Page 36 - Presbyterian Connection

36
PRESBYTERIAN
SUMMER 2023
presbyterian.ca
Training Program for Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon
The Joint Christian Committee for Social Service in Lebanon (JCC) offers an electronics/computer training program for Palestinian refugees that is making a differ- ence in the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in Leba- non. The Presbyterian Church in Canada has been a long-time partner with the JCC and has sup- por ted this program for four years.
Located at the Sabra/Shatila ref- ugee camp, the electronics/com- puter program has been designed to serve Palestinian refugees, as well as local impoverished resi- dents, and has recently expanded to include Syrian refugees.
Those taking par t consider it a lifeline to a valuable training op-
portunity, which will allow them to build a more sustainable future for themselves and their families by finding a position within a job mar- ket that too often discriminates. Without such an opportunity, the fear is that some would fall into the trap of being influenced by radi- calized groups or end up a part of a growing drug problem.
Life in Lebanon has become ex- tremely difficult for many. With the ongoing economic crisis, the de- teriorating value of local currency and increasing inflation, the cost of living has risen dramatically. Many families need their youth to help sustain the family’s income.
The JCC’s electronics/computer program has both theoretical and
practical components. Students attend five days a week for six hours of training a day. It’s a nine- month course that concludes with a final exam and, if the student is successful, a cer tificate is award- ed that is stamped by the Ministry of Vocational Training. Until now, most of the students who take part have had very limited opportunities for training and skills development, with most not progressing beyond intermediate-level schooling.
The subject matter of the pro- gram continues to evolve to meet the needs of changing times. A new area of focus is centred on installing satellite dishes and fix- ing cell phones.
Almost all graduates are able to find employment after the program, and some even go on to more advanced-level training. Last year, 12 students graduated, and a small ceremony was held to celebrate their accomplishments. Currently, a class with 10 stu- dents is working hard to complete the course requirements.
The PCC continues to support this important training opportu- nity through gifts to Presbyterians Sharing.
Staff, students and guests of the electronics/computer program for Palestin- ian refugees in Lebanon.
Connection
Founded in 1950, the Joint Christian Committee for Social Service in Lebanon (JCC) is based in Beirut, and serves four communities: Dbayeh, Saida, Sabra and Tyre. Their mandate is to empower Palestinians of any age and gender with the knowledge and skills to be self- reliant. They focus on education, vocational training, advocacy and activities that are fun and encourage dignity. Palestinians are often treated as second-class residents in Lebanon, restricted from working in most fields, banned from owning property, forced to live in crowded camps and barred from formal education.
Sylvia Haddad is the Director of JCC and has her own experience of displacement. The programs aim to preserve Palestinian identity, heritage and culture. Through International Ministries, the PCC has been a partner with JCC since 2015.
Graduates of the program receive their certificates.
Planting Seeds of Hope in Malawi Prisons
These are the people who ensure the prison ministry continues. Pictured from left to right are Hastings M (our newest team member) Hastings P, Lyca and Rammy.
fenders (ages 9–18). Each month we come in contact with approxi- mately 4,800 inmates.
Prison ministry provides a “ministry of presence,” where we offer Bible study, prayer, coun- selling and a listening ear. Each month we also supply soap, medicine, clothing and other ne- cessities. Our desire is to share the love of God in Jesus and to give them hope by reminding them that they are not forgotten.
ThispastApril,Iwasabletovisit the team on the ground that facili- tates the prison ministry. It was such an encouragement to spend time with ministry leaders, hear- ing and seeing their heart for the inmates and dreaming about future possibilities for the ministry.
The first day we arrived, we par ticipated in two graduation ceremonies. A new initiative of the prison ministry has been to provide theological and leadership
training to inmates in prison. It is a one-year recognized cer tificate. This year we ran two cohorts at Mulanje and Blantyre prisons. It was exciting to see these men and women (33 graduates in total) re- ceive a day pass to attend a gradu- ationceremony(gownsandall!) with their families. With additional funding, our hope is to provide this to other prisons in the area.
We were also able to visit and see the ongoing work within the variousprisons.WevisitedMphu- phu prison, a place I had not been to since 2015. It is a prison that we were able to re-engage because Hastings M has joined the team. It is a farming prison that provides food (maize) for many of the other prisons in the region. However, it is in a remote area so few visitors come. At the end of our time, they asked if we could provide cups and plates for the inmates, as many of them had none. Because
of the generosity of our donors, we wereabletopurchasethem.
I look forward to seeing the fur- ther ways that we can plant seeds of hope in the prisons in Malawi.
If you would like to do- nate in order to help support this important ministry, visit malawifriendsofprisons.ca. If you would like more info on the pris- on ministry, please contact me at joel@parispresb.ca.
By the Rev. Joel Sherbino, International Mission Staff, Paris Presbyterian Church in Paris, Ont.
It has been a real privilege to over- see the prison ministry in Malawi. This ministry began several years ago with the vision to “plant seeds of hope,” and is supported in part by Presbyterians Sharing.
Prisons in Malawi are over- crowded and underfunded, where
the men and woman inmates struggle with the lack of necessi- ties, such as clean water, proper sanitation, adequate food, soap, medicine and clothing. Yet often their biggest worry is that they will be “forgotten.”
Through the prison ministry, we are now involved with 22 prisons (17 of these for male inmates and five for female inmates), and two of these prisons are for young of-