Lebanon: Armenian Evangelical Social Centre

Armenian Evangelical Social Centre School

Location: Beirut, Lebanon Principal: Vera Sevadjian Founded: 1936 How it all started The Armenian Evangelical Social Centre School was built in 1936, in a poor area in East Beirut named Trad District. It was originally a refugee camp for the Armenians escaping from Turkey because of the massacres in 1915 and 1922. A missionary named Miss Elizabeth Webb had the vision to found a school specifically for the poorest children, who, because of their desperate situation were left without an education. She began by teaching children to read and write and need for more formal education was recognised, the centre gradually developed. By 1948 the school had all the classes it still has today. Current activities About 100 children, between the ages of 4-10 years attend the school. When they leave the school, many of them go on to other Armenian Evangelical schools in Beirut, which are also supported by BibleLands, and so the support given to a child often continues. The school follows the usual Lebanese government curriculum, with the addition of Armenian and English languages, as well as Arabic, and the students learn to write in all three scripts. There are also lessons in Armenian history and culture, as their roots are very important to the Armenian people. Thanks to recent BibleLands’ grants, the school has a computer lab and has been able to refurbish its library. The school shares its building with the social centre, which is available for the children after school hours, where they can study and receive help. The social centre also reaches the children through spiritual and social activities. As well as providing an education, the school gives each child a daily, nutritious meal, often the main meal of the day for the children. Trusting God, and through the financial support of its sponsors, the Armenian Evangelical Social Centre continues its mission of serving the poorest classes of the Armenian community. BibleLands has supported this school since its earliest beginnings, and continues to provide assistance in such a needy area.