Seminary provides practical support for children displaced by war in Lebanon

For the past few months, eight-year-old Grace has been staying with dozens of other displaced children and their families at Thimar’s Arab Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS). When war erupted in Lebanon in March, she and her family fled their coastal home near the southern city of Tyre. It was the second time Grace had been displaced in less than two years. 

Leaving behind her art collection, toys, and everything else she cherished, her family arrived at ABTS, which opened its doors to around 200 people who were similarly forced to flee their homes because of bombings and evacuation orders. Nearly three months later, they remain at ABTS.

At the height of the war, more than 300,000 children were among the 1.2 million people displaced.

At the height of the war, more than 300,000 children were among the 1.2 million people displaced. Amid ongoing fighting in violation of a ceasefire agreement and an Israeli occupation in southern Lebanon, at least 130,000 people remain displaced across the country.

Activities that help the children express what they are feeling. 

Grace and her family don’t know when or if they will ever be able to return home. Grace is not the only child at ABTS facing these circumstances. More than 50 other children at ABTS from across Lebanon have been similarly affected. Recognizing the need to support them, Thimar’s "Salt and Light" children and youth ministry organized programs that include worship, Bible stories, crafts, games, songs, conversations, and other activities that help the children express what they are feeling. 

“The big theme is emotions and feelings,” shared Maribelle Milan, the coordinator of the program, “and that God is with us through them all.” 

This became the main focus of the gatherings: helping the children name what they are feeling, understanding that these feelings are normal, learning Bible stories about people who experienced similar feelings, and remembering that God is with them in every emotion whether they feel happy, sad, afraid, stressed, or confused just like he was with the characters from the Bible. 

The impact of war on children 

The war has profoundly impacted the children at ABTS in different ways. 

During the initial days of the conflict, Salt & Light team members noticed that a boy from southern Lebanon was particularly affected. Throughout the programs, his hands would shake. Whenever he heard the sound of airstrikes on Beirut, he ran crying to his mother. 

Arts and crafts activities... revealed the distress that children experienced.

Arts and crafts activities also revealed the distress that children experienced. Maribelle asked the children to draw their happy place. Yet one child drew a rocket. When Maribelle asked him about it, he said, “They bombed my happy place; my house.”

Supporting children through hardship 

Lessons... taught them how to understand and express their feelings.

When Salt & Light started the program, many of the children did not share much. But things started to change as they interacted more with each other and the ministry team. They began to share more details during lessons that taught them how to understand and express their feelings. Some said they were stressed because everything around them was new. Others spoke about missing their homes and pets and wanting the war to end. 

Through these programs, children built close relationships. During the first few days of the program, the children were shy around each other. They participated in a reserved manner. However, as they got to know one another and hear each other’s stories, they started to form friendships.

After the sessions, they played together in the playground on ABTS’ campus. As the bond between them strengthened, they told each other about their homes and made future plans for house visits.

“Family is where home is.” 

In time, ABTS came to be a safe space for children like Grace. Displacement changed her perception of home. She now sees home as a place where her family is together and safe. “Family is where home is”, she said. 

ABTS had become... a place safe from bombings and war. 

During one of the arts and crafts sessions, eight-year-old Zahraa looked at the blank 4×4 canvas and began to draw a building, with trees on the side and swings on the right. “It’s ABTS, the place where we’ve come to stay safe, and happy too!” she said, her blue eyes glistening. Though she missed home, she didn’t want to return. ABTS had become her haven, a place safe from bombings and war. 

The Salt & Light team witnessed the impact of the program during other moments as well. 

During one session, a girl kept crying until her friend came over and reminded her of what they had learned in the program. “Do you remember what we should do?” her friend asked. “Smell the rose, then blow out the candle.” 

The girl started to breathe. Then, her friend asked her to think of five things she was grateful for, something that gives her peace, and a food she likes. After a while, the girl calmed down and stopped crying. 

The children were not only hearing the lessons. They were using what they learned.

Such examples showed the Salt & Light team that the children were not only hearing the lessons. They were using what they learned in real moments of sadness and stress. 

Continuing to serve 

After a ceasefire agreement was announced in mid-April, some of the children returned home. But around 20 others were unable to, either because ongoing clashes meant going back was unsafe or because their homes had been damaged or destroyed. 

The children now come earlier than before. 

For the children still remaining, Salt & Light’s program has become something they eagerly look forward to. Maribelle shared that the children now come earlier than before. 

“Yesterday they came at 9:30, and the meeting was at 10,” she said. “They always come earlier now. Before, they used to come five or ten minutes early. Now they just come early and hang out with each other. When they see us, they start calling each other, ‘Come on, come here, the teacher is here.’ They start talking and joking with us.” 

Originally published as a THIMAR-LSESD blog. Republished with permission.

Simona El Haddad is the Communications Coordinator for THIMAR-LSESD.
Nayiri Darakjian is Partner Relations Coordinator for THIMAR-LSESD.