12.06.2015
Visit to Lebanon Aims to Build Solidarity With Syrian Refugees
“Over a 1am pint, prior to 6am breakfast, I was asked, ‘Will you come to the Lebanon/ Syrian border and help tell the refugees story?’ Seventy–two hours later I was on a flight to Beirut. My life will never be the same.” – Greg Fromholz.
Greg Fromholz, Dublin and Glendalough’s Young Adults’ Officer (who is also a documentary film director), went to the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon with Tearfund to document the plight of Syrian Refugees for Summer Madness and Catalyst. He says it is one of the hardest things he has ever done.
Since 2011 nearly 1.2 million Syrians have crossed the boarder into Lebanon to escape the conflict. It is believed that the same amount of people again may have crossed the border unofficially.
This year at Summer Madness (a camp for teenagers) and Catalyst (a camp for young adults) there will be a campaign entitled ‘A Tent is not Just for a Festival’.Campers at both festivals will have the opportunity to partner in solidarity with a refugee tent on the Syrian border in Lebanon. They will be asked to gather sponsorship to feed a family living in a tent in the refugee camps in the Bekaa Valley for a month or more.
The campaign aims to highlight the desperate need of the Syrian refugees and inspire young people to help. They may not be able to go to the refugee camps but what they do here can help.
Greg traveled to Lebanon with David Cavan of Tearfund NI, Jasper Rutherford of Summer Madness and Catalyst and Nigel Gilbert, Summer Madness Director.
The team met with Lebanese charity Heart for Lebanon. Traditionally there has been animosity between the Lebanese and Syrians because of the previous occupation. However a group of Lebanese Christians started visiting the refugee camps and from that, Heart for Lebanon was born. Staff from the charity go into the Bekaa Valley, which is just seven kilometres from ISIS, every day. They hand out clothes and blankets and feed 15,000 people a month.
The team went to Bekaa to listen to and record the refugee’s stories. They will put together a video which they hope will build solidarity between people here and the refugees.
“Personally, it’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever done – hearing these families’ stories. But despite the hardship these people invited us into their homes. They told us the most horrendous stories because they want others to hear what is happening,” Greg explained. “We met plumbers, do ctors, lawyers living in plastic tents. People were dying. The Christian churches were working alongside them – they were just there to help.”
Catalyst is aimed at 20 and 30 somethings, takes place at Glenarm Castle in County Antrim from June 26 to 28 2015. See www.catalystireland.com for details and to book.
Summer Madness takes place from July 3 to 7 at Glenarm Castle. Visit www.summermadness.co.uk for booking information.
Photos by David Cavan and Greg Fromholz.
Top – Greg Fromholz in one of the refugee camps in Dekaa Valley in Lebanon.
Middle and Bottom – Scenes from refugee camps in Lebanon.