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 With over 19 religious communities in Lebanon, a need for interfaith work could not be stronger. The The Lebanon Project is an interfaith exchange which brings religious diverse Americans and Lebanese together to engage in service-learning. All work done during the trips fit into three themes: Service, Peace, and Education:
The SERVICE component
TLP has worked to identify service projects worthy of a long-term commitment for all service programs and media coverage. Current and potential service initiatives include painting primary schools, tutoring children, caring for the elderly, clearing rubble in areas of war damage, and working on the Lebanon Mountain Trail Project - an established initiative aiming to blaze a 300-mile recreational trail across Lebanon. The PEACE component
Through collaboration with Lebanese students, The Lebanon Project emphasizes coexistence. TLP sees shared religious values and cultural practices as crucial elements in successfully achieving cohesion between individuals of various identities. Through this, a common experience builds strong, long lasting friendships that cross religious, ethnic, and national lines. Special attention has been given to free and open discussion on issues of particular importance in West-Middle East relations today: religion, conflict, and political freedom. The EDUCATION component
There can be no peace without understanding, no coexistence without mutual respect. To this end, TLP has developed a short-term educational curriculum to be implemented before, during, and after each trip. While in Lebanon, American students are exposed to local culture, history, and society through excursions to governmental/educational institutions, historical visits and cultural events. As a part of this education, TLP makes special efforts to ensure that American and Lebanese students spend the maximum amount of time in a shared environment. TLP also addresses problems affecting the way that Lebanese communities view the United States. Demonstrating the socially active side of American youth, TLP teams are proof that the US can be a positive global influence, working unconditionally for the benefit of the needy of any ethnicity, political allegiance or faith. Through collaboration with local students, TLP volunteers have the opportunity to forge positive relationships with the future movers and shakers of Lebanese society. These relationships, more than any political propaganda campaign, have the power to change perceptions. For more information, or to be notified when applications open for the next TLP experience trip, please contact:
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