Refugees, schools and things that do no happen according to plan...

March 2020
Between revolution, cold and corona - the laughter and the vitality of the children
Report after completing Sr. Anna's return

No one can get past the corona pandemic these days, and neither will I in my final report on my time in Lebanon - especially since the measures to curb the spread of the virus have forced me to a premature, rather hasty departure from Lebanon. But I do not want to forget all the experiences and impressions that I got before and during this special time in Lebanon.

My wish to go to an Arab country and work for refugees as my stay abroad during my tertianship led me, in consultation with my superiors, in early October 2019 to Lebanon. I was meant to live with the Jesuits in Taanayel on the Bekaa valley for six months and work as a volunteer in the projects of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) in the neighbouring town of Bar Elias, ultimately, I was there for 5½ months.

Almost from the beginning, my stay was characterised by extraordinary circumstances, which ran through my time in Lebanon like a common thread.

Where I lived

There was quite a lot of continuity with regard to where I lived: From the beginning to the end, I lived in the Jesuit convent in Taanayel. This temporary home, belonging to a community gave me anchoring on site, support and security in otherwise turbulent times.

I am very grateful to the six Jesuits belonging to the community that they welcomed me, a CJ sister, so openly and wholeheartedly and that I was able to share everyday life with them. Of course, everyday life in a small apostolic community is strongly influenced by the tasks of the individuals, the different rhythms that they bring with them, quite some absences and trips. It's part of our life, even I wasn't at home for lunch on school days. Having a community behind me, people I can talk to when I needed something, but also when I wanted to share my experiences and questions was a great gift for me. The link through the Ignatian spirituality and way of life was noticeable across cultural differences.

For me, it was a big help that the house of the Jesuits not only included a church and a chapel as well as a retreat and guest house, but also a large area with a park and a farm. Being able to move independently in fresh air and in nature isn’t self-evident in Lebanon. I also enjoyed watching the seasonal changes in nature and the landscape.

On the contrast, my voluntary work for JRS was strongly influenced by the troubled times. First of all, I cannot emphasise it often enough, there was and is the war in Syria, which is now in its 10th year. Without this war, there would not be so many refugees in Lebanon, more than a million Syrians live there, mostly in precarious living conditions.

In addition, the revolution, as the Lebanese themselves call the massive nationwide protests against the political elites, started during my time there. It began on October 17, 2019 and led to the resignation of the previous government. For weeks, public life in Lebanon was largely paralysed by these protests, which manifested themselves not least in blocking important streets and roads. Last but not least, the schools had to be closed for several weeks, later from time to time for some days because students and teachers could not come to school safely. So, I had to stay in the house or in the area for many days and pursue other activities. The uncertainty as to whether there is school the next day or not has become an exercise in living from one day to the other.

Added to this was the country's economic crisis, which was already evident before the revolution: the high level of public debt, the inadequate supply of electricity, water, waste disposal, etc. The protests, however, have exacerbated this economic crisis. The cost of living has risen sharply over the course of my stay, as has unemployment, restrictions on payment transactions and the import of important goods... The burdens and the high level of uncertainty experienced by the Lebanese, but also by the Syrians due to the situation were noticeable to me in many encounters and have continued to grow tightened.

My voluntary work in a JRS school in Bar Elias, in which around 500 Syrian children are taught in two shifts, was severely affected by this political and economic crisis, at least until the formation of a new government in mid-January – though the uncertainty as to whether there will be school tomorrow or not presented more serious challenges for the teaching itself, not to mention the insecurity of the children, who would actually need reliability and structure. The limitations caused by winter weather conditions with snow and ice were rather manageable in comparison. Now, the school has been closed since the end of February due to concerns about the spread of the corona virus in the country. During my stay, there were really only a few weeks during which the school operated just regularly.

My experiences at the school

In the midst of all these crises, however, I was able to get to know the work of “my” JRS school and, above all, to fall in love with the people there. I am really impressed by the commitment of the teachers and the entire team, who teach the Syrian children under difficult conditions and treat them with love and patience. I realised that it costs a lot to resist the threatening feeling of hopelessness given the living conditions of the children - all students live in informal tented settlements -, the lack of support at home, the unrest and also violence, but rather to believe wholeheartedly in the children and their future. For many children, school is not only a place of education, but also a protected and secure space. The JRS responds to this with its own psychosocial program and a social worker at each school.

And then, the students with all their joy and vitality, their laughter and verve. Of course, I also felt the difficulties in their lives, which they naturally also bring to school and which I did not always find easy to deal with. But I just took the children to my heart. There, from heart to heart, communication also worked, which was otherwise restricted by my limited knowledge of Arabic (dialect) and their rudimentary English. When the weather got better and we were able to do more sports outdoors, the sports lessons were our common highlight. In general, a personal relationship with the individual child has simply grown. One of my special gifts from this time is the experience that only my attentive, loving presence can be of great importance to people. In any case, I will miss the resounding "Sister Anna!"

In the end, it was the global corona crisis, with all the restrictions that have come with it, that led to an early end of my stay. Particularly painful for me: Due to the closure of the school, later also my departure from one day to the next, I couldn't say goodbye to all the people. There remains not only a deep gratitude for all the experiences that I was able to make in these months, the admiration for the dedication of many, the link with the people who are dear to my heart. I also take with me the awareness that I have left people in an existentially difficult situation, regardless of corona. The Syrian war continues, and further conflicts and fights in the region have not ended either. The economic crisis is worsening, and NGOs are concerned about the future of their projects. I don't want to forget the vitality and joy, the hope for peace and future, the humanity in spite of all the violence - as well as the poverty and suffering of so many people.

Help is possible

For those who want to help: This year, the Misereor fasting campaign supports the people in Syria and Lebanon in particular, also the projects of JRS. Due to the lack of divine services and other actions, it is particularly dependent on donations and alternative ways of public relations:

To the donation form: https://www.misereor.de/spenden/spendenformular?fb_item_id=26163&weani=1&country=DE

Possible activities: https://fastenaktion.misereor.de/fastenaktion-aktionen/kollekte?_ga=2.157213307.1784947929.1585168888-1312143081.1569490065#c37072