A holiday community initiative where our club distributed food boxes, hygiene kits, and toys to vulnerable families in the Zgharta region.
What we did
During the holiday season, many households in Zgharta struggle to afford basic necessities. To help support the most vulnerable families, the Rotaract Club of Zgharta Zawie, in collaboration with Interact, organized the project “Yen3ad 3aleykon.” Funds raised through our Christmas Market were used to purchase food items and toothbrushes, while several partners also contributed donations. Gift of Life provided hygiene products, Artists Got Milk donated milk, and toys were collected through donation boxes placed in local schools. We identified 30 households in need, including elderly widows, blind elderly individuals, and families with children or babies. The 15 most vulnerable households received both a food box and a hygiene kit, while the remaining hygiene kits were distributed to other families in need. Toys and diapers were also provided to households with children or infants to ensure every item reached someone who truly needed it. With the help of around 20 volunteers, our team spent more than 10 hours packing and delivering the items. Some homes were located in areas that cars could not reach, so volunteers carried the packages on foot to ensure every household received their support. One moment from the day stayed with us. After completing our final delivery, we encountered a family with several young children. Although we had already distributed the last food box, we still had a few toys and diapers left. When we offered them to the family, the children’s faces immediately lit up with joy. Before accepting the diapers, the mother carefully checked the size and said that if they were not suitable, she would prefer that another family receive them. It was a small moment that reminded us of the kindness and dignity people maintain even in difficult circumstances. The project was a deeply meaningful experience for our members. Seeing the smiles, hearing people wish us “Yen3ad 3aleykon,” and knowing we could help, even in a small way, made all the effort worthwhile.
