Youmna Hassanein, Innovation Intern
Loubnaniyoun Empowers Lebanon's Future
In Lebanon, a national economic crisis has cast a daunting shadow, pushing 700,000 children out of school, leaving their dreams in jeopardy. Amidst constant disruptions, teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, financial constraints, and limited resources, the promise of a good future through public schools in Lebanon now stands compromised. In Jezzine, two semi-private schools are at risk of closure, putting over 3,700 students at risk of being deprived of education. Amidst these challenges, a beacon of hope emerged — the transformative ‘Minhati’ project. Minhati, an initiative spearheaded by Loubnaniyoun, raises essential funds for students across all educational levels in these at-risk schools, providing vital need-based financial aid.
Loubnaniyoun’s team
Unity for a Better Lebanon
Loubnaniyoun is a Lebanese organization founded in 2012 by a group of diaspora with an unwavering dedication to shaping a better future for their homeland. We met Nadine Daher, Loubnaniyoun’s president, and Joe Chaar, the organization’s operations manager. “Your country [ Lebanon] is another story’’ Nadine remarked, encapsulating the deep-seated desire of every member to make a meaningful difference in Lebanon, a country besieged by continuous challenges since 1974 — political, economic, and beyond. "If we do not help each other, we cannot stay alive; we cannot continue and make a better Lebanon for our children, a Lebanon they want to live in," she added passionately.
For a decade, Loubnaniyoun relied on the generous support of donors from the diaspora to support the Minhati project. However, as some donors faced constraints, they had to adapt to prevent the dreams of countless children slipping through their fingers.
Children at the campaign’s schools
Turning Dreams into Reality
In 2023, Loubnaniyoun joined the Tadamon Crowdfunding Academy, with the hope of turning their crowdfunding dream into reality. “We first tried crowdfunding before Tadamon but failed so many times. After joining the Academy, we achieved success, " Nadine expressed. Armed with newfound knowledge, they meticulously implemented every lesson learned during the Academy. Thanks to the knowledge they gained during the Academy, they decided to transform their website into a digital lifeline connecting their donors, mainly the diaspora, with their cause through a simple donate button.
The response was overwhelming, with over $70,000 pouring in. Yet, that was just the beginning. By implementing strategic outreach and marketing skills gained through the Academy, they shared impactful videos, re-branded their social media accounts, reached out to their contacts, and updated their website, resulting in an impressive $250,000 from 9 private donors.
Campaign´s video
This formidable support enabled Loubnaniyoun to rewrite the destinies of 1,292 children by covering their annual tuition fees. Their mission, however, extends beyond this milestone as they are driven by an unwavering determination to offer support to as many students as possible.
The students supported through the donations received
It goes beyond the alleviation of a financial burden; it paves the way to a promising future. Empowered to continue their education, these children stand at the threshold of becoming Lebanon's changemakers, the architects of the nation envisioned by Loubnaniyoun — a land brimming with possibilities and anchored in an unyielding commitment to a brighter tomorrow.
Learn more about Loubnaniyoun´s work and support them.