Where we are

Sabra is an area in the southern part of Beirut where JCC has had a center since the 1950s. It is easily accessible to the Shatilla refugee camp and to the numerous Palestinian refugee families gathered around that camp. The center is in the middle of a very busy market and occupies 2 floors of an apartment building. The center began with one floor which ran a kindergarten and a dressmaking and embroidery program that has since changed into a hair-dressing and beauty program. An outdoor space at the back of the premises has recently and with great difficulty been acquired to provide a much needed playground for the kindergarten.

Two apartments on the second floor were rented in 2008 to provide space for a number of important programs of JCC. The vocational program of electronics and computers was moved to one of the apartments with enough space to run a tutoring program for students in need of help or those with learning problems. A literacy program and a program for the elderly also share the space. The second apartment is dedicated to workshops, community meetings and special activities for the students of all programs.

Sidon

Sidon is a city to the south of Beirut. Two Palestinian refugee camps are on the boarders of the city, one of them being Ain el Helwe, the largest camp in Lebanon housing more than 50 000 refugees. The old city of Sidon is also home to a large number of refugee families.

JCC established a center in the midst of Sidon in 1953 accessible to all refugee gatherings and has been operating there ever since. Initially established to teach dressmaking and embroidery, it now teaches beauty skills and hairdressing, secretarial studies and some intensive computer courses. The center offers its services to researchers who are conducting studies for the camps and offers its premises for workshops in need of a space to conduct trainings within the JCC goals and work-scope.

Tyre

In the far south of Lebanon sits the ancient city of Tyre. There are 3 Palestinian refugee camps in this area, serving around 45 000 refugees in addition to numerous Palestinian gatherings mostly of those who have no identity cards. On the edge of the city JCC has a small farm where agriculture courses are run and organic produce is grown. A variety of programs such as flower arranging, soap making, bee care and others are conducted as well. In addition workshops handling subjects of interest to the rural community often take place and attract a big number of young people and women.

Many of the Palestinian families expelled in 1948 came from farming communities, so maintaining these agricultural skills not only provides important vocational training that allows young refugees to look after their families, but it also helps them maintain their cultural heritage.

Dbayeh

The Dbayeh refugee camp is located 12 km to the east of Beirut on a hillside overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. It is one of the smallest camps in Lebanon, with around 5000 inhabitants. The houses are very small and are built in close proximity creating cramped living condition. Strict building rules are enforced creating a problem in housing for the increasing camp population.

JCC has been active in Dbayeh since 1997 where it runs a variety of educational, cultural and sportive activities for the children and youth of the camp. The JCC library and community center create a focal point for all the activities which include many programs for women as well.