Dear All, 

My name is Enda Nevin. I am currently living in Beirut, Lebanon.

I am going to run the Beirut Marathon on the 13th November, 2016 to try and raise funds for a small community centre in the East of the country in an area known as the Bekaa Valley, close to the Syrian Border. The Syrian crisis has had a disproportionately large effect on Lebanon.

It is bearing one of the heaviest burdens of the crisis, as civilians fled out of Syria for safety. Since the start of the war, approximately 1.5 million refugees have crossed the border which the two nations share. Before the conflict, the population of Lebanon was about 4.5 million; in just 5 years, it has ballooned and now roughly 25 percent of the overall population of the country is actually made up of displaced Syrians. The challenges posed by the huge population influx are many, and the obstacles for the Lebanese government and the international community can seem insurmountable. 

I have seen first hand the hardships which must be endured in these temporary settlements, which are becoming more and more permanent as the Syrian crisis continues. Access to the most basic of needs is restricted and the living conditions are extremely difficult. The Bekaa Vallley is hot and dusty during the summer and cold and inhospitable during the winter. 

Syrian Eyes is a local organisation which is run by Syrian volunteers. They mainly run projects in the Bekaa Valley and are currently renovating a small community centre which will cater to the needs of approximately 40 youth between the ages of 12 and 16 from one of the small tented settlements in the town of Al Marj in the Bekaa The community centre will provide a safe space to for youth to meet, learn Arabic and English in a area where these youth have no access to formal education. The community centre will also provide hygiene awareness sessions to both adults and children.

The money will be used quite simply to contribute to the rent and running costs of the centre. 

Syrian Eyes work exclusively in the informal tented settlements in Lebanon. Take a look at one of their videos to see the living conditions in the camp. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sSBCgzTxz4

ALSO CHECK OUT THEIR WEBSITE AND FACEBOOK PAGE

Syrian Eyes Facebook Page

Syrian Eyes Website

Every cent raised will go directly to the centre. 

If you cant donate, perhaps just share. the website will make a donation for every 100 shares. Any help would be greatly appreciated by Syrian Eyes, myself and the youth in the camp.