Lebanon (MNN) — Lebanon balances tenuous ceasefires with Israel and Syria. Heart for Lebanon’s Tom Atema says, “The longer the ceasefire stays in place, the better it will become.”
War, prejudice, and the threat of deportation create a tumultuous atmosphere for refugee children in Lebanon. Little girls are especially vulnerable.
(Photo courtesy of Heart for Lebanon)
Heart for Lebanon has been helping at-risk girls since its founding nearly twenty years ago. This year, the ministry aims to support 500 girls between the ages of 13 and 21.
“These are young girls that have the potential or have been sold into early marriage, human trafficking, child labor – you name the bad thing, and it’s probably in that bucket,” Atema says.
Some parents sell their girls to meet family needs. Others are abused or exploited, like a girl we’ll call Lily. Atema says, “She got pregnant, came to our medical clinic, and didn’t know what to do.”
Lily knew she couldn’t tell anyone about the pregnancy because it would bring shame to her family. Heart for Lebanon’s care center became a safe haven.
“It wasn’t her fault. She had nothing to do with it. She was just in a vulnerable place, living in poverty, and that [event] happened,” Atema says.
“We had the privilege of not only helping her keep the baby and move forward but also restoring her relationship with her parents and bringing dignity to her life.”
Ask the Lord to guide Heart for Lebanon staff. They’re encountering rising numbers of at-risk girls.
“Pray for the teachers, for wisdom. These aren’t easy conversations in any culture because, at the end of the day, it’s just not the girl. There’s a whole string of people around that girl that have to be dealt with at the same time,” Atema says.
Header and story images courtesy of Heart for Lebanon.
