Bhersaf

SOS Children’s Villages supports individual children, young people and families so that they can thrive (photo: SOS Children’s Villages in Lebanon).

Bhersaf is a village in Mount Lebanon and home to less than 2,000 people. The village is located near the small town of Bikfaya, with 20,000 inhabitants, and around 30 km from Lebanon’s capital, Beirut. Around 40% of Lebanon’s population resides in Mount Lebanon. Lebanon is also home to a large number of refugees, who often live in overcrowded camps and informal settlements. Access to services, such as health and education are becoming strained as the number of people arriving increase, and children face insecurity.

Since 1969, SOS Children’s Villages has been supporting children, young people and families and advocating for their rights in Bhersaf.

4 in 5
Households live in poverty

Families borrow money to buy food

Experiencing the highest rate of inflation and rising prices of basic goods, 84% of households do not have enough money to cover necessities. Since 2020, food prices have soared by 570% resulting in at least 23% of children going to bed hungry. The situation is so bad that 70% of households need to borrow money to buy food, while some are forced to sell their furniture to feed families. Children are disproportionately affected to the effects of poverty. They face long-term consequences for their life as adults, in terms of educational outcomes, physical and intellectual development, and psychological health.

1 in 10
Children are sent to work

Lack of education

With the country in economic crisis, at least 1 in 10 children are sent to work, and 15% of families are stoping their children’s education altogether. More than 700,000 children are at risk of never returning to a classroom due to rising poverty. Balancing work and school has a negative impact on educational attainment, either resulting in under- performance or children dropping out early. Child labour further robs children of their childhood. It deprives them of their right to education, exposes them to violence and physical and mental harm, and traps them in intergenerational poverty.

Your support makes a difference for children in Bhersaf

SOS Children’s Villages works with local partners and communities to offer a wide range of support that is adapted to the local context. We always work in the best interest of the children, young people and families.
30
Children and young people
Grow up in our care
1,140
Emergency services
Were provided
Siblings grow up together, and often form bonds that last a lifetime (photo: SOS Children’s Villages in Lebanon).

How your support helps in Bhersaf

Protecting children in emergencies
In times of conflict and natural disasters, we respond to the urgent needs of children and families. In emergencies, SOS Children’s Villages focuses on keeping families together, and provide practical, psychological and medical support. If children are separated from their families, we look after them and work to reunite them. We also provide immediate practical assistance. For example, we create child-friendly spaces where children are cared for.
Caring for children who cannot live with their families
Some children cannot stay with their families, even with additional support. When this happens, they can find a new home in SOS Children’s Villages. Here the children can build safe and lasting relationships. All the children in our care have access to education and healthcare. Wherever possible, we work closely with the children’s family of origin. If children can return to live with their families, we help them adapt to this change.