Lebanon

YES alumni in Lebanon were quick to organize and contribute relief aid to their fellow Lebanese citizens during the recent conflict in Lebanon. Several alumni volunteered with the International Red Cross/Red Crescent Society. Others worked as volunteers in orphanages or helped the elderly or disabled who were especially vulnerable during this period. The Lebanese YES alumni were moved by their volunteer work and the impact it had on local communities:

"During the war, we, the Lebanese YES students, had an important duty to our country. Therefore, we really tried our best to help others. Some volunteered with the Red Cross and others in humanitarian relief organizations. I spoke with a journalist from South Carolina where my host family was, and I sent him pictures and websites that would help him and his readers better understand what we went through.” Faten Taki '05

"During the war, I worked with Harakat Al Cha'b, a humanitarian relief organization, by packing up food and distributing it to refugees. I felt I was doing a little part of what a good citizen should do for their country. I volunteered because I, myself, had to evacuate my own house and therefore I understood how people in similar circumstances felt. "Farah Chehadeh '06

YES Alumna Christine Meguerditchian '05 was nominated by AMIDEAST Lebanon to participate in a dialogue with an Israeli Jewish teenager via UNICEF Radio in New York City. Below are her comments of the experience:

"We spoke about our interests and most important of all, we talked about the war period and how it influenced our lives and what we thought about it. I gave my opinions in a respectful and honest way. Who would ever have imagined that debating a person from an opposing viewpoint would be this enjoyable? Even though we didn't agree on everything, we still had several views in common. We both supported the need for our countries to be at peace. If every person from both sides of this conflict started having dialogues with each other like Shir and I did, I think this would be the best path towards global reconciliation."