Lebanon

My mother’s family is from Syria and Lebanon. I had always been interested in visiting the two countries but never did anything about it. After her death in late 2017, the want somehow turned into a need. Sadly Syria was out of the question for obvious reasons. (perhaps if I was 25 but…) So Lebanon it was. I arrived in Beirut on October 25, 2019 at the height of what felt like a Lebanese “Spring” Massive countrywide demonstrations against the ruling elites were occurring daily. The movement used the term, thawra, (revolution) to describe itself. The entire 9 weeks I was in the country the hope and energy were remarkable to see. I also traveled the country from the wall in the south built by Israel on part of the border to Tripoli in the north. I met and spoke with Sunni and Shia, Orthodox, Catholic and Maronite, Druse and Armenians, Syrian refugees. The remnants of the Civil War are all over Beirut and the rest of the country. It was one of the most beautiful and hopeful places I have ever visited. I planned to return in April to continue the work but then Covid.

Then the explosion in the Beirut port and the collapse of any remnant of the civil state. According to the World Bank, Lebanon is in the midst of one of the three worst economic collapses in the past 150 years. I still plan to return … but I can’t say when.

If possible, please make a donation to “Provide Meals for Syrian and Lebanese Refugees.” at the link below: