Established in 1949, the Palestinian refugee camp of Nahr al-Bared in north Lebanon was home to more than 30,000 residents. In the summer of 2007, the camp was totally destroyed leaving over 20,000 homeless, some for the third time in their lives.  The vast majority of the population still have not recovered their livelihoods that were destroyed by the war, leaving many families struggling to meet basic needs for their children.

Too often we forget that the plight of the Palestinian’s is not only in the West Bank and Gaza, but very importantly in the refugee camps in Lebanon where living a life with dignity is often times elusive. Many families who lost their homes over two and a half years ago still live in “barracks”, airless prefabricated 18 square metre steel units that consists of the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen all in one container.  Cockroaches scuttle across the cracks in the wooden floor and the smell of sewage seeps from the flooring.

As the winter approaches, with snow capped mountains in the distance, most of the children run through the muddy passage ways in the camp wearing only socks and plastic slippers.  Last year, Kinder USA chairwoman Dr. Laila Al-Marayati and Kinder’s Executive Director distributed 2700 coats to the children and this November returned to distribute shoes.  Over 2,400 children aged 7-12 were able to shop for shoes from distribution centers just in time for Eid!  Not only were the children pleased, but the mothers found comfort in knowing their child can run freely without risk of injury or illness due to lack of shoes. 

Kinder USA is asking that you donate what you can to contribute to the cost of this greatly needed project.  The smile on these children’s faces says it all.

“We are all responsible for the well-being of these children.  Our humanity calls upon us to do what it takes to care for them.  The forgotten children of Nahr El Bared deserve what many around the world take for granted: their basic rights," said Dr. Laila Al-Marayati.