Beddawi Camp is located in Northern Lebanon, 6.5km to the north of Tripoli city. It is situated on a small hill overlooking the Mediterranean, with an area of 4km².

The Camp population is about 14,290, among them 1,085 displaced persons, UNRWA runs 7 elementary and intermediate schools, while different non-governmental organizations operate 4 kindergartens inside the camp.

Beddawi Social / Cultural Center

The center was established in 1990, through a financial support from the Malaysian Sociological Research Center, as a gift from People of Malaysia to the Palestinians of Beddawi camp.

The center provides financial, social education, cultural and health services to all members of the sponsored families.

Projects of the Center

The following projects are currently

implemented  at the center:

▪    Sponsorship for 174 children from 86

     families, who are offered monthly

     aid from individual sponsors.  

 

▪    This financial support is the first step

      towards social care extended to the

      whole family, to enable the mother in 

      her struggle to support andmaintain

      the unity of her family.  

 

▪    Special social and cultural activities

     are planned for the children and

     mothers.

 

▪    Recreational activities such as

     sports and art are also provided

     according to a planned program, in

     addition to summer camps organized

     with the participation of youths from

     other countries.

 

▪    A kindergarten provides pre-school

     education for more than 70 kids

     age 3-6 years.

 

▪    A dental clinic offers treatment &

     oral hygiene education for all

     kindergartens inside the camp.  

 

▪    5 university scholarships are

     offered to 3 boys and 2 girls at

     the center.

 

▪    A class for 16 girls with special needs.

 

▪    Remedial classes helping 70 children

     who need after-school assistance in

     their studies.

 

▪    A computer center offering training

     and services for all the camp

     inhabitants.

 

Staff

 

The Institution takes special care to recruit most of the staff from inside the camp as a way to provide job opportunities for the people. The center is run through the combined efforts of 3 social workers and 3 Kindergarten teachers, with the cooperation of a dentist and dental nurse. 

 

3 teachers for remedial classes, a driver and a cleaning woman are also among the staff. Special care is given to develop the skills of the staff, by organizing special workshops and in-service, as part of a capacity building efforts.

 

 

Objectives of the Centre   

 

The main objective of this center is to provide support for all families who lost their bread earner (by death or disability) through care extended to the children to reach the whole family. Maintaining the unity of the family and developing its potential, provides for the children better mental and physical growth.

 

 

New Service Offered

 

In the aftermath of the war in August 2006, the need for a mental health facility in the centre has become even more vital. A Family Guidance Centre was established with a psychiatrist, psychologist, speech therapist,  and an assisting social worker. The number of children who need treatment for trauma, anguish and stress due to the violence of war and the overall situation of the refugees is increasing day by day.

 

 

Running Cost per Year

 

Social Work                      RM   83,100

Kindergarten                     RM   58,000

Dental Clinic                     RM   44,000

Family Guidance Centre     RM 285,000

Other Costs                      RM   51,000

 

Total                                         RM 521,100