Irish Lebanon Project

Let us exchange cultural and social ideas. Let us raise awareness and improve education for our young

While on our fact finding mission to Lebanon in November 2006, The Irish Lebanon Project called into The Horizon International School, just outside Tyre in South Lebanon. We were warmly greeted by Dr. Martin Shehaitly and the mixed pupils of the school.

During our meeting with Dr. Shehaitly, we learned many things about the school and its students. For instance, many of the subjects are taught through english.

We discussed many topics and how The Irish Lebanon Project could be of assistance to the School and its students. We made an immediate decision to canvass for teachers in Ireland to travel with us to Lebanon and teach English, Science, IT Skills, French, etc.

We believe that this Teacher exchange has the potential of greater things. We believe that the potential may expand to student exchange between Ireland and Lebanon.

Based on our Building Project Philosophy we are asking for Irish Teachers to travel with us to Lebanon and apply their skills to the benefit of Lebanese Students. This will take place during the Summer Holidays. We are asking Irish Teachers to volunteer one or two weeks during this period. Monies that you raise will go directly to the school that you work in.

HOW IT WORKS

TEACHER / STUDENT EXCHANGE

On a follow up meeting with Dr. Martin Shehaitly in April 2007, we agreed on the following for our Teacher Volunteers.

Both formalised and structured lessons will be managed, however since we want the Lebanese Students to enjoy the Irish experience and make it easier for our Teacher Volunteers, we propose that informal lessons with emphasis on speaking and listening skills would be enriching and beneficial as well.

The Students of The Horizon International School have experience in speaking the English language. They are taught English as a second language (writing, analysis, conversation), and in addition all science and math subjects are taught in English.

The students that have been attending school are in the age group of 5 to 15 but again the volunteers won’t have to accommodate all ages or all classes. Based on the available volunteers The School will plan and manage the activities accordingly.

It would be helpful if the Volunteer Teachers could provide additional teaching resources (educational games, stories, maps, books, flash cards, …); what is available in the school is very limited.

The Volunteer Teachers will be coming during the vacation or summer break. The Irish Lebanon Project will coordinate a schedule with the volunteers and the Horizon International School to ensure smooth setup, ease of operation, and maximum benefit. The School will work out a tentative schedule that would be the subject of discussion with the volunteers. The School is confident that it can manage any situation without any difficulties.

We expect our Volunteer Teachers to have their own set of questions and requirements both professional and personal, general and specific (to their subject areas) and we welcome any ideas and suggestions.

COMPUTER AND BOOKS APPEAL

Dr. Shehaitly of The Horizon International School has appealed to us on behalf of his students to request computers and school books from the people of Ireland. We are aware that there are many school books left redundant in many Irish Schools and Book Shops, that could be put to the benefit of Lebanese Students. We are also aware that there are many computers in institutions that are decommissioned and could be donated to our schools Projects in Lebanon.

Please give this appeal some serious consideration

HORIZON INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, TYRE, LEBANON

Dan O'Connell, Robert O'Neill, Dr. Shehaitly, John Sweeney and Micheál Mac Diarmada

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