In Beirut, the working-class neighbourhood of Karm El Zeitoun has been deeply affected by the successive crises that have shaken Lebanon. It is one of the most deprived and marginalised neighbourhoods in the capital. The gradual deterioration in living conditions has left many families in a state of extreme vulnerability. The Daughters of Charity, who have been present since 1957, are a vital pillar of support: at their medical and social centre, they provide a wide range of services and unconditional support to the most vulnerable residents.

A silent tragedy unfolds every day: that of the elderly

The departure of the younger generations, forced to leave the neighbourhood or the country in search of a better future, has left behind an ageing population, often living alone and without family support. Extreme poverty, a lack of suitable public services and the loss of physical independence make their daily lives a constant struggle. 
"The decline in personal hygiene, substandard housing and increased health risks are becoming a harsh reality. This isolation and loss of dignity take a heavy toll on the physical and psychological health of frail older people, plunging them into profound loneliness and a sense of abandonment.”  Sr. Eliane

The project: Home support for isolated and dependent older people

The sisters plan to employ three people who, to begin with, will provide the following services for six months:

- a regular home cleaning service 
- support with personal hygiene, including bathing.

These simple yet vital measures will help transform their living environment, making it cleaner and healthier, and will contribute to better personal hygiene, which will improve their general well-being.

The beneficiaries are elderly men and women who are isolated, have lost their physical independence and have no stable income, and who live alone in Karm El Zeitoun. They are identified through home visits carried out by the sisters and volunteers. Each elderly person will receive four 2-hour visits per month. The project will support six elderly people per month.

“Beyond the practical aspects, we want to offer our elderly residents at Karm El Zeitoun a sense of security, support and respect. It is a helping hand, a sign that their lives matter, and that they have not been forgotten.
They are living witnesses to a complex history, at times marked by exile and suffering. 
Your support can make a difference to their daily lives, bring them some comfort and enable them to grow old with the dignity they deserve.”  Sr. Eliane

If the project raises more than its goal, any excess funds received will be allocated to a similar project.