USAID Lebanon: From the American People
 

PRESS RELEASE

U.S. GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS FOUR LEBANESE NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

Friday, November 07, 2008

Beirut, Lebanon

Ambassador Michele J. Sison and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Lebanon Mission Director Denise A. Herbol presented four checks totaling $198,840 to four Lebanese non-governmental organizations at a ceremony held at Father Afif Osseiran Foundation in Fanar on November 7, 2008.  USAID’s assistance targets local non-governmental organizations benefiting disadvantaged and vulnerable groups such as the disabled, orphans, children, students at free of charge schools, patients in low-cost dispensaries, at-risk youth, and the elderly.

The four organizations which received funding are:

1) $50,000 to the Father Afif Osseirane Foundation “Foyer de la Providence”: Located in Fanar, the foundation provides social services to 100 socially and economically disadvantaged young boys. USAID’s assistance will help improve the center’s vocational training facilities and classrooms.

2) $50,000 to the Association of Graduates – Institute of Fine Arts at the Lebanese University: The organization provides educational services to 274 economically disadvantaged students on a yearly basis. USAID’s assistance will help the organization purchase equipment for the Lebanese University Fourth Branch in Deir El Qamar..

3) $50,000 to the Mission de Vie: Located in Antelias, Mission de Vie is dedicated to improving the living and learning conditions of homeless individuals. USAID’s assistance will help the organization achieve its goal of helping more than seventy homeless individuals per year.

4) $48,840 to the Youth Association for the Blind: Headquartered in Beirut and with operations in Tripoli, Nabatiye and Sidon, the organization’s mandate is to help visually impaired children in the North and the South have access to quality education as well as to integrate  the children into regular schools. USAID’s assistance will help the organization improve its overall services.
USAID has worked in Lebanon since 1951, funding development projects to benefit Lebanese citizens. With funds from the American people, USAID creates jobs, invests in youth and protects the environment in Lebanon. USAID’s work reflects the strong friendship between the Lebanese and American people.