On the occasion of the remembrance of Lebanon’s Independence, Nov. 22, we welcome the testimony of the Board of the school Ecole des Sœurs de la Charité, Besançon – Baabda, Lebanon.

Just a few hundred meters from the war-torn areas, our pupils, who have witnessed the violence, are living the momentum of independence with unprecedented fervor.

Like St. Jeanne Antide, whose history has marked them, they draw indomitable strength from their faith. Their songs, dances and poems, vibrant with love for Lebanon, testify to their unwavering determination.

Beyond words, the pupils translated their commitment into concrete actions: they decorated windows throughout the school with Lebanese flags, carefully fashioned into doves, a symbol of peace. They expressed their love for the school and the country through poems they created themselves and recited in class in an atmosphere of national pride.

Sister Wafaa invited a group of singers to brighten everyone’s day. Her initiative was a real success, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the school. Students, teachers and staff expressed their joy by singing and dancing together. For them, the school is an oasis of peace and Lebanon, as they see it, will never die. Like the phoenix, it will always be reborn stronger and more beautiful.

Faced with the tragedy of families losing their homes to the bombings, the entire educational community joined forces to provide essential support: beds, clothes, food and school books were made available so that the children could continue their education.

Encouraged by the principal and their cycle leader, the secondary school students came together in an extraordinary show of solidarity, organizing a collection outside local supermarkets.

The purpose of their initiative was to collect food and basic necessities to help families affected by the devastation of war. Through their efforts and the generosity of the community, these young people demonstrated that compassion and mutual aid can make a difference in times of crisis.

Empathy and compassion drive us to act on behalf of the most vulnerable.

Following the example of St. Jeanne Antide, we turned our independence into a concrete commitment to others.

War brought destruction, but it did not extinguish the flame of joy burning in our hearts. We celebrated our independence with even more pride, demonstrating the strength of our spirit and our determination to build a better future”.

The Board of the school