LEBANON

CHF International has been working in Lebanon since 1997. With more than 15 years of experience working in Lebanon, CHF has established a reputation for implementing community-driven programs that address a broad range of social issues, from agricultural development, to education, and the environment.

Improving the Learning Environement in Lebanese Schools

Through the USAID-funded Developing Rehabilitation Assistance to Schools and Teacher Improvement (D-RASATI) program, CHF aims to  improve student achievement by upgrading the educational environments of  Lebanese public schools. In patrnership with Education Development Center (EDC), the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE) and local stakeholders, CHF is developing a plan to rehabilitate 600 public schools. CHF will also work with project partner AMIDEAST to develop extra-curricular activities for students who attend the rehabilitated schools and mobilize communities to increase engagement in school activities. 

Expanding Access to Credit

Since 1998, Ameen s.a.l. has been providing microenterprise and home improvement loans to low-income populations who are un- or underserved by traditional financial markets. Founded by CHF International, Ameen s.a.l. originates and services loans in partnership with four private commercial banks and has become one of the largest microfinance providers in Lebanon. Today Ameen offers a wide range of financial services from business to consumer loans, as well as, home improvement loans. In 2008, Ameen s.a.l. was ranked the top microfinance institution in Lebanon by the Microfinance Information eXchange (MIX).

RECENT PROGRAMS

Improving Educational Facilities and School Programs

With funding from USAID, the Lebanon Education Assistance for Development (LEAD) improved the infrastructure and learning facilities of 85 schools located in throughout the country. More than 30,000 students benefited from LEAD program activities including rehabilitation of school facilities, provision of laboratory equipment and establishment of clubs and after-school activities. In conjunction with the LEAD program, CHF was able to make repairs to additional schools with funding from the Caterpillar Foundation.

Municipal Capacity Building and Service Delivery

The TAMKIN program helped to strengthen the capacity of local municipalities, improve service delivery and promote integrated and participatory planning. Funded by USAID, the program worked with 40 municipalities in Northern Lebanon to become more effective in leading local socio-economic development through democratic engagement with the private sector and citizenry. The program included mobilizing local communities and municipalities, conducting leadership mapping, and electing and training Municipal Development Committees (MDC) in each village. Once trained MDCs worked with partners and the municipality to develop and execute local economic development plans which identified projects with the greatest economic impact.

Agricultural Development

The Lebanon Apple Production Improvement (LAPI) program promoted economic development in the apple producing areas of Mount Lebanon, Bekaa and North Lebanon. Through LAPI, CHF provided training to growers in improved production techniques and developed a mechanism for quality control and food safety. As a result, agricultural producers were able to grow higher quality fruit for domestic and foreign markets and increase their incomes.