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Lebanon, Bar Elias
Acronis School in Lebanon
Construction period: March 2019

Facts

Type of facility

School constructed of large, stable tents with three classrooms and one toilet

Students

250

Budget

€12,000

NGO partner

Education

Academic year

October – June (for primary to post-secondary education levels)

 

Project implementation

The small country of Lebanon hosts more than 1 million Syrian refugees, more than half of whom are children, often called the “lost generation”. In their flight from war at home, these children have missed years of schooling, and some have never had access to an education. Organizations on the ground trying to provide these children with an informal education need to be creative, because permanent infrastructures for refugees are forbidden. Due to poverty and harsh living conditions, these Syrian children often work in the fields to help provide for their families.

To support these students, the Acronis Cyber Foundation partnered with German NGO Zeltschule e.V. on the construction of a dependable school that doesn’t break regulations. The school is comprised of large, stable tents, and gives more than 250 children the opportunity to learn and grow.

Students are schooled in two shifts, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. To ensure class attendance, each student family receives food packages, so they won’t need to rely on their children’s salaries for survival. In 2021, Acronis supported the school by donating 12 computers so that children can attend online classes through state schools, in order to qualify for entrance to universities.

News from the project

Our school, our stories – Tent school in Bar Elias,…
A school community is not just a building. It’s the various individuals and groups who are invested in the welfare and vitality of the school,…
Our school, our stories – Tent school in Bar Elias,…
A school community is not just a building. It’s the various individuals and groups who are invested in the welfare and vitality of the school,…
The Acronis school in Lebanon never closes its door
It’s heartening to hear from our refugee school community in Lebanon. The tent school is now a safe space for children to pursue knowledge and…
Acronis School in Lebanon: The Opening
The Acronis Foundation is proud to announce the opening of a school in Lebanon. The school for Syrian refugees was developed in cooperation with…

About the country

Country

The Lebanese Republic

Capital city

Beirut

Population

6.8 million people

Currency

Lebanese pound (LBP)

Major languages

Arabic, Syrian

Travel information

Lebanon has a moderate Mediterranean climate. In coastal areas, winters are generally cool and rainy whilst summers are hot and humid. In more elevated areas, temperatures usually drop below freezing during the winter with heavy snow cover that remains until early summer on the higher mountaintops. Although most of Lebanon receives a relatively large amount of rainfall, the weather in Bar Elias is known for its dryness. It’s rarely humid or raining in Bar Elias in the summer. The summers are very warm, with temperatures reaching 40°C (104°F). The winters are rather cold, also characterized by heavy snows.

Travel tips

Hotel recommendations

Bar Elias: Layali Al Shams Hotel, Delora Hotel and Suites

Beirut: Ramada by Wyndham Downtown Beirut, Hilton Beirut Downtown, Radisson Blu Martinez Beirut, Four Seasons Hotel Beirut

Beit ed-Dine: BEYt el Jabal, Deir al Oumara

Places to eat

Bar Elias: Al Shams Restaurant in Anjar, Amaleen Restaurant, Lakkis Farm Lebanon fast food

Beirut: History Bar, Café Em Nazih, Enab Restaurant, Bay Rock Cafe

Beit ed-Dine: Beit el Jabal Restaurant,  Ghandour Fadoul Saj, New Garbatella Restaurant

Sidon: Saida Rest House Restaurant, Zawat Restaurant

Best souvenirs from the country

Books by local authors, Sarah’s Bag, sweets, roasted nuts, coffee and accessories, Rana Salam’s home decoration items, wood carvings, artisanal clothing, Art 7ake merchandise, wine

Taxi

Beirut: Charlie taxi

Bar Elias: Bekaa taxi  

Beit ed-Dine: Farhat travel +961 76 456 729

Car rent in Beirut: Advanced Car Rental , Budget

Travel agencies

Natour Travel Agency

Interpreting services

Interpreters.travel 

Proposed one week tour

Day 1: Zaitunay Bay and Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque in Beirut, Raouche Rocks

Day 2: Jeita Grotto

Day 3: Al Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve, arrival to Bar Elias

Day 4: School visit

Day 5: Anjar tour, Château Ksara

Day 6: Trip to Moussa Castle, Beit ed-Dine town tour (Al Mir Casem Castle, Saydet Al Talle Church, Prophet Elijah Greek Melkite Church)

Day 7: Jezzine Waterfall, Tourist Landmark of the Resistance, Sidon Sea Castle, return to Beirut

Help by donating
If you believe in our mission and want to make an impact, you can support the Acronis Schools Initiative