“Today, when looking at my newly rehabilitated home, I am reminded that unexpected blessings can come our way,” says Set Youmn.
Amidst a never-ending landscape of greenery, in the shadows exists a community that silently struggles, facing a severe economic crisis while residing in substandard buildings. These community members, often forgotten or overlooked, bear the weight of poverty, and endure the harsh realities of the socio-economic crisis. Within the walls of these structures, hope and despair coexist. Families, children, and individuals find themselves trapped in a cycle of poverty, living day by day, hand to mouth. The crisis that engulfs them casts a long shadow, leaving them in a constant state of uncertainty struggling with limited resources and access to necessities.
On one end, these substandard buildings, with their crumbling infrastructure, leaking roofs, and inadequate sanitation facilities, serve as a reminder, that the poor dwell in the shadows. Despite their living conditions, their resilience shines through, as they strive to create a sense of home amidst the chaos.
Compassion resides on the other end. Compassion is a powerful force that changes lives for the better. It is the ability to understand and feel the pain of others and to take action to help them. For Set Youmn, a 73 years old, Lebanese community member, who is facing economic hardship and daily life struggles, compassion was the key to restoring hope to her life.
Set Youmn, a 73-year-old, Lebanese community member photographs in her home in Sarraine, Baalbek-Hermel Bekaa Valley on the 9th of May 2023. ©Medair/Abdul Dennaoui
“Despite facing today’s challenges and living alone, I often feel hopeless. Today, when looking at my newly rehabilitated home, I am reminded that unexpected blessings can come our way. The kindness and compassion I was shown have restored my faith in humanity. I am filled with gratitude and hope moving forward. Although I am still alone, in your presence, I feel surrounded by love and compassion from those who believe everyone deserves a chance to thrive and live with dignity. I feel dignified.”
Medair’s rehabilitation project in the Baalbak-Hermel district, funded by the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF), seeks to assist the most vulnerable members of the community, by Implementing tailored solutions and repairs to people’s homes living in substandard buildings, to improve their quality of life and providing them with a safe and dignified place to live.
Set Youmn, a 73-year-old, Lebanese community member photographs in her home in Sarraine, Baalbek-Hermel Bekaa Valley on the 9th of May 2023. ©Medair/Abdul Dennaoui
The shelter team dedicated their efforts to carrying out essential renovation and repairs on Set Youmn’s home. Their work included the installation of electrical outlets throughout her home, the addition of a new elevated toilet seat with a handheld bidet, the implementation of a boiler with a sink, as well as the placement of new windows. Moreover, they ensured enhanced security by fitting a brand-new steel door at the entrance of her home.
For Set Youmn, the act of compassion was profound. She no longer must worry about the safety of her home, and she is able to focus on improving her life. She has a renewed sense of hope, and she feels that people care about her and her struggles. For Set Youmn, she can now embrace life with dignity.
A sink was installed in a substandard building as part of a rehabilitation intervention in Sarraine, Baalbek-Hermel Bekaa Valley on the 9th of May 2023. ©Medair/Abdul Dennaoui
Set Youmn’s bathroom partition before the rehabilitation intervention. A (before) photo showing Set Youmn’s bathroom area before Medair’s rehabilitation intervention. During rehabilitation, Medair installed a high toilet, a handheld bidet, and a boiler were installed in a substandard building as part of a rehabilitation intervention in Sarraine, Baalbek-Hermel Bekaa Valley on the 9th of May 2023. ©Medair/Abdul Dennaoui
Medair services in The Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, are funded by the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF) and generous private donors.
This content was produced with resources gathered by Medair field and headquarters staff. The views expressed herein are those solely of Medair and should not be taken, in any way, to reflect the official opinion of any other organization.
