Centers
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RASHADIEH CENTER
Location:
Rashidieh camp is located on the South West Lebanese coastline, 7 Km away from the city of Tyre, 80 Km from the capital Beirut and 23 Km from North Palestine the closest camp to Galilee villages. The camp is surrounded by plantations and citrus groves. One of the entrances to the camp is guarded entrance guarded by a Lebanese army check point.
History:
The history of Rashidieh dates back to the year 1936, when it was established to receive a number of Armenian families during the French Mandate of Lebanon. After the Lebanese independence in 1943 those families were moved to Beirut, to its Northern suburb of Bourj Hammoud. However, some families stayed and shared the camp with the Palestinian families who took refuge in Rashidieh during the exodus of 1948, but many of the original families fled due to the continuous Israeli bombardment of the camp. At that time the camp was divided into two sections, referred to by the locals as the ‘old’ and ‘new’ camp. The ‘new’ camp was established in 1963, families evacuated form Ghoro Barracks in Baalbek were placed, in addition to some families brought from an area near El-Buss due to an archeological excavation in that area.
Camp Conditions
Socio-Economic Situation:
The camp population is approximately 14,495 inhabitants according to a census carried by the Popular Committee of the camp. According to UNRWA statistics the figure is 25,745. Such difference is found in all camps due to the continuous displacement during the war or economic reasons in addition to high rate of emigration to western countries. This figure is also inaccurate due to the many deaths of inhabitants which occurred as a result of the war and have not been accurately documented. During the 1982 Israeli invasion to Lebanon a great part of the camp was destroyed and many families who fled didn't return. The most pressing problem the camp faces is its high unemployment rate. The difficult financial situation of many families forces a lot of students to leave schools to provide additional income for their families.
Beit Atfal Assumoud Center:
The center commenced its activities in the year 1987, inside a rented house. In 1994 a new building was constructed and the center relocated there. However due to the additional programs, mainly those provided for the children and youth, a new building was erected through financial support from The Japanese Committee for the Children of Palestine, NORWAC from Norway and Fluchtlingskinder im Libanon from Germany.
Services:
The center provides the following services for orphaned children and others from families categorized as hardship cases:
• A Sponsorship program for a number of 132 children from 83 families.
• A Kindergarten that provides early development education for 3-6 year olds.
• A dental clinic, which offers its services to KG aged children in addition to the centre staff; oral hygiene awareness is also a primary function of the clinic for both children and parents.
• Vocational Training for youth in areas such as graphic design, computer skills.
• Embroidery program for women whereby they have the opportunity to sell what the produce.
• Cultural and recreational activities for children and youth.
• A special cultural exchange project with Norway focusing on music and drawing.
• Summer camps with participants from different countries.
• A library and the publishing of Ajial magazine.
• Scouts groups and sports teams.
• Remedial classes.
• Meetings and activities for mothers.