“If we are ever to have real peace in this world, we shall have to begin with the children.”

Mahatma Ghandi

Good habits start at a young age

The best way to create a good habit is to plant a seed at a very young age. Some children are born into privileged and healthy homes, while other children are born into more difficult circumstances. It is important to teach our children from a young age to be thankful for what they have; it is important for them to know that not all children have it easy; and it is important to teach them to have compassion and to help those in need whenever possible. When positive habits are installed early on, they stay with us for a lifetime.

A special visit

On a sunny Saturday afternoon, Dulce Salerno along with her two older brothers (aged 5 and 3) and her mother headed to the old city of Jbeil (Byblos) to spend a day with the children of Birds’ Nest, an orphanage and school for Armenian children. The purpose of the trip was to visit the children and the school, play and spend time with them and draw a smile on their face. But it was also an important lesson for the children: to interact and play with children from different backgrounds and share their toys with them, and to practice the habit of reaching out a hand to the less fortunate early on in their childhood.

During our visit, we were happy to see that the children at Birds’ Nest are well taken care of. They are sweet, disciplined, smart and social children, and they love to interact with new people. They showed us much affection by running to greet us, smiling and laughing with us, and hugging us goodbye as we were leaving. When you don’t have much in this world, it takes very little to make you smile. And when you don’t have a family of your own, a little love and affection is all you need.

About Birds’ Nest

Birds’ Nest was founded in 1926 by a Danish missionary, Miss Maria Jacobson who dedicated her life to the Armenian orphans until her death in 1960. Since then, Birds’ Nest is under the jurisdiction and protection of the Catholicosate of Cilicia whose catholicois extend their fatherly blessing and love to the Armenian orphans. Birds’ Nest is Authorized by the Ministry of Education of the Lebanese Government.

Birds’ Nest provides a home for orphaned children and children from families with social problems such as drug addiction, alcoholism, child abuse, mental disorders. It ensures their education, helps in their social and psychological rehabilitation and contributes to their well-being and health development. Birds’ Nest also puts a special emphasis on extra-curricular cultural and sportive activities. The number of student varies between 130-160 depending on the annual budget balanced by generous donors. The children grow in a loving and caring atmosphere and after their graduation, they become a good asset to both the Armenian nation and humanity.

How you can help

There are many ways that you can contribute to the children of Birds’ Nest. For one, you can visit the school to spend time some quality time with the children and bring a smile to their day. You can donate clothes and toys, and you can donate money. For more information, please contact them on +961-9-540867.

Posted by Dulce Salerno