USAID to Increase Assistance to Municipalities

June 18, 2009

The USAID Mission Director Denise A. Herbol signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Lebanese Minister of Interior and Municipalities Ziad Baroud to provide technical assistance to municipalities throughout Lebanon for carrying out the 2010 municipal elections on June 18, 2009. Building on the achievements of previous USAID programs to assist Lebanon’s municipalities, this new initiative will address several key issues facing municipalities related to the municipal elections scheduled for 2010.  In addition to the assistance to many municipalities regarding the elections, USAID will work with major municipalities, including Beirut, Tripoli, Zahle, Saida, Baabda and Bourj Hammoud, on the modernization of their administrative organizational structures. This USAID funded project will be implemented by The State University of New York at Albany/Center of Legislative Development.

USAID Assists Tourism Industry “Beyond Beirut”

June 17, 2009

USAID Provides $750,000 to Fund Modernization of Beirut Court

June 17, 2009

The USAID Mission Director Denise A. Herbol signed an agreement with the Lebanese Minister of Justice Ibrahim Najjar on June 17, 2009. Through this MOU, USAID will finance the reconstruction and refurbishment of the Beirut Executions Court in the Palace of Justice and provide office furniture, information technology equipment and a modern case filing system at the court.  This $750,000 project is a part of USAID’s $8 million program to strengthen the capacity and infrastructure of the Judiciary. Overall goals for this effort include; increased independence of the Judiciary, improved legal training and increased access to justice. 

U.S. Government Supports Tripoli Community Development

July 14, 2009

USAID Encourages Road Safety

July 8, 2009

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Lebanon Mission Director Denise A. Herbol attended the launching of  the “Spreading Road Safety Culture” project with the Minister of Interior and Municipalities Ziad Baroud on July 8, 2009. This project will strengthen citizen awareness of driver safety issues and Lebanese driving laws.  The campaign will include 32 television advertisements providing information on a range of topics, such as the meaning of posted road signs and lane markers.   Billboards and flyers will emphasize the dangers of drinking and driving, the consequences of excessive speed, and the importance of using seatbelts.  In addition, the Red Cross will receive computer software to register and track road accident information.

USAID Supports Local Development Projects in Al-Qarqaf

July 8, 2009

USAID Assists The Lebanese University Law Faculty

July 7, 2009

The USAID Mission Director Denise A. Herbol attended a press conference to announce the plan to strengthen the curriculum of the Lebanese University Faculty of Law on July 7, 2009.   The Lebanese Association for the Philosophy of Law will use USAID’s $47,164 grant to launch a campaign to introduce a legal philosophy course, “Jurisprudence/Philosophy of Law,” to the University curriculum. USAID support will broaden the scope of offered courses at the Faculty of Law. This grant is part of the $9 million Transparency and Accountability Grants program, implemented by AMIDEAST.  By working with civil society organizations throughout Lebanon, the U.S. Government is encouraging citizens to play an active role in the development of Lebanon. Deans, presidents and vice-presidents of Lebanese University and other Universities were present at the ceremony in addition to the Lebanese Ministry of Culture Director General and the State Council previous president.

USAID Trains Saida Youth

July 6, 2009

The USAID Mission Director Denise A. Herbol attended the “Neighborhood Improvement” project closing ceremony in Saida on July 6, 2009.  The ceremony recognized fifty youth volunteers who conceived, planned and implemented community improvement activities in the last six months. These youth volunteers were recruited and trained to lead community development activities in Old Saida and Taameer.  They learned communication and interpersonal skills to design community activities and how to use the arts as an outreach tool.  The volunteers used wall paintings, theater, rehabilitation of a public garden and a children’s playground, and, founded a cinema club that regularly screens films dealing with various issues followed by open discussions.   The volunteers promoted Palestinian-Lebanese understanding and cooperation.  They worked with over 5500 beneficiaries. The Office of Transition Initiatives, part of USAID, implemented this $73,000 project.

USAID Supports Professional Training

June 29, 2009

U.S. Government Support Benefits Haigazian University Students

June 25, 2009

The USAID Mission Director Denise A. Herbol presented a check for $770,000 to Haigazian University President Dr. Paul Haidostian on June 25, 2009.  This grant will benefit 329 Haigazian University students as they pursue their degrees. The Haigazian University grant is part of a larger $6.2 million grant USAID has provided to five American educational institutions in Lebanon.  The other institutions are the American University of Beirut, the Lebanese American University, the American Community School, and International College.  Over 1,684 students benefit from this financial educational assistance.

USAID Supports Women and Entrepreneurs in The Nahr Al Bared Area

June 18, 2009

As part of USAID/Lebanon development assistance, the USAID Mission Director Denise A. Herbol attended a “Women’s Leadership Workshop” graduation ceremony in Minyara and awarded grants to individuals in the “Employment and Innovative Economic Expansion Fund” in the Nahr Al Bared area. The “Women’s Leadership Workshop” trained eighty four women in career development areas including communication, conflict resolution, decision-making and leadership skills.  The USAID funded program, implemented by Relief International, empowers women with professional skills to progress in their careers.

Ranging from three thousand to seven thousand US dollars each, nineteen entrepreneurs received grants during this ceremony from the USAID “Employment and Innovative Economic Expansion Fund” program. 

USAID Strengthens Tourism in Rural Areas

June 17, 2009

As part of the USAID funded Lebanese Business Linkages Initiatives (LBLI) program objective to strengthen the competitiveness of the tourism sector in Lebanon through support of the private sector, the Academy for Education Development (AED) initiated the preparation of the “Beyond Beirut” tourism campaign in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Lebanese Tour Operators. As such, AED held a series of meetings during the month of May; of which, the tourism workshop held on May 12, 2009 was one key meeting. It was held to present the AED plan to launch a campaign highlighting efforts to increase tour bookings in Lebanon by the Lebanese Diaspora. The $4.5 million USAID funded program LBLI, is aimed to build the capacity of small and medium size enterprises to be part of the economic value chain especially in the sectors of the Lebanese industry, namely agribusiness, tourism and information and communication technology.

“Women Empowerment at Work” training for fifty-seven women in Lebanon

June 6, 2009

Fifty seven women from the Akkar District (Halba and El Bireh Villages) received training in “women empowerment at work”. This USAID funded training program assists non-working women who seek to achieve financial independence.  The program also strengthens the capacity of women already in the work-place. “Women Empowerment at Work” is part of the gender integration activities provided by Relief International.  The project objectives were to provide women the communication, conflict resolution, decision making and leadership skills needed in the work place.  The project also provides information on resume preparation and how to succeed in a job interview.  This training is part of an $11 million project focusing on Municipal Capacity Building at the village level throughout Lebanon. 

USAID Presents Lebanese American University with $1,085,988 for Student Scholarships

May 27, 2009

USAID/Lebanon Acting Mission Director William D. McKinney presented a check for $1,085,988 to Lebanese American University (LAU) President Dr. Joseph Jabbra at the LAU Campus in Byblos on May 27, 2009. This check is part of the $2,315,000 grant that the Lebanese American University received from USAID for academic year 2008-2009. 494 Lebanese students enrolled at the University benefited from this grant by receiving an American style education. USAID’s scholarship assistance will help increase these students’ chances at finding job opportunities upon graduation. During the meeting, Mr. McKinney met with a number of students who received USAID financial aid assistance. The students discussed how the assistance has impacted them, as well as their future career plans.

USAID Supports Seven Lebanese Organizations

May 26, 2009

USAID/Lebanon Acting Mission Director William D. McKinney presented checks totaling $315,254 to seven Lebanese organizations at the U.S. Embassy on May 26, 2009. The organizations are: Missionary Sisters of the Saint Sacrament in Beit Habbak received $45,000 for kitchen equipment; Friends of the Public School Paradis d’Enfants in Ghadir $50,000 for computers, chairs, tables and other equipment; Groupement Social Scout $50,000 for computers, and multi-media and office equipment for the Father Chalhoub Scout House’s training center in Ghosta; Social Relief and Welfare Association in Saida $43,000 to establish a computer laboratory; Lebanese Association of SOS Children’s Villages $50,000 to install a heating system at its Ksarnaba center in the Beqaa; Forum of the Handicapped in Zahle $32,645 for computers and equipment for the candle workshop and physiotherapy center; Contact and Resource Center in Beirut $44,609.

Communication Skills and Documentation training for the disabled

May 25, 2009

A two day training course in written communication skills and documentation was held the week of May 25, 2009 in Beirut.  Fourteen people with physical and visual disabilities benefited from this USAID funded program.  The training will assist these individuals to locate and qualify for jobs. Training included how to prepare a resume, drafting of letters, and techniques for public speaking.  This activity falls under the USAID funded Towards Inclusive Development in Lebanon (TIDIL) program in partnership with Mercy Corps. The goal of TIDIL is to increase the inclusion of persons with disabilities in Lebanon’s social and economic development, with emphasis on those organizations and programs that are funded by USAID.

USAID Creates Economic Opportunities in Villages Surrounding Nahr El Bared

May 22, 2009

Under the Municipal Capacity Building and Service Delivery program, USAID is funding the implementation of local economic development projects for the remote village of Wadi al Jamous, located in the area surrounding the Nahr El Bared camp in North Lebanon. The village’s population lives on less than 135 dollars a month, and their economic situation has been further aggravated as a result of the July 2006 war and subsequent internal strife. USAID supported the democratic establishment of a committee at the village’s municipality, which assessed the economic situation of the village and proposed initiatives for economic development and job creation. Given the agricultural potential of the area, the committee decided to build a water canal for irrigation purposes. The canal will provide 67 farmers with access to water to increase their agricultural productivity. The committee has completed the bidding process and started the preparation works on the ground.

Public School Students Learn the Basics of Entrepreneurship

May 21, 2009

Thirty-three young boys from grades 7 and 8 attended the Entrepreneurial Master Class session that was held at the Second School in Zgharta for Boys on May 21, 2009.  Within the context of the Lebanon Education Assistance for Development (LEAD) program, these sessions introduce students to the notions of entrepreneurship and help equip them with the skills and attitudes necessary to become self-employed. Also under the LEAD program, the school benefited from rehabilitation works, as well as received science laboratory equipment.

USAID Opens New Wastewater Treatment Plant in Beqaa

April 29, 2009

USAID Presents $2.2 Million in Student Scholarships

April 29, 2009

USAID/Lebanon Mission Director Denise A. Herbol presented a check for $2.2 million to American University of Beirut (AUB) on April 29, 2009. This contribution is part of a larger scholarship assistance grant to help more than 745 deserving Lebanese students pursue their studies at AUB. Thanks to this assistance, students with financial need will receive an American style education. During the visit, Herbol met with AUB students and discussed the importance of this assistance and its impact on their future.

USAID Launches Help Center for Abused Women

USAID Supports Youth Initiatives

April 29, 2009

USAID Opens New Business Center in Halba

April 29, 2009

US Ambassador Michele J. Sison and USAID/Lebanon Mission Director Denise A. Herbol participated in the opening ceremony of the Business Development Center at the Municipality of Halba. The center was established to provide services to all businesses and communities in the Akkar area. USAID provided $75,000 to the center for furniture, computers, website development and training services.

USAID Supports Certified Public Accountants

April 22, 2009

USAID/Lebanon Mission Director Denise A. Herbol spoke at the Lebanese Association of Certified Public Accountants (LACPA), on the occasion of LACPA’s 17^th International Congress on April 22, 2009. This event also marked the launch of a new web portal for the USAID granted LACPA $49,450 for the purpose of creating a tri-lingual web portal for the organization, to help it better serve the Public Accountant profession and improve transparency in its communications with stakeholders and the public at large.

USAID Supports the Ministry of Interior on Elections

April 14, 2009

Ambassador Michele J. Sison witnessed the signing by USAID/Lebanon Mission Director Denise A. Herbol and Minister of Interior and Municipalities Ziad Baroud a Memorandum of Understanding to support Lebanon’s electoral process on April 14, 2009. USAID will provide $1.7 million in assistance to the Ministry through its partner, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems or IFES. 

Congressional Delegation Meets with Students at American University of Beirut

April 9, 2009

A ten person congressional delegation led by Congressman Russ Carnahan met with students at the American University of Beirut (AUB) over a working lunch on April 9, 2009. These students have received assistance from USAID under the scholarship assistance to American educational institutions. The students articulate how the scholarships provided them an opportunity for a higher education which they otherwise may not have had.  The working lunch was also attended by the US Ambassador Michele J. Sison and USAID Mission Director Denise A. Herbol, as well as AUB’s President Peter Dorman.

USAID Provides Grants to Support Workers’ Rights, Traffic Safety and Local Newspaper

April 9, 2009

Advanced Training on Disability Inclusion

March 24, 2009

USAID funded an advanced training workshop on March 24, 2009, targeting non-governmental organizations. The objective of the workshop was to provide non-governmental organizations with the tools and methodologies necessary to employ people with disabilities in their organizations. The workshop covered the following themes: criteria to engineer a space in an inclusive manner, orientation and mobility for the visually impaired and the physically disabled, vocational and social communication, adapted modes of communication and access to information materials and adapting scopes of work. Many of organizations who attended the workshop will use the information as they plan on employing people with disabilities within their institutions, as part of USAID's Towards Inclusive Development in Lebanon program.

USAID/Lebanon Completes Oil Spill Clean-Up

March 17, 2009

As the final phase of completion of the oil spill cleanup activity along the coastline, USAID funded the transport of oil-contaminated sand from Jbeil to a Ministry of Environment designated landfill area in Beirut.  USAID/Lebanon Mission Director Denise A. Herbol visited the area in Beirut on March 17, 2009 to verify completion of the mission obligations under the MOU for this activity.

USAID Provides Scholarships to the Lebanese American University

March 9, 2007

USAID Receives Environmental Award

March 7, 2009

The USAID Lebanon Mission Director Denise A. Herbol received an award from the Ministry of Environment and Mrs. Sleiman (wife of President Sleiman of Lebanon), recognizing USAID’s contribution to the preservation and conservation of the environment in Lebanon. The award was presented at the “Permanent National Conference for the Environment” on March 7, 2009 at an event attended by 1,000 people. 

USAID Launches “Citizen Municipal Guide” in Braille

February 19, 2009

USAID/Lebanon Mission Director Denise A. Herbol attended the launching of the “Citizen Municipal Guide” in Braille at the Municipality of Sin El Fil on February 19, 2009.  The Braille version will help visually impaired citizens better understand their rights in transactions conducted at local municipalities.

USAID Launches Program to Modernize Tax Information and Citizen Reception Office

February 2, 2009

USAID Presents $400,000 to International College

January 27, 2009

USAID Funds Municipal Citizen Guide for Batroun

December 4, 2008

USAID Helps the Elderly in Aley

December 5, 2008

USAID Presents $50,000 to Saint Joseph University

December 3, 2008

Opening of a New Youth Center in Ebl Es-Saqi

December 3, 2008

With funding from USAID/OTI (Office of Transition Initiatives), a new Youth Center was recently inaugurated at Ebl Es-Saqi in Marjayoun by the USAID/Lebanon Mission Director Denise A. Herbol. The idea to establish the Youth Center initially stems from the need to establish a community space for the youth of this area to meet, attract other youth activists and offer services to students. The project, in a multi-confessional area, was implemented in partnership with the Lebanese Development Forum (LDF), a local organization active in the area. As part of the project, OTI also provided a leadership training camp for the youth.  Both the mayors and youth present expressed their desire to find compromise and religious tolerance through programs which will be designed and implemented by the youth.

USAID Launches New TRA Website

December 2, 2008

USAID/Lebanon Mission Director Denise A. Herbol attended the launching of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA)’s new portal and information database on December 3, 2008.  Along with the Minister of Telecommunications, Ms. Herbol spoke about the importance of this program as the GOL moves forward in preparation for the sale of the two mobile telecoms in Lebanon.  The project falls under the USAID-funded Transparency and Accountability Grants (TAG) program, implemented by AMIDEAST. USAID provided a grant to the TRA for $100,000 to enable it to develop its current website www.tra.gov.lb that serves as a comprehensive bi-lingual information portal on information and communication technology (ICT), targeting the general public as well as ICT professionals. The TRA’s share of the project amounts to $65,320.

Public School Receives New Computer Laboratory

Within the context of the LEAD (Lebanon Education Assistance for Development) program, USAID funded the establishment of a brand new computer laboratory at a public school in Jbeil that will benefit more than 300 students enrolled at the school. Implemented by the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) and the Cooperative Housing Foundation(CHF), the LEAD program aims to: 1) Carry out minor repair works to enhance the physical capabilities of public schools 2) Provide school equipment such as science laboratory equipment, classroom equipment and computer laboratories 3) Implement awareness programs on health, nutrition and social awareness for a better learning environment 4) Conduct extracurricular activities to enhance the students’ skills and learning experience. As a result of the program, more than 85,000 students at 283 public schools throughout Lebanon will benefit from an improved educational environment.

USAID Supports Four Lebanese Organizations

USAID provided $198,840 to four Lebanese non-governmental organizations at a ceremony held at Father Afif Osseiran Foundation. The four organizations that received assistance are: a) Father Afif Osseiran “Foyer de la Providence” to improve the center’s vocational training facilities and classrooms; b) Association of Graduates Institute of Fine Arts at the Lebanese University to purchase equipment for the Lebanese University Fourth Branch in Deir El Qamar; c) Mission de Vie to improve its center to helping more than seventy homeless individuals per year and d) Youth Association for the Blind to improve its overall services in helping visually impaired children have access to quality education.

USAID Supports Lebanese Communities Around Nahr El Bared Camp

November 12, 2008

USAID Inaugurates Agricultural Cooperative in South Lebanon

November 10, 2008

USAID Provides Assistance to Communities Around Nahr El Bared

October 14, 2008

Within the context of its support to the North, USAID is providing assistance to the Lebanese communities around Nahr El Bared. USAID will support the stabilization, rehabilitation and livelihood recovery of these communities by creating jobs, rebuilding the capacity of local governments and other institutions to support their constituents, and improving water management and resources, as well as supporting small and medium size enterprises in affected areas. Funded at a level of $6 million, the program is being implemented by the Cooperative Housing Foundation (CHF) and Relief International (RI).  

USAID Launches E-Municipality Initiative

October 1, 2008

More than $1 Million in Assistance to Vulnerable Citizens

October 1, 2008

USAID Helps Young Orphans

September 23, 2008

USAID Celebrates Achievements of Organic Farming Program

September 23, 2008

USAID and partner World Vision celebrated the achievements of the SABIL program, which created and strengthened the organic agriculture sector in Lebanon. With USAID funding over the past three years, the Sustainable Agri-Business Initiative for Lebanon – SABIL program has established organic agriculture as a profitable and sustainable farming system for rural Lebanese communities. Activities included developing a local cooperative – Bio Coop Lubnan – that became an independent and capable organization, with extension services, production facilities and marketing capabilities. 120 farmers are members of Bio Coop Lubnan. Through the program, Lebanese farmers were able to earn organic certifications and sell their produce under the brand name Campagnia. Furthermore, some organic products have been exported to the Gulf and to Europe. More than 600 new employment opportunities have been created under the SABIL project.

Olive Oil Cooperative Receives USAID-Funded Equipment

September 17, 2008

Municipalities Receive Training on Economic Development

September 17, 2008

USAID Constructs New Building for Agricultural Cooperatives in South Lebanon

September 9, 2008

Training Program Strengthens Rural Municipalities

July 24, 2008

Public Schools Incorporate Information Technology into Classrooms

June 2, 2008

Under the Lebanon Education Assistance for Development (LEAD) program, USAID funded the Learning Enhances Awareness (LEA) training sessions in partnership with the Cooperative Housing Foundation (CHF) and local partner IJMA3. As part of the LEA project, the El-Mourabi Fadl El-Moukadam Secondary School for Girls in Tripoli – one of seven schools participating in the LEA project – benefited from the information technology training. Nine students and seven teachers received training on how to use IT to improve students’ learning process. The goal of the LEA project is to introduce information technology into classrooms and encourage teachers and students to integrate IT into their teaching methods. Also under the LEA project, the school received computer equipment to apply the newly taught methods.

School Students Visit USAID-Funded Solid Waste Management Facility

April 22, 2008

Local Agricultural Cooperative Generates Income from Feed with USAID Funding

March 6, 2008

As part of the USAID-funded Landmine and War Victims’ Assistance program in the district of Jezzine, an animal feed mill was established in the village of Azour. The feed mill’s purpose is to cater for the needs of project beneficiaries by ensuring quality animal feed at affordable cost. The cooperative buys raw materials from the local market and processes them in the feed mill – taking into account the right mix for various agricultural needs, facilitates access to feed at a competitive price, controls feed quality and generates income to the cooperative through sales in various villages throughout the district. During the month of February 2008, the cooperative’s income from selling both poultry and goat feed alone reached more than $15,000.

With USAID Funding Municipal Employees Receive Training for Better Efficiency

January 4, 2008

With funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), 24 managers and senior staff representing ten large municipalities participated in a best practices workshop organized by the State University of New York/Center for Legislative Development (SUNY/CLD). The workshop mainly focused on facilitating efficient working relationships among participating institutions. The workshop also explained the Municipal Personnel and Payroll System software application that has been developed under the program. This workshop is part of a series of workshops that help municipalities throughout Lebanon share experiences for better efficiency and to promote the standardization of human resource management.

Tourist Maps of Lebanon Are Now Online

December 17, 2007

Under its tourism portfolio, USAID funded the development of the first interactive mapping website in Lebanon and the Arab world at www.LebanonMaps.net.  The website allows travelers to Lebanon to query a specific tourist attraction and locate it on a map, as well as zoom in or zoom out and obtain customized itineraries and driving directions. Most major and minor tourist sites and lodgings throughout the country are featured on the website, with descriptions, photos and contact information. This project was implemented by SRI International, in partnership with local organization INMA and the Ministry of Tourism.

1,250 Students Benefit from Enhanced Vocational Training Facilities

December 10, 2007

With USAID funding under the tourism portfolio, assistance is being provided to promote the human resources in the tourism, catering and hospitality sectors in Lebanon. Within the context of this program, USAID is extending assistance to Al-Kafaat Foundation, a leading vocational training institution in Lebanon, through the American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA). The program recently completed the finishing of the institution’s on-campus training restaurant – which serves as an on-the-job training facility for students – as well as provided one hundred computers for its graphic design computer laboratory. Furthermore, the program established an office for placement services on campus to help students find gainful employment upon their graduation. Since its inception in January, the office has helped forty-two students find employment. Also, owners of rural cottage inns – who are beneficiaries under a parallel objective in this program – are benefiting from hands-on training at the institutions’ premises. Al-Kafaat graphic design students have been recruited to design the websites and outreach materials for these beneficiaries in order to improve the marketing of their rural establishments.

School Children Learn about Dental Hygiene

November 26, 2007

With USAID funding under the LEAD (Lebanon Education Assistance for Development) program, dental hygiene awareness sessions were held in Chouf, targeting 190 public school students from two public schools. Teachers and health educators from both schools also attended the session, which were conducted in partnership with four dentists from Universite Saint Joseph (USJ). The sessions covered the following topics: the types of healthy foods, the foods that most damage the teeth, how to brush the teeth daily, the development of the teeth and the gum, the importance of fluoride and the measures to prevent cavities. During the sessions, dental hygiene kits – including a toothbrush and toothpaste – as well as educational flyers were distributed to the students.

Landmine and War Victims in the South Raise Goats

November 21, 2007

With funding from USAID, landmine and war victims and their families residing in the Southern district of Jezzine received goats, as part of an income-generating initiative. The goat rearing program has thus far provided four goats to fifteen landmine victims in the area. Goats will be sold for meat as well as used for milk production, with the aim of increasing the goat owners’ household income by about $250 per month. As part of the program, each goat owner receives technical training, veterinary services for the goats, feed for a period of three months and marketing services.

USAID Project Revives Ancient Archeological Sites

November 7, 2007

Within the context of USAID’s rural tourism portfolio, SRI International has installed six information panels in the Sfire Roman Temple located in Dinnieh in North Lebnaon. Each panel provides the historical context and background for the site, as well as three-dimensional drawings that feature how the structure stood two millenniums ago. The project was achieved in partnership with local historians and archeologists and aims to revive Lebanon’s rural areas by promoting long-neglected archeological sites. Similar work was also executed at the ruins of the Roman temple of Maqam Ar-Rab in Akkar.  

Water Establishment Improves Financial Practices

November 1, 2007

With USAID funding, employees at the South Lebanon Water Establishment are receiving technical assistance on new financial methods as part of the Lebanon Water Policy Program (LWPP). The program developed a Financial Cost Recovery software program for the Establishment to better monitor its revenues, expenses and cost recovery. This tool will also allow the Establishment to grow into a viable entity with both capable management and technical staff. The LWPP program provides continuous supervision and on-the-job training to the employees who are responsible for the update of the financial model. 

USAID-Funded Program Improves Banana Production

October 25, 2007

With USAID funding, the Cooperative Housing Foundation (CHF) is currently improving banana production in Saida, South Lebanon. Within the context of this project, CHF introduced the concept of the net house for growing bananas, in order to protect them from adverse climatic conditions. The net house technique enables farmers to produce 8 tons of banana bunches per 1,000 square meters, as compared to 2.5 tons in open fields. The selling price of bananas has also increased as a result of the project because of early harvesting and proper post-handling, reflecting a 14% increase in net profit. The project also features training on harvesting and post-harvesting techniques targeting farmers and growers. As of September 2007, 190 tons of bananas have been produced, generating $103,684 in total sales. The project has also created 209 jobs and trained more than 530 persons on various related subjects.

Lebanese Students Have Better Learning Environments

October 15, 2007

The U.S. Government is responding to the specific needs of public schools throughout Lebanon, by providing them with renovation works, computer and science laboratories and extracurricular activities. The First Intermediate School for Girls in Zgharta is one of 263 public schools that are currently receiving USAID assistance under the LEAD (Lebanon Education Assistance for Development) program. Established in Zgharta since 1962, the school accommodates 268 young girls coming from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds. The school’s physical structure was in dire condition, with the staircase constituting a hazard to the children.  With USAID funding, the Cooperative Housing Foundation (CHF) repaired the school’s staircase, painted the school’s external façade and did maintenance works in the restrooms.

Lebanese ICT Firms Access International Markets

September 25, 2007

With U.S. Government funding through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), twenty Lebanese companies specializing in information and communication technology (ICT) participated in the much-awaited regional exhibition GITEX (Gulf Information Technology Exhibition) in Dubai on September 8-12, 2007. The yearly exhibition is a golden opportunity for ICT companies worldwide to market their products and technology solutions to potential buyers from the Gulf and worldwide. To maximize the participating companies’ benefit from the exhibition, two experts representing international markets were available on site to provide technical assistance on international marketing strategies and exporting techniques pertaining to the ICT sector. Participation to the GiTEX 2007 came as a follow up to last year’s participation, which resulted in 3,000 contacts for Lebanese companies, as well as over $1 million worth of international orders.

Lebanese Students Explore Cedar Forests

September 7, 2007

Children from two schools in Barja, part of the 200 public schools being upgraded by the U.S. Government, took a field trip to Lebanon’s famous cedar forests in Barouk and Beit Eddine. In addition to enjoying a day outdoors, they learned about the ecology of the cedar forests and native plants and animals.

Expert Food Tasters Give High Marks to Lebanese Mezze

August 29, 2007

More than 150 visitors attended a Mezze Festival in Zahle, Lebanon, on July 29, 2007. Visitors watched a mezze tasting competition, and bought food and crafts from small local and regional businesses. Twelve contestants from across Lebanon competed in the tasting for the awards of best traditional and innovative mezze. The jury consisted of an executive chef, restaurant entrepreneur and other food experts.

Prospective Guides Trained for Lebanon Mountain Trail

August 17, 2007

Fifty prospective local guides for the newly marked Lebanon Mountain Trail learned proper guiding skills in two outdoor workshops in July. Their enthusiasm and the commitment of villagers along the trail demonstrate the determination of Lebanon’s mountain communities to conserve their unique natural and cultural heritage.

Lebanese Companies Participate in 53rd Annual Fancy Food Show in New York

August 7, 2007

Tourism in Lebanon Goes High Tech with Hand-Held GPS Guides

July 25, 2007

Soon visitors to Lebanon will be able to use hand-held GPS devices to find tourist sites and neighboring businesses throughout the country. These PDA Guides have 11,000 destinations programmed into them, complete with maps, route plans, estimated times to arrival and information on businesses in the area. Seventy of them will be distributed to hotels and other tourist organizations to loan, free of charge, to tourists visiting Lebanon.

Trainers Prepared to Teach Safe Food Handling Techniques

July 12, 2007

About 40 trainers from across Lebanon attended a course in food handling and quality control sponsored by the U.S. Government. The course covered topics ranging from harvesting techniques and food safety to market preparation. The trainers are now qualified to train others in the techniques, spreading the know-how throughout the country.

Rebuilt Bridge Re-establishes Link between Villages in Western Bekaa

June 25, 2007

The U.S. Government finished rebuilding the Nahr Al-Shita Bridge in the Western Bekaa’s Markaba region in May 2007. The bridge, situated on the Litany River, is an important link between villages. It was destroyed during last summer’s conflict.