In recent months, the situation in Lebanon has shown signs of slow improvement. The ceasefire and the recent appointment of a new president have brought a breath of hope to a country that is trying to get back on its feet after years of economic and political difficulties, even though the most recent developments have clearly shown the fragility of the situation for the local population.
In this context of uncertainty, the Salesian house continues to play a crucial role in offering support to those in need, with a focus on education, reconciliation and solidarity.
‘The heart of the Salesian mission lies in the diversity of the people we help: young Lebanese, Syrian and Iraqi refugees, each with their own story of suffering and hope. Although the challenges are many, every day offers us new opportunities to do good,’ Salesians at the Al Fidar centre say.
‘With Lebanese and Iraqi children,’ they continue, ’we focus on schooling and emotional support through oratory activities. These become places where values such as solidarity, friendship and hope for the future are cultivated. For Syrian refugees, our main focus is on the oratory, which becomes a space where, despite daily difficulties, they can feel free to dream and discover talents they might otherwise not have had the chance to express. Each encounter is a small step towards building a sense of dignity and humanity'.
Rami, a refugee from Syria, is one of the many young people who attend the Salesian oratory. He arrived in Lebanon with his family, fleeing the conflict, and found himself facing a reality of poverty and disorientation. The first encounter with the oratory was difficult for him: an introverted boy marked by suffering and with few references. However, as time passed, he began to feel part of something bigger, of a community that offered him a safe haven.
‘Here I feel accepted for who I am, not as a refugee but as a boy who has the opportunity to learn and to dream,’ says Rami. His experience reflects how important it is for young people, especially those scarred by war, to have the opportunity to hope for a better future.
During last year's conflict, the Salesian house took in more than 100 displaced people from southern Lebanon. For them, finding refuge in a time of violence and instability was a sign of concrete solidarity. The stories of suffering shared between people of different cultures and origins have cemented bonds of trust and understanding. The community went to great lengths to ensure that these displaced people were not just helped, but accompanied in the recovery of hope.
‘The mission that guides us every day is inspired by Don Bosco's Salesian charism, which sees education as a fundamental means to change the lives of young people and communities,’ the Salesians at Al Fidar say.
It is not just about teaching, but about growing together, offering support, walking side by side with those in need. The spiritual component plays an equally important role: faith motivates the Salesians and the entire educational community and supports them in difficult moments, while every welcoming gesture becomes a concrete testimony of God's love.
While the situation in Lebanon continues to evolve slowly, the mission of the Salesian community remains firmly focused on the future. The goal is not only to respond to the immediate needs of the population, but to build the foundations for a more just and united community. The road will still be long, but the goal is clear: ‘we want to be a light of hope for every young person, for every family, for every person who needs to find a reason to believe in tomorrow,’ they say.
The Salesian house continues to be a refuge not only of material help, but of hope and human and spiritual growth. In this historical moment of change, the Salesian mission in Lebanon confirms itself as a beacon of solidarity, ready to respond to the needs of the community lovingly and practically.
