Welcome to the World of Manara Youth Center’s Summer Program. As you enter, a beehive of activity awaits you—the energy of the teens is palpable in every corner. In the outer hall, they compete in games of foosball, ping pong, or billiards. And within this wonderland of activities, each class offers a world of its own. In the Kurdish Culture class, teens energetically dance to a folk song. In another, a group of girls crochet lovely and useful creations. In yet another, teens strategize in a mind-challenging game of chess.
From June 24 to August 8, 250 at-risk youth found an escape from their often-difficult realities and gained access to 44 unique classes. Here’s a peek into a few.
Drama Class: Unleashing Emotions
In the Drama class, students dove into drama therapy, exploring and expressing their deepest emotions. The first session featured an exercise that encouraged them to uncover past hurts, leading to powerful moments of empathy as they shared their stories.
“I was stunned by the revelations during this exercise,” said Rana, the class instructor. “I discovered new facets of these youths’ lives. With each session, I grew more appreciative of their resilience and journeys. It made me love them even more.”
Throughout the course, students expressed a spectrum of emotions—sadness, pride, anger, love—and mastered techniques for conveying these feelings on stage. They also embraced improv, allowing spontaneous creativity to release pent-up emotions. The enthusiasm and dedication were palpable, with every student eager to refine their performance.
Marvin, 16, shared, “I love the drama class with Miss Rana. Acting lets us express our feelings, and lately, we’ve been exploring anger. It’s been incredible.”
Another highlight was the Drawing Class, also led by Rana. This class culminated in a stunning art exhibition centered on YFC’s slogan: “Geared to the Times, Anchored to the Rock.” Inspired by this theme, several students created artworks with Christian motifs, showcasing their talent and faith.
Eco-Friendly Class: Community Work
Fridays in the Eco-Friendly class were action-packed. Students either embarked on hikes to discover Lebanon’s natural beauty or cleaned up urban areas, raising environmental awareness. During one outing, they distributed surveys to passersby, sparking conversations about environmental care.
ReFuse, a local social enterprise dedicated to zero-waste initiatives, provided recycling orientations. As part of their project, students collected 1,000 water bottle caps, knowing that for every ton collected, Arcenciel, a Lebanese NGO, would donate a wheelchair to a disabled person.
Petra, the class teacher and MYC tutor, instilled a deep understanding of environmental stewardship in the youth. The class aimed to transform their thinking and inspire action. Additionally, students enjoyed escaping the urban confines of Burj Hammoud to hike in nature. Haitham, 18, reflected:
“We visited breathtaking spots like Chouwen and Felougha. We also engaged in community service. One time, armed with mops, brooms, bags, and masks, we cleaned the Marina in Dbayeh. You could see us in groups of three, diligently picking up garbage.”
The Community Club complimented the Eco-Friendly class, encouraging community service. MYC students collaborated with neighbors to plant trees, add potted greenery, paint pavements, and conduct neighborhood clean-ups. The center held awareness sessions on neighborhood cleanliness, and by the end of the class, they organized an event for the neighbors to introduce them to the center’s work.