In the presence of representatives of associations and non-governmental organizations, and with generous funding from Read Foundation UK, the URDA’s education sector launched two buses as part of the “School in a Bus” project on Tuesday, 14 September 2021, in the Al Yasamine refugee camp in Bekaa and the Sibleen refugee camp in Iqlim Al Kharroub, where the two buses will deliver education to 200 marginalized children who are unable to access their basic rights in a step that aim to break the deep-rooted stereotype of education in students’ minds.
The buses were equipped with the basics for a successful educational process, targeting the neediest segment of camp children, offering science and entertainment programs and interactive classes within a distinctive educational environment, with educational and technical tools, as well as targeted film screenings and puppet shows to develop thinking and build a conscious personality.
In his recorded speech during the ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of Read Foundation, Jahangeer Akhtar emphasized URDA’s role and efforts as a key partner for implementing humanitarian projects in Lebanon through its professional staff that understands Read’s vision, mission, and core values.
For her part, Executive Director Jihan Kaisi said that URDA has always been a safe refuge for the needy in Lebanon, and the children’s happiness to be part of this innovative educational project is indescribable, stressing the importance of continuing these specialized humanitarian projects to ensure the future of the upcoming generations.
In turn, URDA’s Education Manager, Hanan Al Omari stressed that a sustainable pilot project was needed to link children to schools and pave the way for children and parents to understand the importance of education through continued awareness especially since refugee camps and slums record high percentages of school dropout and illiteracy rates.
The “School in a Bus” project is being implemented in the Bekaa area for the second year in a row, and for the first time ever in Mount Lebanon, in a new experiment for refugee students in that area. Two more buses are being prepared to operate in the Aarsal and Akkar areas to set off on a new journey that will instill hope in the hearts of students who have been denied an education where it will connect them to formal education in a unique human experience.
