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Home — Association Saint-Zacharie

The children of Lebanon: stolen innocence, rediscovered hope

In the middle of an unprecedented crisis, the Home gives children a safe place to learn, play and dream again.

The Home’s study room, with rows of desks, bookshelves and arched windows.
Photo: Diana, July 2025

In the heart of Lebanon, a country renowned for its beauty, majestic mountains and sunlit beaches, lives a generation of children whose smiles have been dimmed by a harsh reality. For several years, Lebanon has been going through an unprecedented economic, political and social crisis. For many, it is not just a country in turmoil but a broken home, where children are the first victims of the collapse of vital structures.

Children who should be running freely, playing in parks and dreaming of bright futures now face a grim reality. In some regions, schools barely operate, if at all, and long power cuts plunge homes into darkness. Parents who once provided for their families now struggle to meet basic needs, making childhood synonymous with deprivation rather than joy.

It is in this context that the Saint-Zacharie Association rises as a beacon of hope. It works tirelessly to give young Lebanese children a chance to regain part of their lost innocence, welcoming children who would otherwise be left to fend for themselves.

At the Saint-Zacharie home, the focus is on education, not only as a fundamental right but as a way to resist adversity. Here, children find a safe environment, where the light of the classroom contrasts with the darkness often found outside. Thanks to volunteers and educators, they learn, play and dream again. The Association does more than meet material needs: it also works to heal emotional wounds, offering a space where every child is heard, valued and encouraged.

Every smile regained is a victory over the prevailing gloom. Every laugh echoing through the halls of the house is a promise of a better future.

The road ahead is long and the challenges are many, but with every child welcomed and every dream rekindled, a part of Lebanon is reborn. And as long as there are dedicated people who believe in these children, there will be hope for an entire nation.

To join our cause, get in touch.