Overview
The Foyer de la Providence (FdP) is a Lebanese non-profit association founded by the Salvatorian Basilian Order in 1966 (Melkite Greek Catholic Church) and registered in Lebanon per decree 446/ad.
The purpose of the establishment of the Foyer de la Providence is taking care of the orphans and the underprivileged and vulnerable people of all villages of the area surrounding the institution.
It has been working towards the social integration of children and youth with difficulties through different services created gradually over the last 50 years. Today, the Foyer is running an Orphanage, a Clinic, a Vocational Training School, and since 2004, a Specialized School Mosaik, as well as a Resource Center since 2008, Trait d’Union.
The FdP works in different domains of social life for the people of South Lebanon, especially children, youth and young adults, helping them to raise their socio-economic level and to contribute to the development of South Lebanon and the whole country.
Through its activities, the Foyer de la Providence contributes along with other organizations to unite the children and the youth from different sectors, which strengthen the mutual friendship bases between them and widens the prospect of open mentalities. The existence of a daily charring atmosphere has the upper hand over speeches and moral lessons which incent to peace.
Activities & Services
The Foyer de la Providence has 6 main activities :
- Welcoming orphans and children with major difficulties in a foster home:
- In the first instance, the Foyer opened a foster home for orphans and disadvantaged children from the South of Lebanon. Their first activity was then to welcome these children and ensure them decent standards of living. It is called the “Social Care Section”.
The social care section for orphans and children with major difficulties currently welcomes 60 children.
- Technical School: (BP[1]/ BT[1] / TS[1])
In order to ensure a professional future to the orphans who appeared to be on the increase, the FdP constructed and opened a Technical School. FdP also received students from neighboring towns and surrounding villages. Young students are trained to work in various sectors of many specializations by obtaining an official technical degree which aims at offering to these youth people new opportunity of rehabilitation, education and skills training in order to facilitate their social and economic integration.
- Between 380 and 400 students are studying every year in the Technical School
FdP offers and provides several specializations and majors.
In addition, in 2015-2016, FdP opened a specialized class to include five students from Mosaik School to continue education and obtain an official Assistant Accountant Degree.
[1] Technological Studies Diploma B.P.: is a special diploma awarded by the Center and certified by the Ministry of Higher Education and accredited by all Embassies.
[1] Technical Baccalaureate Degree B.T.: is an official degree enabling its holder to enter Lebanese and foreign universities.
[1] Higher Technician Diploma T.S.: is an official certificate of a university level, enabling its holder to continue his/her studies which lead to obtaining a “Technical License” diploma (L.T).
- Trait d’Union Resource Center:
Trait d’Union Resource Center aims at working alongside schools in the implementation of inclusive education techniques through teachers’ trainings regarding learning and behavior disabilities. These trainings help teachers to be ready to welcome students with special needs within the regular school. Thus, an agreement was made between Mosaik School - Trait d’Union Resource Center - FdP and *INSHEA Organization to offer a certification to the teacher who attends these trainings. Those trainings are divided into 3 cycles. Please note, that Mosaik School - Trait d’Union Resource Center - FdP is the only organization that offers this certification in Lebanon.
(*INSHEA is the “Institut National Supérieur de formation et de recherche pour l’éducation des jeunes Handicapés et des Enseignements Adaptés”.
With the Resource Center, Trait d’Union have dealt with learning difficulties in the region of Saida by intervening in schools and organizing conferences, working on cases of particular pupils, coordinating with pedagogical teams, adapting teaching methods, etc.
- Providing medical care in the dispensary:
A dispensary was opened to provide medical care to disadvantaged people and in particular the victims of the war and refugees. This dispensary is called “Clinic and Physiotherapy Section”.
- More than 4300 beneficiaries use the dispensary every year.
- Welcoming young children during holidays:
Outdoor activities are organized for children during holiday times. Most of the children come from the region of Saida and also from the Palestinian camps around Saida.
- About 1000 children participate in the activities organized every year during holiday times
- Chocodar
A little workshop to make and decorate chocolate.
- Trait d’Union Resource Center:
Trait d’Union Resource Center aims at working alongside schools in the implementation of inclusive education techniques through teachers’ trainings regarding learning and behavior disabilities. These trainings help teachers to be ready to welcome students with special needs within the regular school. Thus, an agreement was made between Mosaik School - Trait d’Union Resource Center - FdP and *INSHEA Organization to offer a certification to the teacher who attends these trainings. Those trainings are divided into 3 cycles. Please note, that Mosaik School - Trait d’Union Resource Center - FdP is the only organization that offers this certification in Lebanon.
(*INSHEA is the “Institut National Supérieur de formation et de recherche pour l’éducation des jeunes Handicapés et des Enseignements Adaptés”.
With the Resource Center, Trait d’Union have dealt with learning difficulties in the region of Saida by intervening in schools and organizing conferences, working on cases of particular pupils, coordinating with pedagogical teams, adapting teaching methods, etc.
- Providing medical care in the dispensary:
A dispensary was opened to provide medical care to disadvantaged people and in particular the victims of the war and refugees. This dispensary is called “Clinic and Physiotherapy Section”.
- More than 4300 beneficiaries use the dispensary every year.
- Welcoming young children during holidays:
Outdoor activities are organized for children during holiday times. Most of the children come from the region of Saida and also from the Palestinian camps around Saida.
- About 1000 children participate in the activities organized every year during holiday times
- Chocodar
A little workshop to make and decorate chocolate.
Conclusion
Through its activities, the Foyer de la Providence contributes along with other organizations to unite the children and the youth from different sectors, which strengthen the mutual friendship bases between them and widens the prospect of open mentalities. The existence of a daily charring atmosphere has the upper hand over speeches and moral lessons which incent to peace.
During its history, the FdP has had a very important role in approaching the various Christian and Muslim communities in building up a mentality of conviviality and mutual respect, in order to restore peace in the homespun of the Lebanese society. It is recognized as a major social institution in South Lebanon.