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Glimmers of hope for a teen and her family |
In the heart of Beirut’s Armenian section, a teen named Maria bears the weight of her family’s struggles. She longs for the simplicity of a carefree adolescence, where worries about basic needs such as making rent or having enough to eat are distant concerns.
With rising inflation and the cost of living in Lebanon, her father, Pierre, can barely make enough money as a taxi driver to feed his family — a job that is more sporadic than steady. Beside him is Carol, Maria’s mother, whose days are consumed by caring for Maria’s two sisters, who have special needs. They previously attended a special needs school but had to leave due to financial hardship, leaving their mother to tend to their many needs. Maria longed to ease her parents’ burden and decided to drop out of school to assist her mother. However, Carol couldn’t bear to see her daughter sacrifice her education for their family’s sake and knew she had to seek help. |
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Maria (far right) pictured with her family |
Feeling desperate, Carol turned to JMP for assistance. In a meeting with a social worker, she shared the fears and struggles her family endured for too long. In that moment of vulnerability, she found a glimmer of hope when the social worker recommended that Maria join JMP’s Teenagers’ Program, where she could continue her education while receiving the support her family so desperately needed.
For Maria, this news brought a renewed sense of purpose. Enrolling in a technical school, she chose to pursue her passion for hotel management, dreaming of one day owning her own restaurant. Alongside her studies, she delves into her love for photography, finding solace and inspiration behind the lens of her camera. More than anything, Maria is grateful to JMP. Their support not only gave her access to education but also the chance to build a better future for herself and her family.
JMP Lebanon’s Teenagers’ Program stands out as one of our most successful and impactful initiatives, dating back to 2005. With a track record of over 150 participants, many have completed high school and gained admission to universities. Originating from low-income families, some of these teens have experienced poverty, abuse, neglect and domestic violence. However, through our program, these resilient teens now smile, dream and inspire others not to succumb to life’s challenges. Guided by weekly gatherings and personalized psychosocial support sessions with a dedicated social worker, they have learned to navigate and overcome life’s hurdles.
Please consider making a gift to JMP Lebanon. Your support can help break the cycle of poverty for teens like Maria, giving them and their families hope for a brighter future. |
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During the Teenagers’ Program, teens attend educational fellowship sessions alongside a series of adventurous outings, including visits to natural landscapes, swimming pools, resorts and nature |
“Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.”(Jeremiah 17:14) |
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JMP Study Tour 2025 |
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Your gifts go directly to build up health, faith, farms and businesses by empowering local JMP teams in Armenia, Lebanon, Syria, Istanbul, Jerusalem and Georgia. To make the greatest impact, consider making a monthly gift.
Thank you for standing in unity with Armenian Christian leaders to share God’s love with the most vulnerable and to build a brighter future for all! |
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