Centers
FEATURING niScvt CentersS
MAR ELIAS CENTER
Location:
Mar Elias camp is located within Beirut city between Watta Musitbeh and UNESCO Palace, situated on a small piece of land, 1. 5 square km donated by the Roman Orthodox church.
History:
The camp was established in 1956; its population of 1,500 inhabitants was a mixture of Christian and Muslim families whom fled Palestine in 1948. During the Lebanese civil war many families left the camp and were replaced by families who came from Tal El-Zaatar camp and other areas in East Beirut
Camp Conditions
Socio-Economic Conditions:
Mar Elias camp is considered the second smallest camp in Lebanon. Similar to other camps, the living conditions are difficult, unemployment is very high, and water and electricity problems are constant issues that need to be addressed. While patients with chronic diseases are in dire need of medical support, which is not being provided by UNRWA services.
Beit Atfal Assumoud Center:
The social/cultural center inside Mar Elias was established in 1987 to support families living inside the camp and in areas scattered in different parts of Beirut mainly those displaced during the civil war and expanded to reach out for those living on the coastal road to Saida and the surrounding hills. The center's ground floor serves as a guest house for visitors who prefer to stay inside the camp, it can accommodate four people. The first floor has a room for the administration and another one for the embroidery staff in addition to a small hall for activities. The second floor has a large hall specialized for training activities and workshops for all centers and also available, upon request, for other NGOs. Recently another side room was converted into a studio for photography and video training.
Services:
The center provides the following services for orphaned children and others from families categorized as hardship cases:
• Art activities and handicraft
• Picnics for the children and mothers
• Exhibitions
• Remedial classes for some students
• Training on embroidery skills
• Ramadan dinners