source: UNIFIL

The project will improve the lives of many young guests of a center for the care, education and rehabilitation of young people with disabilities.

The rehabilitation facility is located in Qana, a village of about ten thousand inhabitants southeast of Tyre, in southern Lebanon.

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A renovation project aimed at improving the quality of life of the "special" children who us​​​e the structure, making the center more efficient, offering a wider range of services and tailored to the needs of users. This, in short, is the project that the "blue helmets" of the Italian contingent of Unifil have realized in the "Al-Basma Center for special needs", the rehabilitation structure that deals with the care, education and integration of young people with disabilities in Qana, a village of about ten thousand inhabitants southeast of Tyre, in southern Lebanon. 


In particular, the works involved improvement of the safety conditions of the building and a change of function that affected the canteen spaces, built from scratch according to modern standards of energy, efficiency and adaptation of facilities. This space will allow children to become more autonomous and experience moments of aggregation and conviviality. 


Thanks to this project, realized with funds from the Ministry of Defense, the social workers of the centre will provide the guests ​maintenance and development of cognitive abilities, as well as abilities concerning personal, social, affective and possibly employment-related autonomy.


The inauguration ceremony was attended by the mayor of Qana Mohammed Hassan Kresht, the director of the institute Hassan Daklallah and Brigadier General Andrea Di Stasio (Army), commander of Unifil's Western Sector, the United Nations Interposition Force in South Lebanon.


"The issue of disability and the conquest of autonomy and social inclusion of people affected by it requires great attention and awareness​," said General Di Stasio. "I am convinced, in fact, that it is extremely important to invest in the cultural and educational dimension of hospitality in all areas of our society, so that no one is marginalized. As soldiers, we choose to be soldiers to realize the dream of peace and to support the weakest people. Through this project, we are giving a better future to this people". 


"It is an important day," commented the mayor of Qana, "because today an authentic act of solidarity is realized. I would like to sincerely thank the Italian contingent of UNIFIL that made all this possible and express our gratitude for their commitment and continuous closeness to one of the weakest sections of our population. Lebanon and Italy have always been two countries linked by ancient and strong bonds".


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