Building a Better Future

Igniting Change: My Journey Volunteering starting from Abra's Public Library

What do you do in time of despair? How do you motivate yourself, and others?

When is a good time to make a move for the better good? Who says if you're qualified or not?

To be honest with you, when I started out, I had nothing but my will and persistence to guide me through this journey. One sunny day in the spring of 2021, I was visiting the municipality and discovered that it hosts a newly refurbished public library that seemed not to be put to its righteous use; with ashtrays filled with cigarette butts scattered on the tables, it looked rather like the canteen of the policemen, and it truly was so.

I requested a meeting with the mayor of Abra Mr. Elie R. Mchantaf who was more happy to receive my proposal for a plan to activate Abra Public Library (APL) and promote socio-cultural development. Needless to say, it took some persistence before being handed the keys to the library.

As I reflect on my time spent volunteering at APL and the opportunities that unravelled afterwards, I am filled with a sense of gratitude and purpose. This experience has been transformative, shaping not only my outlook on community service but also my approach to driving positive change in times of adversity.

When I first decided to volunteer at the library, I was driven by a deep desire to give back to my community and make a meaningful impact especially since the country as a whole was picking up its pieces after two rough years that started with the economic collapse, followed by the civil unrest, topped with the global COVID-19 pandemic, and the cherry on top - the Beirut port explosion. During these difficult moments, I found myself grappling with a range of emotions – fear, uncertainty, and despair. Yet, amidst the chaos, I also discovered a powerful source of inspiration: my emotional fire. Instead of allowing myself to be consumed by negativity, I chose to harness my emotions as a catalyst for positive change, and involve all segments of my society to the part of this journey.

I opened the library doors and created Abra Public Library's social pages (Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin) through which volunteer networks were created. I witnessed the resilience of the people in Abra and their unwavering commitment to rebuilding their community and I was empowered to persevere by the power of collective action. Together with my fellow volunteers, we worked tirelessly to provide deeply needed services and support. From offering educational workshops and courses, to organizing cultural events, we became beacons of hope in a time of darkness. The most enriching aspect is that by simply being an agent of change, I attracted alike agents from various sectors, from the early childhood educator Mrs. Mofida Zahra, attorney and human rights consultant Ms. Nancy Nahouly , Founder and CEO Mrs. Nicole Al Hazzam , actor and musician Mr. Tarek Bashasha, to organizations such as Fighters For Peace , Clown Me In and others.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my volunteer experience was witnessing the transformative impact one though could have if it finds the right environment to grow. The ripples of change were seen all through the community, where togetherness and eagerness became the trending values after one year of consistent effort. Through our collective actions, the library team of volunteers was able to instill a sense of hope and optimism, empowering individuals to overcome adversity and embrace a brighter future. We took the initiative the first time around the holidays of 2021/2022 (and even the on the following year) to launch the first Christmas market in Abra, which required a month of planning in advance and included over 30 participants and exhibitors from Abra and its neighboring villages. Through this event along I not only helped small businesses and entrepreneurs by giving them a spot to display their activities, but also discovered some hidden talents!

Following the experience at APL, new doors to serve the community opened. The mayor invited me to join the board of the Stability and Local Development (SLD) Committee established in partnership between UNDP Lebanon and the municipality of Abra. During that time, I focused on creating sustainable solutions by bridging the generational gap through technology and presenting scientific data. Many achievements resulted from this collaboration, from lunching Abra's first online directory mobile app "Abra Btejma3na" for small businesses and entrepreneurs, to creating an active communication with the nearby municipality of Haret Saida, and other activities such as street clean-ups and planting days.

The results of the volunteer work were enough to demonstrate my readiness to take on more. Mr. Elie Mchantaf entrusted me to represent the municipality at different events, from the USAID 's CLP meeting, to liaising with NGOs such as NAHNOO and GAME to execute their communal sports program. I was inspired by the level of dynamism and organization their project had, and by the success it amassed after its completion. It it noteworthy that the playmaker camps organized by GAME were extremely beneficial on the personal level, as they boost one's self confidence first and foremost, alongside the technical knowledge it provided on managing a communal sports facility, with minimum knowledge of the game. I couldn't believe that I, someone who never really got the hang of basketball, was now teaching it for younger kids (actually teaching team play more than technique). I used the same self confidence to create an open class of self defense supported by my long term friend and coach Ahmad Abou Taleb,PMP . The MA & Self Defense Coaching classes were launched with the support of the municipality who offered the locale, and was personally funded.

The journey kept getting richer and richer, and of course I had a team of disciples myself that I could not have gone without. A shoutout to the best team members I've had; Téla Abdo , Sally Dib, Sandra Haddad, Cécile NAWFAL , George Boutros, Ralf Mchantaf, Rudy Deeb, Rita Deeb, Mohammad El Senn, Angelo Agha , Rita Safi and many others.

Looking back, I am struck by the realization that true change begins within ourselves. By embracing our emotional fire and channeling it into positive action, we have the power to ignite change and drive development in even the most challenging of times. As I continue on my journey of service and self-discovery, I am grateful for the lessons learned and the lives touched through my time spent volunteering at Abra Public Library.

In closing, I am reminded of the words of Helen Keller, who once said, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." Let us continue to harness the power of community and collaboration to create a brighter, more inclusive future for all.

This article is written in the memory of my loving father who passed away after a battle with cancer in October of 2023. Ziad, a.k.a. "Kohar" believed in eduction above all, his words " your only inheritancy from me in this world are your degrees" he used to tell me and my sisters. His toughness masked his love and unwavering support for us, his family, his only light in this world. To him I say, "Dad, we will work hard to make you proud every day".