Under the patronage of Bishops Maroun Ammar and Elias Haddad, and in the presence of Caritas Lebanon President Father Michel Abboud, the Beit Georgette & Hanna Romanos Center for Specialized Education, dedicated to children with learning disabilities in Lebaa-Jezzine, organized a Christmas celebration on Monday, December 30, 2024.
The event was attended by Mr. Fadi Romanos, the mayor of Lebbaa, Father Jihad Francis, the school director and representative of Bishop Elias Haddad, Father Joseph Wakim, the representative of Bishop Maroun Ammar, Mr. Raymond Romanos, Mrs. Céline Azar, as well as the parents of the students, the staff, and the teachers, with a large gathering of friends and supporters.
The celebration began with a speech by Father Michel Abboud, who expressed his gratitude to Father Jihad Francis for his wise management and tireless efforts in developing the school. He also praised the dedication of the staff who contribute to supporting children with special needs, emphasizing that these children represent the core of Caritas’ humanitarian mission.
“During Christmas, we draw lessons from the figures in the Gospel, such as Mary and Joseph, who faced hardships with perseverance and faith, the shepherds who worked hard to fulfill their mission, and the Magi whose wisdom led them on their journey to the Christ the Savior.”
Father Abboud also thanked the Romanos family, particularly Mr. Fadi Romanos, describing their ongoing support as “a blessing from God.”
The celebration included a variety of performances by the school’s students, showcasing dances, songs, and activities that reflected their efforts in developing physical and emotional skills.
In his speech, Father Jihad Francis emphasized that these performances were the result of intensive training throughout the year, supervised by a dedicated team working hard to achieve the school’s educational goals.
Mr. Maroun Romanos delivered a speech on behalf of the family, emphasizing the importance of collaboration to serve those in need, considering this work as “a blessing from God.” He also expressed gratitude to Caritas and the school administration for their steadfast commitment to supporting children and developing the school.
The event concluded with a lunch hosted by Mr. Fadi Romanos to honor the staff and supporters, amidst an atmosphere of joy and gratitude. The overall event embodied the true message of Christmas: a message of giving and love.