San Francisco Chinatown Rotary - International Service

The RCSFC will be applying for a RI Matching Grant project to build a computer lab and shelves for books for up to 14 individual schools in towns impoverished by recent wars and neglect in Lebanon. These computer labs will serve as centers for learning, safe havens for children, and community resource centers, serving teachers, students, and the general community. Some of these children are orphans of the war.

As a result of economic despair and war-fueled devastation, children in Lebanon are not motivated or inclined to stay in school. Instead, they begin dropping out around age 9, and then are recruited by militias who provide guns, arms training, cigarettes, money, and a sense of belonging to something important.

The problems don’t end there. When the uneducated children reach the age of 18, their skills are not applicable to civilian life. Often, they feel alienated from their community members who may be associates of rival militias. Their career choices are almost non-existent since the only thing they know is how to hate and fight. These “freedom fighters” continue to wage war within Lebanon or sometimes move to neighboring countries to join battles. The mercenary cycle has no ending point, just more generations lost.

Libraries for Peace (LFPP) offers a pragmatic, non-political, non-religious step towards a solutions, and will provide the books for the school library. Aref Ahmadia is founder and President of LFPP. The computer center will be a place for learning and enlightenment both through self-discovery in books and the internet, as well as a training facility for vocational and community needs.

The estimated cost for 14 complete labs and shelving for books (books will be donated by LFPP) is approximately = $55,000.

Application Process and History of Success: RCSFC will be working in partnership with Aref Ahmadia, World Community Service Chair and Tom Sutton, President of the San Rafael Harbor Rotary Club, who have successfully applied for Rotary International Matching Grants (2) and implemented this program on a smaller scale. They have successfully completed two computer/library projects in Lebanon, and have invited RCSFC to take the lead and partner with them on a “larger” more meaningful project.

What do we hope to accomplish?: The project will build a computer lab and classroom library in up to 14 schools in the West Bekaa Valley and Jurd regions of Lebanon. The labs and libraries will be utilized by students for academic purposes as well as faculty, providing training for teachers and resources to parents from the surrounding community.

Who are our Host Partner Clubs?: The Aley Rotary Club (Soufar area) and the Zahle Rotary Club (Bekaa Valley area).

Estimated number of students, teachers, and community citizens who would benefit from the project: Each school’s population ranges from 150 – 250 students and located in communities of 4500 – 7500 citizens.

Who will maintain these projects?: Jurd Development Forum (JDF), a volunteer organization dedicated to developing the Aley-Jurd regions of Lebanon, will maintain the equipment and hired skilled, qualified, and local technicians.

The RCSFC is in the process of preparing the Rotary International Matching Grant Application, and is seeking financial support. We invite you, your family, or organization to join us in “keeping the momentum of expanding peace and education” (LFPP) for the children and citizens of Lebanon.

We would be honored if you would consider participating through a direct contribution of funds to the RCSFC Foundation. We know you may not be able to make a decision based on this brief summary, but would welcome the opportunity to meet with you individually, and/or with your organization to tell them in greater detail, the importance of this project and the long-term positive impact it will have for the children and their communities in Lebanon.

The RCSFC would like to follow-up on your interest in helping with this project. Please feel free to contact us:

Janice Lee, WCS Co-Chair: truspaw@comcast.net

Suchi Lee, WCS Co-Chair: suchi2682@yahoo.com

Andrew Yu, President-elect: andrewyurcsfc@gmail.com

Ted Abe, President: tedmabe@aol.com

Thank you in advance for your consideration.