- DATE: December 26 - 28, 2006
- PLACE: Rmeich, Aain Ebel, Debl, Yaroun and Aalma el Shaab
- TYPE OF PROJECT: distribution of Christmas sweaters for senior citizens
- QUANTITY: 1183
- RECIPIENTS: senior citizens of five villages in the South of Lebanon
- PARTNERSHIP: Greek Catholic Church of Baraasheet
DESCRIPTION
“Heart for Lebanon ” led a team of volunteers to the South of Lebanon from the 26 th to 28 th December 2006 and distributed 1183 sweaters to senior citizens in five different villages. These villages are located along the UN blue line ( that defines the border between Lebanon and Israel ) and were severely affected by the July war.
The villages are located 600 to 800 meters above sea level. Their citizens are fighting the cold winter month of Lebanon where the temperature at night drops to 2-3 degrees Celsius. Heart for Lebanon 's goal was to provide a mean to help keep people warm during this winter.
Elderly men (64 years old and up) and women (60 years old and up) were chosen to be the recipients for two reasons. First, they are rarely visited by anyone or any organization who offer relief supplies. Second, they are more fragile health wise and prone to illnesses.
Therefore, with our gifts ready, we went door to door to every house. We greeted them with warm Christmas wishes, gave them their presents and reminded them of the most important gift that was given to us in this Christmas season, Jesus Christ.
The villagers, mostly from Christian-Maronite background, were very surprised by our visit in such a cold, rainy and even snowy weather. They felt loved and cared for! A widow that lives alone, wept when we offered her the sweater. Another man, after being reluctant to receive the gift at first, accepted it with teary eyes when one of our volunteers insisted that he takes it.
We were so blessed to draw a smile on their faces. Our prayer is that God would extend his grace and mercy through us to these villagers who are thirsty for His love and warmth!