Life at Caritas Lebanon

Caritas Lebanon says goodbye to Father Louis Samaha and prepares to welcome Father Simon Faddoul

After two consecutive mandates as President of Caritas Lebanon, Father Louis Samaha is handing over to his successor. On the 16th February 2010, Father Simon Faddoul will take over for a first three-year mandate; he was elected by the Assembly of Patriarchs and Catholic Bishops in Lebanon, last November. 

Since the beginning of December 2009, all Sectors, Centers and other structures of Caritas Lebanon pay tribute to Father President and officially say goodbye to him, through various ceremonies that have been scheduled for the occasion. Father Samaha’s mandate commenced in January 2004 and is highlighted by several accomplishments regarding the reinforcement of the primary health services provided by the Medico-Social Centers and the Mobile Clinics, the support to vulnerable people through the foundation of three humanitarian centers (See Details Chapter Activities/ Health and Humanitarian Centers) and the opening of The Friendship Meal restaurants for disfavored people, in five areas of Lebanon. The Evening Studies Program has been launched also in five cities and provides children living in difficult conditions with the right educational support to facilitate their learning and their academic success. New socio-economic development programs, implemented in cooperation with local and international partner, mainly target inhabitants of rural areas, youth and women, in view of stopping their migration towards the main cities. Moreover, two other achievements were made in the frame of Caritas Lebanon support to young people, the nation’s future. In 2008, the Youth Center for Dialogue and Reconciliation was founded in Rayfoun, in order to provide them with a place to meet and meditate. Also, inaugurated last fall, the Higher Institute for Technical Education offers various free-of-charge technical and professional education that lead to leading to official Lebanese degrees in technical education.