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History of the YMCA of Lebanon

The YMCA in Lebanon has very early roots. A Christian association was formed in Beirut in 1890. In 1919 work started in Tripoli. Early services targeted students at the American University of Beirut and other colleges, services to Armed Forces in World War II, recreational and medical programmes, "Home for the homeless", and vocational training.

YMCA programs were carried out in YMCA centres in Beirut and Tripoli, and at programme centres under the direction of a National Refugee Committee, in Tyre and Sidon. The YMCA Camp Fares at Ras El Matn is the only resident camp in Lebanon. Activities have included boys clubs, commercial courses, language classes, social and cultural programmes, physical education and sports, travel programmes and camping. In 1969 the Lebanon YMCA reported 1,200 members, 75 volunteer leaders, and 4 professional secretaries. The Lebanese YMCA has been co-operating closely with the World Alliance in special emergency programmes for Palestinian refugees; this co-operation was intensified after the war in June 1967.

An Evolving Mission

When the YMCA of Lebanon was first established, it was concerned solely with the promotion of Christian values amongst its Christian membership. Many of these values still motivate our current work. In the 1950s, the YMCA of Lebanon began to function much like other YMCAs around the world. It became increasingly concerned with the experiences of youth in the country. To this end, the YMCA of Lebanon had developed youth programs that are traditionally associated with the YMCA - such as summer camping, leadership training, health clubs, water safety, aquatics, and gymnastics - and also worked amongst Palestinian refugee youth.

However, it was the outbreak of civil war in 1975 that demanded the most rapid and drastic changes in the YMCA of Lebanon's history. With the increasing chaos, danger, and suffering of war, it became both impossible, and indeed undesirable, to continue to organize recreational and educational activities for the youth. The need for emergency relief was growing exponentially.

Thus, the YMCA of Lebanon was faced with an important choice: whether to suspend all of its activities for the duration of the war, which nobody knew how long it will take, or to fundamentally reorient the organization's mission towards working with the war-affected, the displaced, and the needy. The YMCA chose to work where the need was greatest, and where its experience and expertise could be of most use to the country. It was at this juncture, therefore, that the YMCA of Lebanon repositioned itself as a leading national NGO, and began serving all of the regions and the people of Lebanon.

During the war (1975-1990), the YMCA's committed team of staff and volunteers became actively engaged in carrying out a number of high priority and strategically needed programs in both relief and rehabilitation. An emergency relief program oversaw the distribution of food, clothing, and medicine to the destitute and war affected. Rehabilitation efforts focused on the training of young men and women in vocations to offer them an alternative to joining the fighting militias or the illegal income generating activities. Furthermore, assistance was offered to social service institutions to help them repair their physical infrastructure damage caused by the war, and to train their volunteers and staff in more efficient management methods to better meet the overwhelming needs of the population.

The YMCA Today

The YMCA now operates large programs in agriculture, child rights, entrepreneurship, environment, vocational training, women's empowerment, and more. With an approach to aid that places no preference on religion or political affiliations, the YMCA has become synonymous with impartiality, reliability and strong program management.The organization works with communities to identify local needs and solutions. This methodology assures that program beneficiaries are receiving the assistance that they need and want to improve their overall quality of life. By serving communities with the projects that they value, the YMCA creates a sense of ownership and gains the trust of beneficiaries, partners and counterparts in the region.