Johann Ludwig Schneller School

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More Information:
Founded: 1952

Director:  The Revd George Haddad

Beginnings:
The history of the School goes back to 1860, when persecution against Christians broke out in Lebanon. A German Pastor named Johann Ludwig Schneller took ten orphans from Lebanon and Syria to his home in Jerusalem. His son and grandson continued the work until 1948, when the property was confiscated by the Israeli army. The orphanage then moved to Lebanon and in 1952 to the School’s current location in the Bekaa Valley.

Activities:

• The School
  The children learn the Lebanese curriculum in Arabic. English and German are introduced early. Each year, up to 200 children apply for admission to the School. While the School is open to children of all faiths, it has its own chapel and chaplain, and holds morning assemblies and Sunday school for all its boarders.
  
  
• Vocational training
  In their last two years at the School, students choose between continuing their academic studies or vocational training, where they learn skills such as carpentry, mechanics and plumbing.
  
  
• The Boy’s Home
  About 170 boys, aged between 5 and 18, grow up together in eight ‘families’.
  
  
• The Girls’ Boarding Section
  Girls were accepted as boarders in 2003, thanks to a BibleLands' grant, allowing them access to education for the first time.