Fratelli Project: A Shared Mission in Lebanon and Colombia, Being A Good Samaritan
From the outskirts of Beirut and Saida in Lebanon to Maicao in Colombia, our Fratelli Projects reflect the Lasallian commitment to education, dignity, and inclusion for vulnerable children and youth. The projects support refugee families fleeing war and persecution by offering personalized educational programs, vocational training for youth and mothers, and specialized care for new mothers and infants. It ensures children’s right to education, focusing on improving girls’ access and empowering young women through targeted training programs. The Fratelli Project, led by the Lasallian and Marist Brothers, continues to bring hope, opportunity, and community where needed most.
Since the outbreak of war in Syria in 2011, millions have fled their homes seeking safety. Lebanon, a country already facing fragile infrastructure and economic instability, has taken in over 1.5 million refugees, placing more pressure on its social systems. In this challenging situation, many refugee families are still dealing with poverty, trauma, and an uncertain future.
In Lebanon, Fratelli Project ensures that children and their families have a future.
Lebanon’s already fragile structure makes it even more difficult for the refugees. Public schools, hospitals, electricity, and basic utilities have struggled to cope. One-third of the families we serve live in abandoned buildings, and thousands of families in Syria live in overcrowded homes with inadequate sanitation and poor infrastructure. The continuous threat of eviction is immense, along with the incidents of violence, especially against women and children, early marriages, child labor, and lack of education.
The Fratelli Project offers socio-educational support to the most vulnerable, providing early childhood education and development, basic literacy and numeracy, youth empowerment, nutrition support and response to basic needs, and programs for mothers and children, a pathway to the Lebanese public education system.
In the largest refugee camp in Colombia, “La Pista,” thousands of Venezuelan refugees find shelter in the hope of a better future. Many fled Venezuela due to poverty, a lack of opportunities, and threats to safety. The Fratelli Project in Maicao has the core objective of strengthening food security, offering psycho-emotional support, and fostering social inclusion.
Fratelli’s aims to improve access to basic needs and education and create opportunities for social and educational inclusion for children and youth. Fratelli staff also pay special attention to expanding educational access for girls and providing vocational training opportunities for young women.
The global refugee and migration challenge we face is daunting. Together, we look to improve the lives and situations of these vulnerable children and families. We hope you will join other Lasallians in supporting these special projects.