Emergency response in The Bekaa

Circle of Wellbeing is a Norwegian NGO based in the Bekaa with the focus on supporting the wellbeing of refugee and Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian women living in the Bekaa. Circle of Wellbeing strives to empower and support women in the Bekaa Valley in a safe environment despite what background, sexual orientation, beliefs, or religion they might have. Through yoga, meditation, art therapy and awareness the women can be more aware of their own body, mind, rights, and mental and physical wellbeing.

Mission Statement:

To support and empower women by providing the tools to manage stress, facilitating creative skills and delivering information about women’s health and parenting.

We are currently running 3-4 sessions every week and are keen on expanding and reaching as many women as possible in the area. We are seeking to raise money for the daily logistics and needs of the centre.

This includes:

Rent of the space

Salaries for local staff

Paying trainers for awareness sessions

Procurement needs: mazut, water, healthy snacks, paper for the printer, ink etc.

Procurement needs: children's activities like puzzles and toys

Transportation costs for volunteers to go to and from the centre

Maintenance needs of the centre (cleaning, fixing windows etc.)

The Needs for Women:

Life for many women in the Bekaa is often overfilled with attention to the home and taking care of the children will little space for self-care. The women’s centre allows the women to have a dedicated space and time every week to relax and engage in structured activities. The centre is situated in the centre of Bar Elias and we can support many women due to the high-needs area we are in.

Childcare:

Circle of Wellbeing also acknowledges the importance of providing childcare for the women, to allow them to participate freely. In the centre, our childcare space is run by friendly volunteers who focus on Arabic and English learning through play. The informal setup allows for different-aged children to participate in activities that are appropriate for them. It is an opportunity for children who are out of school to engage in learning materials and it is a place for babies and toddlers to engage in stimulating activities needed for their growth and development.