A Study has been conducted by UNHCR among 503 Syrian refugee women in Lebanon and it showed that 79% of these women are unable to meet their basic needs. They depend on their male family members to provide them with money for survival items.
One of the great tragedies we see in the refugees we serve is the loss of dignity. The effects of war, constant vulnerability, and poverty erode away at their God given dignity. This is especially true of refugee women in the Middle East.
That’s the main reason why Heart for Lebanon developed an empowerment program to teach women how to sew called Threads of Hope. The first session of this training launched last year and was very successful. Not only did the women involved learn new skills, they also gained wisdom through the Bible study lessons given at each session. And they developed new friendships, becoming a little community who cared deeply about each other.
The second level of Threads of Hope had just started before the country went on lockdown for COVID-19. New sewing machines were brought in for this program but, in what only God could have foreseen, they have been a wonderful asset to use for a different project during the COVID-19 pandemic. No longer being used for the Threads of Hope program, some individual refugees stepped forward to use the sewing machines and committed to sew 5,000 face masks in 20 days for those in need; literally providing “threads of hope” for thousands of the most vulnerable people in Lebanon. In the process these women are discovering they were created with dignity for a purpose. They are growing in relationship with Jesus and each other.
Praise God they went over the goal so more people could be protected! It would not have been possible without already having the sewing machines available at our Hope Center – Bekaa and refugees empowered to make a difference in their own communities.
When Threads of Hope is able to resume there will be another project to participate in and a goal to reach. It will not only benefit the women involved in this program but also other refugee families. The goal is to make blankets that can be distributed this coming winter. We believe that is empowerment at its finest!
Your support is greatly appreciated and needed during this pandemic and pending economiccrisis. We have been able to further accomplish our mission by leveraging our goodrelationships with suppliers in-country to help other faith-based organizations fulfill theirmission. Your financial gift of any amount will help us continue these strong relationships andgrowing partnerships. Thank You!
Your support is greatly appreciated and needed during this pandemic and pending economiccrisis. We have been able to further accomplish our mission by leveraging our goodrelationships with suppliers in-country to help other faith-based organizations fulfill theirmission. Your financial gift of any amount will help us continue these strong relationships andgrowing partnerships. Thank You!
