Himaya’s 2014 Gala Dinner

A message from Childhood to the Hands that can Help or Abuse

October 9^th, 2014 – Beirut, Lebanon: For the fourth consecutive year Himaya, a Lebanese non-governmental organization (NGO) working on child protection and enhancing the wellbeing of childhood in Lebanon, organized its yearly gala dinner. The event took place on Wednesday October 8^th, 2014 at MusicHall Water Front in an atmosphere of joy and hope.

“This year’s event was nothing like its predecessors,” said Ms. Lama Yazbeck, Executive Director of Himaya. The event titled “Be the Hand That Helps and not Abuse” aimed at sharing the different types of abuses children face and how a helping hand can change a future. “Gala dinners usually happen and donations are gathered, this time the kids were with us. They were through their thoughts and concerns reflected on various silhouettes spread around the venue from the arrival point to the departure,” added Ms. Yazbeck. Each silhouette communicated a different message of truth, reality or a thank you, painting the real picture of suffering and gratefulness.

In Lebanon and according to the study carried out by kafa in partnership with the Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA) and Save the Children in 2008, more than: 885‚000 children are victims of psychological abuse, of which, 738‚000 are also victims of physical abuse and 219‚000 victims of sexual abuse.

Himaya is the only NGO in Lebanon that offers complementary programs including prevention, rehabilitation, and social reintegration through its programs of training and resilience covering all areas of Lebanon. Working with the child, the family and the environment as a whole, the organization strives for change on a national level in order to ensure a long lasting impact on the lives of children in the country.

The event was supported by Bank Audi, Al Waleed Bin Talal Humanitarian Foundation, LibanPost, Magrabi Optical, BankMed, Fondation Ousseimi, U Magazine, BB Energy, Hypco, Strategy&, Bank Libano Francaise, Sealco, LG, Café Super Brazil, BLC Bank, NECB, dar al-hndasah, Mitsulift, Fransabank, ABC, Mini and Music Hall.

“Himaya would like to extend a special thanks to all who have made this night a reality and success. Without your generous contribution and helping hands children wouldn’t have had the chance to live for a better future,” concluded Ms. Yazbeck.

For more information, please visit our website www.himaya.org or contact:

himaya