Foyer/Home

Tenderness as a Refuge: The Work of the Saint-Zacharie Association

Tenderness as a Refuge: The Work of the Saint-Zacharie Association 1920 2560 Catherine Fugere

Beyond the mountains that surround it, the Saint-Zacharie Association shelters a home where gentleness and dignity regain their rightful place. Every child who arrives crosses the threshold of a refuge where both the wounds of the heart and those of daily life are tended to. At the center of this human warmth are Randa and Kafa, two women whose comforting presence transforms the children’s lives day after day. Their commitment—filled with love and compassion—gives this place its true soul: that of a home where one finally feels safe.

“The Saint-Zacharie Association offers a true haven of peace nestled in the heart of the mountains, where children find refuge, serenity, and human warmth. Randa and Kafa, the house mothers, embody generosity and dedication. Their immense hearts and constant attention turn every moment into a reassuring embrace. They watch over the children with maternal tenderness, as if they were their own. Their welcome, filled with gentleness and kindness, leaves an imprint of tenderness on the heart of everyone who visits.” — Diana

A heartfelt thank you to Diana for the beautiful photos and for taking the time to visit the Association during her stay in Lebanon with her family.

Update from Mgr. Melki – September 2025

Update from Mgr. Melki – September 2025 2560 1707 Catherine Fugere

Dear friends and benefactors of the Saint-Zacharie Association,

Peace in Our Lord Jesus Christ,

I look back on the last two years of activities of our Association, 2023–2024 and 2024–2025. As in the past, we have continued to welcome underprivileged children in our Home in Harissa, Lebanon, and to extend a helping hand to families in need—all in harmony with the mission of the Association.

In addition, we have continued our renovation work on the house by restoring and painting doors and walls. We also installed solar panels to help overcome the shortage of electricity.

Two other major projects were completed: we built a playground for the children, a space of 90 m², and a parking lot for five cars.

All these projects came to life thanks to your generosity and your unwavering support. May the Lord reward you with health, prosperity, and all that your good heart desires.

As I am currently in Laval, I wish to express my strong desire to meet those of you who live in Canada.

Sincerely,

Mgr. Melki

Evening in Laval: A Memorable Gathering for the Saint-Zacharie Association.

Evening in Laval: A Memorable Gathering for the Saint-Zacharie Association. 1920 1080 Catherine Fugere

The evening held in Laval will remain engraved in our memories as a moment of camaraderie and sharing, but above all, as an opportunity to celebrate the significant advancements made by the Saint-Zacharie Association. Bringing together members, volunteers, partners, and friends of the association, this event was the perfect occasion to highlight the progress made in improving the living conditions of the youth and the renovations undertaken to modernize our home.

The Saint-Zacharie Association has long been committed to enhancing the well-being of the young people in our community. Through various initiatives and unwavering dedication, we have witnessed concrete and positive changes in the lives of many young individuals. This evening provided an opportunity to reflect on these achievements and celebrate the successes, both big and small, that have been accomplished through the collective effort of all members of our association.

The renovations undertaken to modernize our home were also at the heart of the discussions. Thanks to the generous support of our donors and the commitment of our team, we have made significant progress in this project. These renovations are crucial to ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for the youth we accommodate, and they reflect our ongoing commitment to providing the best possible conditions for their development.

On this occasion, we want to express our deep gratitude to all those who contributed directly or indirectly to the success of this evening and to our projects in general. Every gesture, every donation, every volunteer hour counts and makes a real difference in our ability to fulfill our mission. Together, we are stronger, and together, we can continue to make a real difference in the lives of the young people in our community.

We are grateful for the unwavering support we receive and look forward to continuing our work with determination and passion. Thank you all for your commitment and generosity.

Members of the Saint-Zacharie Association

Celebrations to Give Back to Children

Celebrations to Give Back to Children 1920 1080 Catherine Fugere

The Saint-Zacharie Association is an organization dedicated to bringing hope, love, and support to underprivileged children in Lebanon. Our raison d’être is rooted in the belief that every child deserves to grow up in a nurturing and stimulating environment, despite the challenges they may face.

During the holiday season, our commitment to the well-being of children takes on a special dimension. We firmly believe in the magic of Christmas and the importance of creating warm memories for the young minds that shape our future.

In this spirit, we have orchestrated a series of special events for the children in our association. Throughout the month of December, community groups, individual benefactors, and our own youth committee “Seeds of Hope” have joined forces to bring moments of joy and abundance to the cherished children.

December 6

The Ave Maria Group organized a generous dinner on December 6, including pastries and juices, to brighten the children’s daily lives.

December 8
The Orthodox Youth Movement visited the Home on December 8, bringing joy to the children by offering them sports attire, balloons, and cakes. Ils ont apporté de la joie aux enfants en leur offrant des habits de sport, des ballons et des gâteaux.

December 9

The Notre-Dame-de-Louaizeh Guides Group paid a visit on December 9 to share special moments with the children and offer them delicious cakes.

December 14

Mr. Joseph el-Adem showed generosity by providing cakes and a CD to each child at the Home on December 14.

December 15

The Marial Apostolic Movement shared sweetness by offering cakes on December 15, creating special moments for the children.

December 16

On Saturday, December 16, the Seeds of Hope youth committee organized a special event at the Harissa Home to celebrate the approaching Christmas. Santa Claus was present to distribute gifts, and the children participated in fun games. The event brought together 40 people from the family, adults, and children, in a warm and festive atmosphere.

December 17

The DLux Group showed generosity on December 17 by offering clothes and shoes to the children at the Home.

On the same day, the Youth Group of the Virgin of Aintoura/El-Mate also made a contribution by providing gloves and socks to the children.

In conclusion, these celebrations filled with generosity and sharing brought a special light to the Saint-Zacharie Association in Lebanon. Through these privileged moments during the holiday season, we have collectively created memories that will remain engraved in the hearts of the children we cherish. The altruistic gestures of the various groups and individuals involved have not only brightened the faces of the young ones but also strengthened our commitment to the association’s fundamental mission. By continuing to unite our efforts, we aspire to write new chapters of hope and happiness for these children, offering them the promise of a brighter future. Thank you to all who contributed to making this festive period truly magical. Together, we are building a future infused with compassion and love.

Article template – Test #1

Article template – Test #1 1920 1080 j8p43

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

1• LOREM IPSUM DOLOR

Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?

2• SIT AMET CONSECTUR

Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem.

Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?