The French Embassy in Lebanon’s initiative to support the Antonine Sisters’ Notre-Dame du Liban School in Rmeish, South Lebanon, with a remedial summer program is commendable. This initiative is especially notable given that students have missed nearly a year of education due to the closure of schools in the border region and the shift to distance learning, stemming from the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
The French Institute (ISF-Liban-Sud) in Saïda, in collaboration with the CMA-CGM Foundation and the municipality of Rmeish, is working to bring hope and education to children affected by this conflict. This unique partnership, co-financed by the Institut français du Liban and the CMA CGM Foundation, underscores their shared commitment to delivering quality education and fostering academic success despite the challenges.
Helping Children Return to School
The Institut français du Liban announced that the Notre-Dame du Liban School in Rmeish will launch a remedial program from August 19 to September 12, 2024. This program will serve 350 students from kindergarten through secondary school. The initiative aims to help these children reconnect with their education in preparation for the upcoming academic year, following an extended closure of schools in South Lebanon during the 2023-2024 school year.
The program will offer nearly a month of intensive instruction in essential subjects, including Arabic, French, mathematics, and science, with classes conducted by qualified teachers.
“This project aligns perfectly with the mission of the Institut français du Liban, which is dedicated to supporting high-quality, accessible French-language education throughout Lebanon, grounded in its rich multilingualism. We are proud to collaborate with the CMA CGM Foundation to help the students of Rmeish return to their studies,” said Sabine Sciortino, Director of the Institut français du Liban.
The CMA-CGM Foundation echoed this sentiment in a Facebook post on August 29, 2024, highlighting that the partnership between the Institut français du Liban and the CMA-CGM Foundation “demonstrates our joint commitment to ensuring quality education is accessible to all.”
Restoring Hope for the Future
In a heartfelt “letter of thanks” posted on Facebook, the president and members of the parents’ committee of the Notre-Dame du Liban School in Rmeish expressed their profound gratitude to the French Embassy and the CMA CGM Foundation for funding the summer school project. They also extended their thanks to Sister Rita Eid, the Mother Superior of the convent, for her warm welcome and significant contribution to the project’s success, as well as to Rmeish Mayor Milad el-Alam for his role as coordinator among the involved parties.
“This project has arrived at a crucial moment, offering both academic and psychological support to help compensate for the educational losses our students have experienced. We believe this generous initiative will be a lasting memory for the students and their families and will mark a positive step in their educational journey and future,” the letter stated.
In response, the school’s management expressed their appreciation on social media, noting that “the school warmly welcomed the students and enhanced their joy by distributing school supplies donated by the French Embassy, thanks to the mayor’s initiative. This gesture brought smiles to their faces…”
The Rmeish village Facebook account also reflected on the touching scene of children returning full of hope, reconnecting with friends and teachers. “Their return to school symbolizes stability and hope for a better future,” the post concluded.
