Amel Association

1. Founded in 1979 to provide relief and emergency assistance to the most underprivileged war victims, further to the first Israeli invasion of South Lebanon in 1978 Amel Association • A non-profit, non-governmental organization, and recognized public utility • Has always worked on a non sectarian basis, considering secularism at the core of its action

2. History Stage 3 1995 – Present Integrated Development: Stage 2 1990 – 1994 Shift from Emergency to Development Stage 1 1979 till 1989 Relief work and emergency assistance: • maternal & children's health programs • vaccination • health education campaigns • socio-educational & literacy campaigns • vocational trainings • rehabilitation of the handicapped • 10 dispensaries • 3 maternity-clinics • 3 medical centers • physiotherapy center • Treatment abroad • rehabilitation program for handicapped war victims • Medical / Health Activities • Vocational training • Educational Opportunities • Democracy and Human Rights • Rural Development

3. Amel’s general objectives

4. Amel’s Centers

5. Story Behind Founding Chiah Center • Opened in July 2007 with the collaboration of the UNCHR with the purpose to welcome Iraqi refugees in a safe and friendly place where they are provided with social services and activities. • Attracted 600 Iraqi refugees & benefited from the running programs and activities at the center • Based on a participatory approach and targeting the whole family, the activities implemented aim at enhancing Iraqi refugees’ well-being while the services provided intend to improve their livelihoods

6. Services/ Activities at Chiah Center • A wide range of services and activities made available at the centre as a mean to improve Iraqi refugees’ well-being: • Non formal education for children • Non formal education for adults • Vocational training • Awareness and sensitization sessions • Social and psychological counseling • Psychosocial activities • Prevention of Child Labor among the Iraqi Refugee Children in Lebanon through Basic Education and Skills Training (ILO)

7. Objectives of ILO Action Program: At the end of the project, 100 girls and boys aged 13-17 years are assisted to gain basic education and new skills that would allow them to work in safe environments and under better conditions. Objective 1 At the end of the project, NGOs, families and the refugee community are made aware of risks associated with child labor and its immediate and long term impact Objective 2

8. Summary of AP major activities Assisting 100 Iraqi refugee children through Prevention of 50 children at risk of dropping out from schools with appropriate form of alternative remedial education, using The Study Station for Children at Chiah Amel Center, in addition to the provision of life skills training Providing them remedial or literacy classes at Chiah Amel Center and through referrals to VT institutions. In addition to awareness raising sessions related to HIV/Aids, sexual and gender based violence, WFCL, and education value issues Withdrawal of 50 working children from WFCL and improving their working conditions, by: Providing basic education and skills training that would enable them to work in a safer environment, free of exploitation physical or moral abuse

9. Results 14 Private schools and 13 public schools in southern suburbs of Beirut and other places in Beirut and Lebanon Mountain were contacted as well. 30 Vocational Training Institutes were mapped and contacted in Southern Suburbs of Beirut and other places in Beirut and Lebanon Mountain 80 Iraqi Refugee children (48 boys aged between 7 years and 17 years / 32 girls aged between 8 years and 17 years) and their families were identified, contacted and enrolled in the AP. • 30 working Iraqi refugee children that were enrolled in the Ap: • 20 children were completely withdrawn from work and enrolled in vocational training institutions. • 10 working Iraqi refugee children were moved to acceptable working conditions and enrolled in AVT programs

10. Results 50 children were identified as either drop outs from schools or children at risk of dropping out from schools due to many reasons related to migration, repeated failure, learning difficulties, poverty and poor economical and financial situations. • 25 (15 boys/ 10 girls) children were identified as being at risk of dropping out from schools and were prevented through: • 25 (13 boys/12 girls) children were either drop outs or have dropped out from schools before. • Study station and remedial & literacy classes • through awareness sessions and other activities related to prevention of Human Rights in general and Children’s rights in particular • Other issues and subjects

11. Difficulties Convince school principals to allow drop outs enroll in formal education Reach Iraqi working children Convince parents to allow their children to enroll in our AP Reach for Iraqi refugees in general. trust between Chiah Center team & Iraqis beneficiaries Convince them to visit Chiah center Lack of awareness on dangers & risks of WFCL Financial / budget constraints Lack of Iraqi families commitment

12. Lessons Learned • Adapt our activities & program to the Iraqis needs and interests accordingly. • Collaboration with UNHCR & its partners as Caritas, MECC & NRC helped us achieve our objectives through referral system. • Launch awareness campaigns about prevention issues related to child labor and exploitation. • Taking into consideration drop-out children opinion can help finding solutions. • Reintegrated children in formal education are the best messengers to others who are out of schools. • Raise more funds & resources to expand our initiative and activities

13. Sustainability • Establishment of Chiah Center dedicated for that purpose • A very well qualified working team • Collaboration with UNHCR & other International Organizations • Expansion of the activities by opening another center at Tayoneh, Beirut in June 2008 (Previously Arcenciel). • Elaboration of new ideas for fundraising • Expansion of programs and activities targeting other nationalities.

14. Thank You www.amel.org.lb