News & Events – Joint Christian Committee For Social Services in Lebanon

Dbayeh Center End of Summer Festival (Aug 2024)

The end-of-summer festival in JCC Dbayeh Camp was a truly magical. It was filled with joyful laughter, and awe-struck faces of the children. The air was alive with the rhythm of music, the warmth of shared happiness and the aroma of delicious food. From the beaming smiles of children to captivating performances, every detail came together to create an unforgettable celebration of hope, joy, and community.

Here’s a glimpse of the magic we created together, a day where worries melted away, and the camp came alive with laughter and belonging.

Sabra Center Summer (Aug 2024)

The summer program at JCC Sabra Center offered a memorable introduction to school life for KG and “Children-on-the-Move” students. They engaged in games and sports to develop teamwork and motor skills while learning about colors, hygiene, and plants. Older students began basic reading, writing, and math lessons. The program concluded with a fun-filled trip to a riverside resort for the children and their parents, followed by another outing with the elderly ladies and the students from the Hairdressing and Beauty Skills program, fostering beautiful intergenerational connections through shared activities and free beauty sessions.

Sabra Center Film Festival invitation (Mar 2024)

The students of the JCC Center in Sabra were thrilled about the invitation to the “Jana International Film Festival for Children and Youth” at the Madina Theater in Beirut.
They were excited to see movies made by kids like them and learn about filmmaking. It’s a chance for them to express themselves and experience stories from different cultures.

Sabra Center International Day of Education (Jan 24th)

January 24 saw our older students’ classrooms busy with excitement as we commemorated World Education Day. The day was filled with purposeful activities, designed to ignite a passion for learning and chart future career paths. Encouraging our children to dress up in uniforms representing their dream professions not only fueled their creativity but also fostered ambition and direction. Our aim was to nurture enthusiasm for learning and equip the students with the confidence to pursue their aspirations.

Sabra Center International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (Dec 22nd)

On December 21, 2023, the students and teachers of the Sabra Cener held a solidarity event for the Children of Gaza during the Christmas season.

Joined together with the families of students and the elderly ladies, the event featured activities like candle lighting, speeches, and poetry recitations, especially among the elderly participants.

Dbayeh Center St. Berbara (Dec 2023)

Dbayeh Center Lebanese Independence Day Celebration (Nov 2023)

Dbayeh Center Summer Camp (July, 2023)

Sabra Center Students visiting Tyre farm (July 15th)

Our Sabra Center students embarked on a journey to the JCC Farm in Tyre, where they immersed themselves in the fascinating realm of beekeeping and the art of crafting golden honey.

The visit to the farm was an eye-opening experience for the students. Our young explorers had the chance to witness the bees’ tireless dedication and learn about the vital role they play in our ecosystem.

Then they delved into the world of crop cultivation, gaining insights into the various vegetables and fruits grown on the farm, understanding the perfect timing for planting and harvesting, and how to work in harmony with nature’s rhythm.

The visit was a journey of inspiration; witnessing the bees’ continuous and diligent work taught our students valuable lessons about resilience and dedication. It was an experience that left them buzzing with enthusiasm and reverence for the wonders of nature.

Sabra Center Students commemorate the Nakba – May 15^th

The Palestinians in all the areas of their diaspora remember and commemorate May 15 as the day they lost their country and the Israelis declared Palestine as their ancestral country of Israel.

This day is known as the Nakba Day meaning the catastrophe. It is the day hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were forced out of their homes, villages and towns and became refugees in different parts of the world. It is the day to remember a lost country and the right to return to it.

Dbayeh Center Osteoporosis: Prevention and Treatment Awareness Campaign (May, 2023)

Dr. Elias Haddad, an expert in orthopedics and joints, spearheaded an awareness campaign focused on raising awareness about osteoporosis prevention and treatment. 37 women from the community had the opportunity to benefit from a free osteoporosis test, courtesy of the generous sponsorship from Yamed Pharmaceutical & Europharm. The test provided valuable insights into the participants’ bone health and helped identify potential risks or early signs of osteoporosis. The participants also received medical samples of vitamin D and calcium.

The awareness campaign, led by Dr. Elias Haddad, served as a platform for educating the community about osteoporosis and empowering individuals with the knowledge and resources to take proactive steps in preventing and treating this condition.

Sabra Center Children’s Visit to the Zoo (May, 2023)

The nursery and young students from the Sabra Center embarked on an exciting excursion to the “Animal City” Zoo, located in the Nahr El Kalb area. This delightful outing allowed the children to immerse themselves in the captivating world of animals, both domestic and wild, as well as birds and reptiles. They relished the opportunity to observe and interact with the diverse array of creatures at the zoo, making it a memorable day for all.

Dbayeh Center Domestic Violence and Bullying Session (May, 2023)

As part of their continuous efforts to raise awareness, JCC Dbayeh, in collaboration with Justice Without Frontiers, conducted a session on domestic violence and bullying. This session aimed to educate participants about these important issues.

The event included a health awareness session led by physiotherapist Cesar Haddad, where women in attendance were provided with valuable information about common skeletal problems and effective treatment approaches.

Sabra Center Mothers’ and Children’s Day (March 21, 2023)

Children’s and Mother’s Day is a special holiday at the Sabra center. This year, our playground area was beautifully decorated for the students and mothers to enjoy. The mothers were invited to join their children to celebrate with music, dancing, sweets and gifts. The children had prepared presents and recorded messages for their mothers. Each child received a small present in honor of children’s day.

In cooperation with a partner organisation, the Sabra center took around 50 ladies from our program for the elderly on a Mother’s Day excursion to a park nearby. The women enjoyed themselves sitting together in nature, forgetting about the strains of daily life, strolling through the park, taking photos and singing together. A healthy full meal at the end of the excursion was the highlight of the day. The following day the ladies gathered in our center where speeches were held and each lady received a small gift.

Dbayeh Center Audio-visual workshop in (March 2023)

For the JCC youth of the Dbayeh camp, a 3-month audio-visual workshop was conducted by Mr. Elie Assi. It gave an insight into the audio-visual industry, from pre-production to post production.

The 11 youth got to explore their creative talents by coming up with ideas and stories for a final report for this workshop. The challenge was to come up with a unique story that could be used as an educational tool. After a lot of brainstorming and hard work, they finally decided on making a film about drug awareness that would be both entertaining and informative.

This audio-visual workshop was an amazing learning experience for all involved, and it will surely have lasting effects on their future careers especially if they decide to go into the film industry.

Sabra Center Teachers’ Day celebration in (Mar 2023)

The Sabra Center went all out to express their gratitude towards their hardworking teachers and staff on Teachers’ Day, by hosting a jubilant brunch. This was a momentous occasion to appreciate and honor the dedication and invaluable role of the teachers in shaping the lives of the young generation.

The celebration began with stirring speeches by the Center Director, Mrs. Taha, and then by the JCC Director, Mrs. Haddad, who recognized the teachers for their unwavering commitment and dedication to their profession.

The brunch was a heartwarming event that acknowledged and celebrated their hard work and reminded them of the significance of their role in shaping the future of the young generation.

Dbayeh Center Christmas Recital (Dec 2022)

Dbayeh Center held their annual Christmas Recital in the St. George Church & conducted by Mr. Dory Cherro & Mr. Robert Al Assaad.

Dbayeh Center Christmas entertainment day (Dec 2022)

The Dbayeh Center and Little Sisters of Nazareth organized a Christmas entertainment day full of activities & gifts distribution for the children of the camp.

Sabra Center Christmas (Dec 2022)

Santa visiting the Sabra Center and celebrating Christmas with the nursery children

Dbayeh Center ladies’ handiwork session (Dec 2022)