote to us:

"We pray that the Lord grant you health and pour His divine and earthly gifts on you and your family, and make the souls of your beloved departed dwell in His eternal kingdom, with the most Holy Mother of God and the Saints" Amen!