Lebanon (MNN) — Lebanon’s economy has been in freefall since 2019, pushing nearly three-quarters of the population into poverty. Education is the latest victim in Lebanon’s collapse.
“Education has taken a big setback. Many people cannot afford school,” Nuna with Triumphant Mercy Lebanon says.
“Many kids in private schools have now been obliged to go to a public school, and they’re not happy.”
(Photo courtesy of Triumphant Mercy Lebanon)
Private schools have long been the educational “norm” in Lebanon, schooling 60 percent of the country’s 1.25 million students. However, in the 2020–2021 academic year, 55,000 students shifted from private to public schools, putting more strain on another failed state system.
“Usually, public schools are not so great because the teachers’ salaries are not high. So, people are going to spend time there, not educate kids,” Nuna says.
Triumphant Mercy opened its first learning center in a refugee camp in 2013. Now, it operates four centers helping 500 kids.
Usually, the classrooms fill up with refugee children, but “we have seen an increase of Lebanese people coming to our centers because they’re not able to afford regular schools,” Nuna says.
Meeting a practical need like education segues naturally to spiritual needs and sharing the hope of Christ. “People know who we are. We’re not hiding our identity, so they know we are Christians,” Nuna says.
“When they see we are genuinely trying to help them, it’s very easy to open up and talk about the Gospel.”
Based in Beirut, Triumphant Mercy is not immune from Lebanon’s economic woes, and they need your help to keep programs going. You can give safely on Triumphant Mercy’s website.
“We need help to [help others],” Nuna says.
“We’re trying to do as [much] as possible, but we cannot be there for them (needy families) every month because we cannot afford it.”
Header and story images courtesy of Triumphant Mercy Lebanon.
