Manara
"Inspirational Center for Teens and Young Adults"
"From The Front Line"
A Film By
Young Syrian Filmmakers
The Youth of the Manara Center
Wider context:
Of the estimated 1.5 million refugees in Lebanon, over 50% are under the age of 18. Out of the 437,000 children registered by the UNHCR, only one third of them are currently enrolled in a Lebanese public school. Since registration was suspended in 2015, the number of children outside of school likely exceeds half a million, with many of them having already missed up to 6 years of education and those that do increasingly dropping out at a young age so as to support their families. This is compounded by a lack of vocational training and wider employment restrictions for refugees that means over 70% of refugees are living below the Lebanese poverty line on less than $4 per day with widespread child employment.
The situation is further exacerbated by sharply declining aid budgets; with the UNHCR, for example, receiving only $900m out of the $2.5bn it requested as essential for Lebanon in 2017, and as of June 2017 having reached only 8% of the $2bn it requested for 2018. This is set against a backdrop of the ongoing conflict in Syria and increasing restrictions on asylum for refugees in other countries that demands an increasing focus and commitment on long-term sustainable programmers that enable and support refugees within their communities to meet their own needs.
In the Bekaa Valley, there are a growing number of dis-satisfied and under-educated youth. Their future is extremely uncertain with many, with boys forced to work as laborers at an early age and girls having to enter into marriage. Most NGOs operating in the Bekaa Valley are focusing on children and women, meaning what aid there is does little to address adolescents' needs and growing frustration.
Manara establishes a community center geared specifically towards teenagers and young adults. Combining sport, music, art, technology and vocational training along with professional psycho-social support and inspirational leadership we are creating a space for those who are most left behind, and those to whom the future depends, to work together in inspiring each other towards a life beyond war, labour and the confines of a settlement.
Of the estimated 1.5 million refugees in Lebanon, over 50% are under the age of 18. Out of the 437,000 children registered by the UNHCR, only one third of them are currently enrolled in a Lebanese public school. Since registration was suspended in 2015, the number of children outside of school likely exceeds half a million, with many of them having already missed up to 6 years of education and those that do increasingly dropping out at a young age so as to support their families. This is compounded by a lack of vocational training and wider employment restrictions for refugees that means over 70% of refugees are living below the Lebanese poverty line on less than $4 per day with widespread child employment.
The situation is further exacerbated by sharply declining aid budgets; with the UNHCR, for example, receiving only $900m out of the $2.5bn it requested as essential for Lebanon in 2017, and as of June 2017 having reached only 8% of the $2bn it requested for 2018. This is set against a backdrop of the ongoing conflict in Syria and increasing restrictions on asylum for refugees in other countries that demands an increasing focus and commitment on long-term sustainable programmers that enable and support refugees within their communities to meet their own needs.
In the Bekaa Valley, there are a growing number of dis-satisfied and under-educated youth. Their future is extremely uncertain with many, with boys forced to work as laborers at an early age and girls having to enter into marriage. Most NGOs operating in the Bekaa Valley are focusing on children and women, meaning what aid there is does little to address adolescents' needs and growing frustration.
Manara establishes a community center geared specifically towards teenagers and young adults. Combining sport, music, art, technology and vocational training along with professional psycho-social support and inspirational leadership we are creating a space for those who are most left behind, and those to whom the future depends, to work together in inspiring each other towards a life beyond war, labour and the confines of a settlement.
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The Manara Centre:
Manara is being housed at Trisquel Center in Zahle, a center founder by Abir Abdo, targeting troubled youth in here community. Combining under one roof a diverse range of professionally run programs from music, art, theatre, interior design, first aid and vocational training programs. Not only do we aim to provide a much needed safe space away from the everyday confines of settlement life, but also enable and inspire their own passions constructively through vocational and technological training.
The location of the center is easily accessible by public transportation options, but we also provide free transportation to and from settlements and home in far area. At approximately 1300 square feet, the center is a modular components which enable easy adaptability of the space as well as ensuring the utility of the resources long into the future. Whilst the exact running of the programs is dependent upon the input of the community as well as support from regional and international partners and donors; below are the core areas it will focus upon and their respective key objectives:
Manara is being housed at Trisquel Center in Zahle, a center founder by Abir Abdo, targeting troubled youth in here community. Combining under one roof a diverse range of professionally run programs from music, art, theatre, interior design, first aid and vocational training programs. Not only do we aim to provide a much needed safe space away from the everyday confines of settlement life, but also enable and inspire their own passions constructively through vocational and technological training.
The location of the center is easily accessible by public transportation options, but we also provide free transportation to and from settlements and home in far area. At approximately 1300 square feet, the center is a modular components which enable easy adaptability of the space as well as ensuring the utility of the resources long into the future. Whilst the exact running of the programs is dependent upon the input of the community as well as support from regional and international partners and donors; below are the core areas it will focus upon and their respective key objectives:
Music:
Equally important as a means of expression is an engagement with music, the Manara Center has a permanent music room with a range of instruments staffed in such a way to provide a mixture of organised group sessions, and opportunities for individuals to develop their own skills.
As the music program progresses we hope to be able to put on a range of shows and performances for the surrounding community, as well as work on partnerships for recording equipment and studio experience.
Equally important as a means of expression is an engagement with music, the Manara Center has a permanent music room with a range of instruments staffed in such a way to provide a mixture of organised group sessions, and opportunities for individuals to develop their own skills.
As the music program progresses we hope to be able to put on a range of shows and performances for the surrounding community, as well as work on partnerships for recording equipment and studio experience.
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Theatre & Film:
Across Lebanon, theatre and acting form a large part of public entertainment, we want to build upon this with local theatre partners to offer those attending the centre opportunities to develop a range of skills from acting and production to set design.
Our first theater project is a musical written and directed by our theater teacher Ahmad Al Dalati, Story is inspired by the youth attending the program. This piece will be performed in a theater to the community late spring
Building upon this as well as extensive experience in the U.S Independent film industry, we will also aim to provide opportunities for those attending to learn the necessary skills to produce their own films, from writing, directing, acting to fully producing shots and feature films. It is hoped that not only will it give those participating a unique means of depicting their lives, but also to do so in a medium accessible to wider audiences.
We are in the process of completing our first short film written and performed by our youth. The film consists of three short stories inspired by true events captured the imagination of our attendees. This program was mentored by our founder Elias Matar.
Across Lebanon, theatre and acting form a large part of public entertainment, we want to build upon this with local theatre partners to offer those attending the centre opportunities to develop a range of skills from acting and production to set design.
Our first theater project is a musical written and directed by our theater teacher Ahmad Al Dalati, Story is inspired by the youth attending the program. This piece will be performed in a theater to the community late spring
Building upon this as well as extensive experience in the U.S Independent film industry, we will also aim to provide opportunities for those attending to learn the necessary skills to produce their own films, from writing, directing, acting to fully producing shots and feature films. It is hoped that not only will it give those participating a unique means of depicting their lives, but also to do so in a medium accessible to wider audiences.
We are in the process of completing our first short film written and performed by our youth. The film consists of three short stories inspired by true events captured the imagination of our attendees. This program was mentored by our founder Elias Matar.
Art & Interior design:
Finally, we are work with local and international artists to provide the necessary resources and training in diverse range of artistic mediums and styles. Our first program is interior design, which introduces the youth to the art and process of designing the interior of a room and a building.
Finally, we are work with local and international artists to provide the necessary resources and training in diverse range of artistic mediums and styles. Our first program is interior design, which introduces the youth to the art and process of designing the interior of a room and a building.
Creative Technology & Vocational Training:Focusing specifically on those who have fallen out of the education system or are struggling for employment, as well as open to all those who would like to learn a new skill, the centre is offer a range of vocational and technical skills training. Given the employment restrictions refugees face in Lebanon, this will also encourage individual enterprises through the skills taught; including a space with the relevant resources where skills can be practiced, ideas developed, and learning supported.
Working with regional and international partners a core tenet of this will be a focus on technology, from basic computer skills to programming, graphic design, film editing and music production.
Our first project is First Aid, the course is conducted by Ashraf Faour a radiology Technologist and first aid teacher. The class will give the ability of our youth to help those in need waiting for medical professional to arrive. This includes dealing with burns, external bleeding, broken bones, neck/head/spinal injuries and administering CPR.
Our second project is Macroeconomics class tough by Caleb Jehl, an American businessman, which will focus on how to build and run a small business.
We are also looking to encourage technological innovation and development amongst those attending as a means to address their communities needs. We would look to work with those that are successful to further their development and gain access to grants and investment funding.
Working with regional and international partners a core tenet of this will be a focus on technology, from basic computer skills to programming, graphic design, film editing and music production.
Our first project is First Aid, the course is conducted by Ashraf Faour a radiology Technologist and first aid teacher. The class will give the ability of our youth to help those in need waiting for medical professional to arrive. This includes dealing with burns, external bleeding, broken bones, neck/head/spinal injuries and administering CPR.
Our second project is Macroeconomics class tough by Caleb Jehl, an American businessman, which will focus on how to build and run a small business.
We are also looking to encourage technological innovation and development amongst those attending as a means to address their communities needs. We would look to work with those that are successful to further their development and gain access to grants and investment funding.
Sport:
The unique capacity for sports to reach across everyday divides and unite people in a common experience, as well as encourage teamwork, and providing a valuable outlet for emotions to be channeled constructively, means it is widely recognised as a low-cost and high-impact tool in humanitarian, development, and peace-building efforts.
Recognizing this at Manara we will work with fully-qualified coaches, mentors, and existing sport programs to provide competitive and engaging sessions to all ages and levels. Providing a mixture of familiar as well as the challenge and excitement of new sports, we are currently looking to include: basketball, indoor soccer, volleyball, climbing, and weight training though this will also be flexible to the input of those attending. We will also work to provide the necessary transportation and means for all those who are willing to attend, and hope teams will go on participate in local tournaments and competitions.
We also look to build upon our experience with ClimbAid and offer avenues for those most passionate to develop their talents and attain the necessary skills to take on leadership roles and train others in sessions of their own.
The unique capacity for sports to reach across everyday divides and unite people in a common experience, as well as encourage teamwork, and providing a valuable outlet for emotions to be channeled constructively, means it is widely recognised as a low-cost and high-impact tool in humanitarian, development, and peace-building efforts.
Recognizing this at Manara we will work with fully-qualified coaches, mentors, and existing sport programs to provide competitive and engaging sessions to all ages and levels. Providing a mixture of familiar as well as the challenge and excitement of new sports, we are currently looking to include: basketball, indoor soccer, volleyball, climbing, and weight training though this will also be flexible to the input of those attending. We will also work to provide the necessary transportation and means for all those who are willing to attend, and hope teams will go on participate in local tournaments and competitions.
We also look to build upon our experience with ClimbAid and offer avenues for those most passionate to develop their talents and attain the necessary skills to take on leadership roles and train others in sessions of their own.
Psychosocial Care & Welfare Support:
Whilst all programs running in Manara will priorities the development team work and self-expression within a safe and welcoming environment free from any discrimination, we recognise that this is often not enough. As such, in addition to sports and social programs, the centre is working with a social workers to help with the administration of programs offered as well as working directly with those attending to support them emotionally and psychologically to enable them to further their interests and dreams constructively.
The centre also act as an information point for teenagers and young adults, making them aware of and helping them to access other support they may be eligible for.
Whilst all programs running in Manara will priorities the development team work and self-expression within a safe and welcoming environment free from any discrimination, we recognise that this is often not enough. As such, in addition to sports and social programs, the centre is working with a social workers to help with the administration of programs offered as well as working directly with those attending to support them emotionally and psychologically to enable them to further their interests and dreams constructively.
The centre also act as an information point for teenagers and young adults, making them aware of and helping them to access other support they may be eligible for.
Staffing and Management:
We believe that the success of Manara will come from community-led direction combined with a professional team of staff with access to high-quality resources and the support of volunteers. As such we are build a core team around a program director who is tasked with developing the schedule of programs running at the centre and their continual management in such a way as to maximise its utility for those attending as well as encourage wider participation.
The program director Nadia Rdeini is supported by a team of dedicated teachers and coaches who will run and direct each program, supported in turn by social workers and a local and international volunteers. We also employed a full time bus and driver to provide transportation.
Assessment and Evaluation:
Both the evolving direction as well as the evaluation and assessment of programs running in the center will rely heavily on feedback from those attending. We will facilitate this through regular meetings between all involved in the center as well as more informal community events. We will also provide a open platform for suggestions and feedback to be given, and encourage those attending to get involved in any way possible with the development of the center and programs it offers.
The regular and sustained presence of volunteers within the center will also provide a valuable source of information and feedback as they will be able to give a perspective on how the overall center is running as well as on its constituent parts and developments over time.
Finally, we will take regular attendance statistics and feedback ratings for each specific program, which will be published in monthly reports, alongside professional external evaluation after the first 6 months.
Expansion & Risks:
One of the most difficult task for the center is to get the youth to initially commit to classes and training initially. Most youth do not trust NGOs for their lack of initiative in targeting their group. Also, many families rely on the teens and young adults financially-they are the largest working group in the valley.
The center second obstacle for the center is in getting the girls to attend-with the conservative society of the Bekaa Valley, girls are pushed into an early marriage, and starting a family as the only hope of survival.
To overcome these obstacles, we will rely on our staffing and our mobility. Our staffing from program director, managers, teachers and coaches will be highly qualified to recruit and inlist youth to attend the center's programs, not only from the center's surrounding area of the center but also from neighboring towns. A bus will be used to transport the youth.
Also, the center's scheduling will be very flexible so as to accommodate the largest number of young people in attending its programs.
Our Dream:
A goal of the center would be to bring together youth from the Syrian, Lebanese and Palestinian communities in the Bekaa Valley in a competitive but safe environment. On an individual level, the goal would be to develop these youth’s skills and faculties to give them an outlet otherwise does not exist.
Art will be used as a powerful advocacy tool to communicate the youth's stories, and also provide a vehicle for self-development and personal expression, in addition to the numerous benefits of using art as a therapeutic technique.
For both sports and art the center will also provide a showcase for all the talents on a local and an international platform.
With its vocational and trade training the hope of the center is to provide a sustainable and powerful tool for the youth to face their financial hardship.
Sustainability and fundraising
The center will aim to host approximately two events a year, which will be focused on fundraising and on showcasing the centers participants' talents. These events will be broadcast on the Internet so people in the world can connect with the centers work.
The events will feature productions produced through the center such as short films, theater, sport events, concerts and exhibitions. Whilst also giving those at the center the opportunity to showcase their talent to a global audience, it is also hoped the events will raise revenue through ticket sales and online donations to go to help support the center.
We believe that the success of Manara will come from community-led direction combined with a professional team of staff with access to high-quality resources and the support of volunteers. As such we are build a core team around a program director who is tasked with developing the schedule of programs running at the centre and their continual management in such a way as to maximise its utility for those attending as well as encourage wider participation.
The program director Nadia Rdeini is supported by a team of dedicated teachers and coaches who will run and direct each program, supported in turn by social workers and a local and international volunteers. We also employed a full time bus and driver to provide transportation.
Assessment and Evaluation:
Both the evolving direction as well as the evaluation and assessment of programs running in the center will rely heavily on feedback from those attending. We will facilitate this through regular meetings between all involved in the center as well as more informal community events. We will also provide a open platform for suggestions and feedback to be given, and encourage those attending to get involved in any way possible with the development of the center and programs it offers.
The regular and sustained presence of volunteers within the center will also provide a valuable source of information and feedback as they will be able to give a perspective on how the overall center is running as well as on its constituent parts and developments over time.
Finally, we will take regular attendance statistics and feedback ratings for each specific program, which will be published in monthly reports, alongside professional external evaluation after the first 6 months.
Expansion & Risks:
One of the most difficult task for the center is to get the youth to initially commit to classes and training initially. Most youth do not trust NGOs for their lack of initiative in targeting their group. Also, many families rely on the teens and young adults financially-they are the largest working group in the valley.
The center second obstacle for the center is in getting the girls to attend-with the conservative society of the Bekaa Valley, girls are pushed into an early marriage, and starting a family as the only hope of survival.
To overcome these obstacles, we will rely on our staffing and our mobility. Our staffing from program director, managers, teachers and coaches will be highly qualified to recruit and inlist youth to attend the center's programs, not only from the center's surrounding area of the center but also from neighboring towns. A bus will be used to transport the youth.
Also, the center's scheduling will be very flexible so as to accommodate the largest number of young people in attending its programs.
Our Dream:
A goal of the center would be to bring together youth from the Syrian, Lebanese and Palestinian communities in the Bekaa Valley in a competitive but safe environment. On an individual level, the goal would be to develop these youth’s skills and faculties to give them an outlet otherwise does not exist.
Art will be used as a powerful advocacy tool to communicate the youth's stories, and also provide a vehicle for self-development and personal expression, in addition to the numerous benefits of using art as a therapeutic technique.
For both sports and art the center will also provide a showcase for all the talents on a local and an international platform.
With its vocational and trade training the hope of the center is to provide a sustainable and powerful tool for the youth to face their financial hardship.
Sustainability and fundraising
The center will aim to host approximately two events a year, which will be focused on fundraising and on showcasing the centers participants' talents. These events will be broadcast on the Internet so people in the world can connect with the centers work.
The events will feature productions produced through the center such as short films, theater, sport events, concerts and exhibitions. Whilst also giving those at the center the opportunity to showcase their talent to a global audience, it is also hoped the events will raise revenue through ticket sales and online donations to go to help support the center.
