Harnessing the Sun to Bring Light to Cedar Home
As a result of ongoing conflict in the region dating back before the 1940s, Lebanon has been a place of refuge for millions of refugees, most recently from Syria and Iraq. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) estimates there are two million Syrian refugees in Lebanon, a third of the country’s total population. Close to 150,000 children are trapped in different forms of child labour, many of whom are females. Christian organizations such as Cedar Home remain the only solution available to combat the problems of poverty, infant abandonment, child trafficking, children being forced to live on the streets, and child marriages.
Cedar Home is a Christian home for abandoned newborns; as well as orphaned and disadvantaged Syrian, Palestinian, and Iraqi refugees; and stateless girls in Lebanon. The Home provides spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, and social supports so that these girls can fulfill their highest potential, preparing them to enter society, the workplace, and relationships as mature, independent individuals.
During the time children and youth spend at the home, there are several goals that the missionaries and staff working towards:
- The provision of formal academic education through the public school system to prepare a future generation of women empowered to influence their communities and the nation through knowledge and Christian faith
- To equip the girls with real life skills coupled with practical discipleship as they are encouraged to live their faith courageously
The Lebanese national power supply is essentially non-existent. Like the rest of the country, Cedar Home has transitioned to operating on generator power. Not only does it cost approximately $2,000 every month to keep the lights on, but the reliance on gas adds to air pollution and leaves the home vulnerable to gas prices and supply shortages. Power is a crucial part of the ministry at the home, not only for operating appliances, lights, technology, and other electrical equipment, but also for the building’s security and safety systems.
Lebanon enjoys 11 months of sunshine every year, making it a perfect place for solar power projects. The Cedar Home campus also has ample unobstructed rooftop space which would enable solar panels to absorb light from 6:00am to 7:00pm each day.
Funds raised through FAIR’s Journey with a Child special appeal will go towards the purchase and installation of solar panels at the Cedar Home campus. This investment in the building will help save over $24,000 each year and create a sustainable power source not dependent on external resources, making life for the girls and staff easier and more predictable.
You can invest in the stability and security of life at Cedar Home today by making a donation to Journey with a Child today.