- R
- R
"You will never run alone," was one of the last messages runner and coach, Mark Jibran, wrote on his running group's Facebook page before his workout center collapsed on top of him in Beirut's explosion on August 4. Mark was injured but was able to escape out a window.
I learned of Mark's story from my friend, Rana Sabbagh, who was a graduate student in a qualitative research course I taught in Cyprus in 2016. She traveled to Cyprus from her home in Beirut for the course, and we've stayed in touch since then. She's a remarkable student, teacher, and person.
Because I think so highly of Rana, and she thinks so highly of Mark, I knew I wanted to do something to help.
Here's what Rana posted on her Facebook page earlier today:
"This man, who's full of life and energy, had me fall in love with running and Beirut. While many of us decided to leave the country and seek better opportunities outside, he decided to fight for Lebanon and make a living here. He worked day and night to build this happy place for runners.
Just like all Lebanese people, Mark's life savings were robbed by the Lebanese government earlier this October. Nonetheless he decided to continue his fight.
On August 4, Mark's dreams, efforts, all he's worked for and all he's got were crushed as two floors crumbled on top of him while he was inside the gym training.
Thankfully, his life was miraculously saved. Him and his trainee got out injured but alive from the window. (See photos) He is one of the many whose lives were spared but souls are crushed.
We stand with all the victims, we support them and their families and shed light on their miseries, but we will also avenge them!
Change is coming, and justice will take its course."
So if you've felt compelled to help Lebanon but didn't know where to do so, help Mark. You can even follow his journey or get a sense of his enthusiasm for running and life on his center's facebook page .
(Rana has started her own fundraiser, and I plan to send the funds raised through this Go Fund Me directly to her via a bank transfer. Including this information for transparency purposes.)
Rana and Mark.
Mark's fitness center.
The window where Mark escaped from his center.
I learned of Mark's story from my friend, Rana Sabbagh, who was a graduate student in a qualitative research course I taught in Cyprus in 2016. She traveled to Cyprus from her home in Beirut for the course, and we've stayed in touch since then. She's a remarkable student, teacher, and person.
Because I think so highly of Rana, and she thinks so highly of Mark, I knew I wanted to do something to help.
Here's what Rana posted on her Facebook page earlier today:
"This man, who's full of life and energy, had me fall in love with running and Beirut. While many of us decided to leave the country and seek better opportunities outside, he decided to fight for Lebanon and make a living here. He worked day and night to build this happy place for runners.
Just like all Lebanese people, Mark's life savings were robbed by the Lebanese government earlier this October. Nonetheless he decided to continue his fight.
On August 4, Mark's dreams, efforts, all he's worked for and all he's got were crushed as two floors crumbled on top of him while he was inside the gym training.
Thankfully, his life was miraculously saved. Him and his trainee got out injured but alive from the window. (See photos) He is one of the many whose lives were spared but souls are crushed.
We stand with all the victims, we support them and their families and shed light on their miseries, but we will also avenge them!
Change is coming, and justice will take its course."
So if you've felt compelled to help Lebanon but didn't know where to do so, help Mark. You can even follow his journey or get a sense of his enthusiasm for running and life on his center's facebook page .
(Rana has started her own fundraiser, and I plan to send the funds raised through this Go Fund Me directly to her via a bank transfer. Including this information for transparency purposes.)
Rana and Mark.
Mark's fitness center.
The window where Mark escaped from his center.