Lebanon (MNN) — Students in Lebanon have returned to school after years of complications due to COVID-19.
Wissam Nasrallah with the Lebanese Society for Educational and Social Development (LSESD) says, “Two years out of school has had a tremendous impact on kids and students. Our teachers have a lot on their hands. But they’re doing an amazing job day in and day out.”
LSESD education wing
LSESD operates Beirut Baptist School, an inclusive K-12 school, as well as the SKILD program, which focuses on learning differences. SKILD, which stands for Smart Kids with Individual Learning Differences, was started in 2011.
The Lebanese government often provides no educational aid to these kids. And that’s even more true as the country falls deeper into financial crisis. Nasrallah says, “Students are tired. They know that they live in a country that can offer them very few prospects of a better future. Most of them just want to want to leave.”
“But at the same time, kids know that education is one of the only lifelines they have. So they work very hard.”
Nasrallah says the stress on families is severe. “When you have to worry whether you will have electricity tonight, or enough to eat, or enough for your parents to pay for tuition, it affects children. We’re seeing this at the schools. We hear this from the school counselors and the therapists.”
Get involved
Ask God to strengthen the LSESD team as they show Jesus’ love to their students. While many Lebanese want to leave the country, they are choosing to stay.
Want to visit LSESD? You can, either through a Virtual Vision Trip or by volunteering.
Header photo courtesy of LSESD on Facebook.
