Relief Fund For Lebanon

Dear Family and Friends,

"There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children." --Nelson Mandela

Lebanon's cries for help have reached all corners of the earth as they've endured a catastrophic explosion that has only compounded the existing COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis. We have seen the pictures, watched the videos, and listened to their pleas for help. We, as children of Lebanese heritage, cannot continue to passively watch as our families and loved ones suffer great destruction, despair, and uncertainty. 

Many worthy organizations are raising funds for medical relief and to support the Lebanon Red Cross. 

Our campaign's purpose is to meet specific needs for the 2021 senior class of Youssef Amro High School in Kesarwan, Lebanon, about 17 miles north of Beirut. We personally know these students: Aya, Yasmina, Sahar, Nancy, Fatima, and Jaafar are a few of 50 seniors. Like us, they have studied hard and anticipate graduating from high school. However, with the recent crisis, there is great possibility that they may not graduate due to a lack of resources. Many are mourning the loss of their loved ones and the survivors face great obstacles, including loss of their home, loss of parents' jobs in Beirut, and shortages of food, water and healthcare.

We are here to ask if you would walk alongside us as we virtually join hands with Aya and her 2021 senior class to support and cheer them on to the finish line. We invite you to donate (even $1 will make a big impact) towards school books, school supplies, and if possible, a heater for their classroom. No amount is too little and always greatly appreciated.

Blessings,

Zane and Jude Haidar

FAQ: How will the money be used?

 We are in direct contact and collaboration with the Youssef Amro High School Director and a lead parent, who has been serving on the front lines as a nurse assistant fighting COVID-19.  We have calculated the costs of school books/supplies to be approximately $60/student with a total of 50 students. Being able to provide the school supplies would be generous enough. However, if we could raise enough for a classroom heater to warm the snowy winter days, the students would greatly appreciate that.

FAQ: Where is this school?

Youssef Amro High School is located in Kesarwan, Lebanon, about 17 miles north of Beirut. This is their school website: https://moaisra.org 

FAQ: Who are we?

We are brothers, Zane and Jude Haidar, who live in San Jose, California. Zane is a high school senior, a graduate candidate for the class of 2021. Jude is a high school sophomore, graduating class of 2023. We have traveled to Lebanon, my father's home country, and where all of his side of the family still reside. While we live in the United States, our hearts are very much at home in Lebanon. Many who know us are familiar with other fundraisers we've done, including collecting over-the-counter supplies for an orphanage in Laguna, Philippines, as well as teaming up with World Vision to provide essential help and supplies for Syrian Refugees. Most recently, we've actively supported and collected supplies for essential workers. Here's a short video we compiled: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWvij5AKiGw&t=15s&fbclid=IwAR3IXFoq_Z0Rk8U6Y_jLFa0l5y9JbsVKABfSR6vorKRzuOOuaYHg9Cgz_oI

Our cousin is Aya, a student at Youssef Amro High School, and class of 2021. We have seen and heard the struggles that she and her classmates face even before this Beirut explosion. With the economic collapse of Lebanon's government to COVID-19, families struggled to put food on the table. This explosion has compounded these issues exponentially. While Aya and her friends should be looking forward to finishing up their final year in high school, instead, many will be burying loved ones, trying to find work to support the loss of parental income, and simply facing a very harsh reality.