Activities of Besme in 2014-2015
1. Besme Aid 2015
In line with the principles drawn above, Besme started its activities as of January 2015. After studying the report of our South Lebanon Coordinator carefully, we found out that, due to the bad weather conditions in South Lebanon, there was a need for fuel and blankets, both for Lebanese villagers and for Syrian refugees. In order to help meet these needs, Besme arranged the distribution of relief supplies. The aid aimed to improve living conditions of local villagers and Syrian refugees, who had been experiencing severe winter conditions since December 2014. On 14 January 2015 Besme distributed a total of 10.000 liters of fuel oil and 320 blankets in the Hasbaya Al-Arkoub region. The villages of Hebbarieh, Cheeba, Kfarhammam and Kfarchouba, which are in the vicinity of the Israeli border, received the aid. Under the name of Besme Aid 2015, a total of 900 families benefited from this; 500 families received 20 liters of fuel oil, and another 400 families were given blankets and soups. The aid distribution was coordinated with Al-Masaadi Organization in Hebbarieh, a local partner of Besme.
When Besme was founded, we were fortunate to receive generous donations from Nestle Lebanon. Thanks to Ms. May Rieashi, who is responsible for NGO activities at Nestle Lebanon, in December 2014 we received 10 cases of Maggi soup mix, which all contained 12 small boxes which, in turn, all consisted of 12 packages of soup mix. We handed three boxes over to the UNHCR so as to assist them cover the nutritional needs of Syrian refugees. The remaining seven boxes were distributed as part of the above-mentioned Besme Aid 2015 project.
Besme furthermore received another package of nutrition supplies from Nestle Lebanon at the end of March 2015. The package included: five cases of Maggi Beef Boullion 2 Tab24 (24*20g), five cases of Maggi Bouillon Veg 2 Tab 24 (24*20g), five cases of Maggi Chicken Low Salt 24 (24*20g), and one case of Maggi Juicy Ckg Bag 4 (10*32g). Besme handed over these supplies to the Nashet Association, a Palestinian organization situated at Ein El-Hilweh Refugee Camp in Saida. The supplies were distributed among Palestinian refugees living in Ein El-Hilweh, where Syrian Palestinians are also living.2. Research on the Quality of Living in Beirut
Being aware that the results of academic field research are vital to develop and implement successful projects, Besme decided to execute a research project in Beirut. To this end, in February 2015 Besme concluded an agreement with Thrakos Research Center to execute a research project which aims to map the prevailing living conditions of Beirutis, particularly in the poor districts. In order to promote the concept of sustainable livelihood in Beirut (the center of the country) and to hence spread this to other parts of Lebanon, the research is intended to be a pilot project for Besme.3. Small Business Grants to Women
As stated already, Besme pays particular attention to the empowerment of women. In order to give women the opportunity to start-up their own businesses, Besme is working on a small business program which provides women with crucial start-up equipment. In April 2015 three women in the village of Hebbarieh in South Lebanon were granted kitchen utensils and hairdresser equipment so as to enable them to contribute to their family income. The grants were submitted upon an agreement which states that the grantees will pay back 30% of their annual income so that, in turn, Besme can finance other local micro entrepreneur initiatives for women in the region. We are committed to track the progress of these small businesses for the next three-year period via our South Lebanon Coordinator. The grantees will, moreover, benefit from workshops and vocational training on entrepreneurship and marketing. Our aim is to spread this project to neighboring villages.4. Besme Community Center
From the beginning onwards, Hasbaya Al-Arkoub in South Lebanon has become one of Besme’s main concerns. Besme is committed to contribute to the socio-cultural and socio-economic development of this region. Due to its good relations with the villagers of Hebbarieh, Besme has been donated with a piece of land at the heart of the village. The donation, made by Mr. Yasin Youssef, will contribute to the development of the village through our efforts. After laying the first stone on the land on 3 April 2015, Besme started the construction of a Community Center in June 2015. Funded by Besme’s international donors, and observed by Al-Masaadi on behalf of Besme, the community center is meant to be a multi-purpose facility, in which workshops, training programs and conferences will be held. The center will moreover serve for public events not only of Hebbarieh but also of neighboring villages. The center is expected to trigger regional socio-economic progress, which has been in decline for over 10 years.5. Health Insurance Cards Distribution
Installing the concept of sustainable livelihood at the core, Besme is very keen to intervene directly in the livelihood of people, through finding necessary funds. In this context, upon an agreement signed with Al Wake3 Association in June 2015, Besme consigned health insurance cards for 100 Lebanese citizens who neither have state nor private health insurance. In association with UFA Insurance Company which issued the cards, Besme secured 100 people in Beirut and Akkar with crucial health care for a one-year period.
Working together with Jil Mustakbel Association and Khayır Association in Beirut, as well as with Lebanese-Turkish associations in the villages of Aydamoun and Kuashra in Akkar, Besme compiled a list of people who would receive the cards. At two separate events, on 11 June 2015 in Beirut and on 15 June 2015 in Akkar, following a short presentation about their rights and responsibilities drawn in the insurance agreement, assigned card holders received their insurance cards. Being involved directly with the livelihood of 100 people, Besme helps them reserve a certain amount of their household income, which would otherwise be spent on health issues. Hence, Besme provides these people with an oppertunity to allocate this amount to other basic family need. 6. Besme Photo Contest
Besme believes that art is an important component of humanity. Especially during a conflict period, the need for cultural support increases. It should be noted that, even during a time of armed conflict, intellectual development of people remains critical for the promotion of artistic activities as a means to counter armed actions. Therefore, we consider cultural support as an important aspect of humanitarian assistance and development. In this context, Besme organized a Photography Contest under the Patronage of His Excellency, Minister of Social Affairs of Lebanon, Mr. Rashid Derbas, in March 2015. The contest was a launching project for Besme, which, moreover, meant to serve as a mechanism to support talented university students. Besides, the contest aimed at directing the attention of youth away from the effects of radical armed movements active in the region and towards artistic creation that will contribute the progress of humanity. Mr. Jamal Saidi, Honorary President of the Lebanese Union of Photographers and chief photographer at Reuters, was the Head of the Jury, and was accompanied by privileged Lebanese photographers Dr. Salih Rifai and Dr. Rania Mouawad. The theme “what besme (smile) means to you” was meant to promote creativity among young photographers with regard to moments that are intrinsically humane. More than 600 works of 107 students from Lebanese universities all around the country well reflected the idea behind the organization. Smiles of Syrian refugee children, Lebanese elderly, Palestinian girls and boys, and many others gathered at the exhibition that was held on 14 April 2015. To encourage youth to engage in photography, Besme presented the top five works with an award.7. Syrian Mothers: Portraits and Stories of the War
In line with the Besme Photo Contest, which was warmly welcomed by Lebanese society and the university students, Besme launched another project with the Syrian League for Citizenship. Having women as the target group and taking into consideration the UN Security Council Resolutions of 1325 and 2122, which emphasize the involvement of women in peace building and maintaining the security in conflict-affected zones, Besme and Sl4C are working on a photography book. Having been launched in June 2015, the book will include 35 photographs of Syrian mothers along with their stories. These women are selected from different places inside and outside of Syria. Through the photographs in this book, their pain will be conveyed, as will their humble pride through the accompanying words. On the basis of ‘seeing is believing’, through using photography Besme aims to create a channel which allows these women’s feelings to be shown.
