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FROM THE FIELD

Lebanese children share challenges with people with disabilities
29 Jan 2009 12:12:43 GMT
 Source: World Vision Middle East/Eastern Europe office (MEERO)
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Aline Chayeb, 12, encourages a 5-year-old girl born without eyes
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Aline Chayeb, 12, encourages a 5-year-old girl born without eyes
World Vision MEERO, http://meero.worldvision.org

Background

•  Lebanon crisis

•  Children

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'Don't punish me, don't judge me, don't be sad or worried, we need your talents, don't feel despair nor defeat, accept me and listen to me.'

With these lyrics, World Vision Children's Councils from three community development projects began their celebration of International Day for People with Disabilities last Saturday.

More than 130 children from different regions of the Bekaa Valley in central Lebanon and the El Buss Palestinian Refugee camp came together to learn about tolerance and acceptance.

'I had an indescribable feeling. God gave each person a talent,' said Melissa Najem, 12, 'It may be difficult to communicate with a person with a disability, but it is our duty to try. I don't know what to say, the little girl was singing 'I can see' and she was born with no eyes.'

'This is the first time I've seen a blind person or someone in a wheel chair,' said Elsa Chayeb, 11. 'I was very surprised to see a blind person playing piano.'

The day-long event aimed at changing misconceptions about people with disabilities through songs and games, and by creating an environment that encouraged children to interact with each other and learn from people with disabilities.

'It was so amazing to watch children interacting with people with a disability in a very spontaneous way, and it was touching to see them very comfortable with children's natural curiosity,' said Patricio Cuevas-Parra, World Vision Lebanon Advocacy Manager.

'People with disabilities should not feel that others are more important,' said Aline Chayeb, 12.

Through such events, World Vision's Children's Council project aims to help children develop their ability to promote diversity and tolerance, so that they influence their communities and peers.

'I didn't understand before, and I always wondered how they (people with disabilities) lived –I only felt sympathy,' said Sarah Salloukh, 11. 'Now I know that they are just like us.'


[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

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[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

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Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah is seen on a screen during a news conference held in Beirut January 29, 2009. REUTERS/Issam Kobeisy (LEBANON) ...


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Last updated:Fri Jan 30 04:57:47 2009