United for education: a beacon of hope and collaboration

In 2022, a visionary partnership began with a shared ambition to bring quality education to vulnerable children in North Lebanon. World Vision Lebanon contributed its vast expertise and educational resources, while Hadatha, a local organisation in Lebanon, built on its deep-rooted knowledge and esteemed reputation in the area. Together, they embarked on a mission, choosing Unlock Literacy, a project model by World Vision, and reading clubs as tools to meet the community needs.

Overcoming challenges together

Hadatha was striving to make a difference in the lives of children through education. However, they faced challenges due to limited resources and reach, despite their passion and dedication.  However, World Vision Lebanon, with its global presence, complemented the efforts and final goal by recognising the potential for a powerful collaboration.

"The primary challenge for this project was its location. It was the first time that Hadatha and World Vision Lebanon worked in the village of Wadi Khaled, in the north of Lebanon. “Choosing this area was really challenging due to the risks and sensitivities involved on the northeaster borders with Syria, but given the educational needs  of the children in this village, we couldn’t say no,” says Roula, project manager at Hadatha."

“The journey wasn’t without its hurdles, However both Hadatha and World Vision Lebanon a shared belief in the power of education, which helped overcome these challenges,” emphasises Georges Abi Saad, World Vision Lebanon’s project coordinator.

Achievements and impact

"We started this project in 2022 with three Unlock Literacy centers in the north of Lebanon. Now, we have six centers, divided between three Unlock Literacy centers and three reading clubs in the second phase of the project. This is a remarkable achievement and a sign that the project is growing. Additionally, we discovered that parents needed positive parenting sessions for 225 caregivers, so we began offering these in two areas, and the parents are very active and involved," expresses Roula. "The results have been remarkable. Within a year, literacy rates among children soared, school attendance increased, and the dropout rate plummeted," Roula adds.

"World Vision Lebanon organised capacity-building workshops and trained local teachers, which was a highlight for us at Hadatha and the key to kick-starting this project," continues Roula. George speaks of the strong communication between the two organisations. “Hadatha has excellent field access, very high-quality control, and a well-known reputation. They are always ready to consider feedback, and all these factors contributed to the continuity of the second year with Hadatha, supporting 450 children,"

The success of the partnership is proof that when resources and capacities are combined between international and local organisations, the impact on education can be profound. The story of this partnership is not just one of achievements in numbers but a testament to the power of unity in pursuit of a common goal: educating the next generation. Today, the partnership continues to thrive, with plans to expand the project and inspire others to join hands to ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn and grow.

This story is a beacon of hope, demonstrating that when the world comes together for education, the future is bright for children everywhere.