Ayadina Association
Al Motran Street Beirut , Mount Lebanon Lebanon
Tucked away in a narrow alleyway in Nabaa, one of Beirut’s most impoverished areas, is a 2‐story building which houses Ayadina Association. From the outside, it seems like any other building, but on the inside, it is the beating heart of the community, bringing together its members every day in a celebration of hope and potential. It’s almost difficult to believe that Ayadina Association started off as a singlehanded effort many years ago. When Maya Najjar, Founder and President, saw the staggering challenges stacked against this underserved community, she began to help in any way she could, carrying food over to one house and medicine to another, going as far as her limited resources would take her. But her dedication soon inspired others, one hand led to another, and in 2004, Ayadina Association was officially registered as a non‐sectarian, non‐governmental organization, with a mission to develop the Nabaa/Sin El Fil community by addressing the needs of underprivileged youth and senior citizens. At Ayadina Association today, children and youth are provided with a rich and dynamic environment where their imagination is set free and their creativity is nurtured through arts classes. They are inspired to dream and grow into positive role models in their community. Senior citizens are offered a full psychosocial program that embraces their basic needs and provides them with the opportunity to socialize and feel a sense of belonging. At Ayadina Association, everyone is welcome and is treated with dignity and respect. We believe that by truly touching one person, a positive ripple effect is created, and an entire community is moved. By opening up opportunities at the center, hope trickles outward nourishing every home in every corner of the community. Today, more than 200 children and 50 senior citizens call Ayadina their second home. The center is open to all without discrimination, supporting both local and refugee communities.