November 24, 2009. The Holy Land is much bigger than what people tend to think. Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Egypt make up the historical and cultural richness of a region that continues to be torn by war. Things are beginning to change, though, as NGO’s are stepping up to rebuild some of these devastated areas.

Organizations like the Foundation for the Social Promotion of Culture and the Association for Rural Development work together to welcome people of all faiths to ease the tension in these countries.  

Pilar Lara
President, Foundation for the Social Promotion of Culture
“We work with reliable counterparts but the recipients can be of any race, religion or situation. People have a right to study and people have a right to eat.”

The work done by these NGO’s largely revolve around empowering people, in teaching them how to be autonomous and how to take advantage of resources in their countries.

Youssef El-Khalil
President, Association for Rural Development
“We discovered that the most marginalized groups in Lebanon was the fisherman and the fisherman exists all over Lebanon, all over the confessions, the Palestinian refugees, and the small skilled farmers.”

Their work goes beyond faith, because it focuses on helping the most helpless of people in the region like children.

Pilar Lara
President, Foundation for the Social Promotion of Culture
“We work with everyone because children need to learn and need to have at least some hope for a better future. The basic necessities like agriculture, education and reconstruction in moments of humanitarian help are our priorities.”

Rebuilding the Holy Land means rebuilding the lives of so many people who lack basic necessities like education, water and food.

The noble work of these NGO’s is providing infrastructure, culture and education to people who have much to contribute to society and the rebuilding process of their countries.

BR/RS
FF-JM
--WP