In favor of improving the social conditions of the Syrian-Armenian refugees in Lebanon, the ARCL Regional Executive (REB) organized health, educational, cooking, and artisan lectures and courses which were held in Bourj Hammoud and in Ainjar.
These events were financed by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Diakonia & Social Justice Unit in Beirut and the Finn Church Aid (FCA).
Each seminar was organized by its respective committee.
The ABSMC Vartouhi Degirmendjian Kitchen committee prepared the snacks & food served during all the seminars held at the ABSMC.
Cooking Seminar at ABSMC
On Friday the 7th and Saturday the 8th of March 2014, in the Araxi Boulghourjian Socio-Medical Center (ABSMC) in Bourj Hammoud, the Vartouhi Degirmendjian Kitchen hosted a two-day Cooking Seminar.
Kitchen Committee chair Diki Torikian welcomed the attendees, gave a brief of the program, and spoke about the tough conditions that the Syrian-Armenian refugees in Lebanon are living in. Hoping everyone would gain maximum benefit from the courses, she announced the commencement of the seminar.
Shakeh Karayian and Anahid Doniguian consecutively explained the preparation processes of 7 difference meals and deserts.
Each of the attendees received the Arabic version of Anahid Doniguian’s “Modern Kitchen” cookbook, a gift from the author herself.
Health Seminar at ABSMC
On Friday the 21st and Saturday 22nd of March 2014, the ARCL Health Committee organized a two-day seminar in the “Tenjukian” hall of the ABSMC. The attendees included many Syrian-Armenian women.
Dr. Siroun Vartabedian, representative of the Health Committee, presented the aim of the seminar, referred to the collaboration of the ARCL with the MECC, and spoke about the committee’s extensive activities and the series of lectures it organizes. She presented her speech with the use of a PowerPoint slide-show and spoke in details about Substance abuse and explained how we can keep our children away from alcohol and drug abuse which have a negative impact on the addict and his community.
The lecture was conclude by a Q&A session.
The health lectures continued with very important and beneficial topics as follows:
- Lecture: Immunization - Types of Vaccines and Their Importance
Speaker: Haroutyoun Aintabelian - Lecture: Heart Attack - Blockage of Arteries and Veins - Hypertension and Diabetes
Speaker: Mariam Shatila - Lecture: Infection of the Reproductive Organs - AIDS
Speaker: Hanna Sehnaoui - Lecture: Mental Distress and Its Treatment
Speaker: Zeina El Jourdi - Lecture: Family Planning - The Married Life - Topical Birth Control Pills & Tools
Speaker: Siham Suleiman
During the lectures, the attendees received special health related puzzles and brochures.
Artisan Seminar at ABSMC
On Thursday March 27th and Friday May 28th 2014, a special two-day seminar was organized by the ARCL Artisan Committee for the Syrian_Armenian women in Lebanon. The Seminar took place at the “Tenjukian” hall of the ABSMC.
The coordinator of the seminar, Azad Sarkissian, briefly presented the aim of the seminar also mentioning the activities of the ARCL in general and the Artisan Committee in particular.
Dikranouhi Tovmassian and Seta Cheorekdjian of the ARCL Artisan Committee led the courses which included basic sewing, Marach Embroidery, and craft skills.
The attendees were given pieces of fabric, needles, patterns, and various sewing tools.
Educational Seminar at ABSMC
The ARCL Educational Committee held its two-day seminar on Monday March 24 and Monday April 7, 2014 at the ABSMC “Tenjukina” hall.
The lecture were delivered as follows:
- Lecture about Children
Speaker: Director and actress Vivian Antonios - Lecture about Women Rights
Speaker: Sossi Poladian - Lecture: Obligations of Parents - Children's Health, Education and Behavior
Speaker: Sosi Balian
Cooking Seminar in Ainjar
The cooking seminar in Ainjar took place on May 13, 2014 at the “Alexan & Araxi Kelbashian” Kitchen of the Recovery Center (Gaztourman Gayan). The seminar was attended by 30 Syrian-Armenian refugee women.
Madlen Khosian delivered the opening speech in which she expressed sorrow toward the situation in Syria and wished that soon all refugees will return back to their homes.
Mrs. Hilda Doumanian delivered the cooking course and prepared 2 meals.
Health Seminar in Ainjar
On April 11, 2014, 38 Syrian-Armenian refugee women participated in the Health Seminar organized by the ARCL at the “Sarkis Zetlian” Center in Ainjar.
The lectures were delivered as follows:
- Lecture: Chronic Diseases - Child Safety & First Aid
Speaker: Marie-Fleur Aroushian - Lecture: Female Hygiene and Health - Women’s Sexual Diseases: Symptoms & Prevention
Speaker: Mary Arevian
Educational Seminar in Ainjar
The Educational Seminar took place on May 5, 2014 at the “Sarkis Zetlian” Center in Ainjar and was attended by 60 individuals 35 of which were Syrian-Armenian women.
The speaker of the day, Mrs. Polin Sarafian, spoke about the psychological effects of mourning, emphasizing on how to cope with the truth and to what extend to make the child a part of this difficult situation. She stated that the child will eventually have to face the bitter truth. It is important that the adults in his community keep a healthy attitude to make sure that child doesn’t go through psychological trauma, while getting the best answers to all his questions pertaining the situation.
She concluded her lecture by addressing the Syrian-Armenian refugees and guiding them on how to cope with their situation as refugees.
Artisan Seminar in Ainjar
On Wednesday, the 14th of May 2014, an Artisan Seminar was organized at the “Sarkis Zetlian” Center in Ainjar and was attended by 30 Syrian-Armenian women.
During the day, the following courses were taught by Shoughig Daghelian:
- Sewing Basics & How to Mend Old Clothing
- Introduction to Armenian Embroidery and Needlework
- Fabrics & Threads used in Sivas & Aintab Embroidery
- Introduction to Crochet, Armenian Etamin(Cross Stitch), and Patchwork.