press releases 2008

Michele J. Sison, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the U. S. Embassy Visited USAID/Lebanon Projects in Northern Lebanon

February 22, 2008

Michele J. Sison, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the U.S. Embassy and Raouf Youssef, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Lebanon director, visited four USAID project sites in northern Lebanon on February 21, 2008.  The Chargé met and talked with the Lebanese people benefiting from programs in Zogharta, Bebine, Qobayat, and Tekrit.  “The programs are impressive, but it is the commitment of the Lebanese people which makes them successful,” according to the Chargé.  She went on to say: “How disappointing that all of the American people cannot meet these wonderful Lebanese men and women and see how effective our partnership is!”

The Chargé visited Zogharta and Qobayat to see the advances in agricultural production and marketing USAID assistance supports, working with its partner the Cooperative Housing Foundation (CHF).  She toured the Agricultural Center of the North (ACN), established in 1994 by the Rene Moawad Foundation, in Zogharta.  This project assists over 3,000 farmers from Zogharta, Akkar, Koura, Dannieh Ehden, Bsharre and Batroun with training and agricultural services.  The “Virtual Central Market,” an on-line service, links farmers, exporters, processors, distributors, and buyers to facilitate trade and the exchange of valuable information.  In 2005, the ACN increased farmer income by 10-50%, increasing the total value of sales to $5.3 million.  While in Qobayat, the Chargé saw the renovated olive press structure and the new oil separator, which assists 167 area farmers.

At the Bebnine School for Boys, which has 555 students, the Chargé met with students and administrators to view the school renovations, new laboratory equipment and to discuss the curriculum changes, particularly the new extra-curricular activities.  The Bebnine School is one of the seventy schools USAID assists in the Lebanon Education Assistance for Development (LEAD) program with its partner CHF. 

Members of the Tekrit Women’s Cooperative explained to the Chargé the centuries-old tradition called “mouneh,” the annual processing and natural preservation of seasonal fruits and vegetables by women.  USAID and its partner the YMCA trained over 1,600 women in processing methods, manufacturing and management skills.  The Tekrit cooperative is part of the cooperatives network established by the USAID-funded Stimulating Markets and Rural Transformation program (SMART) and implemented by the YMCA.  The Tekrit natural products are sold under the label “Atayeb El Rif” or “Rural Delights.”
 
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has worked in Lebanon since 1951, funding development projects to benefit Lebanese citizens. USAID’s programs promote economic opportunities, job creation, good governance and environmental policies and practices in rural Lebanon.