As the first few weeks of the war on Lebanon unfolded, LAU faculty, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, staff and alumni put their skills, expertise and knowledge to the service of those impacted. Students, too, swiftly built up their own arsenal to revive hope through creativity and resourcefulness.

From their home base of the LAU Byblos campus, students organized blood donation campaigns, entertainment and therapy sessions at schools sheltering the displaced, and in-kind donation drives for food, clothing, medications and hygienic necessities.

The student initiatives, said Principal Student Life Project Manager on the Byblos campus Alan Kairouz, “created social bonding, while simultaneously lifting the spirits of those families and our students.”

The ongoing initiatives felt wholesome for Ali Majed, a medical student. “Thanks to shared efforts and the contribution of donors, we were able to secure critical drugs for a patient suffering from prostate cancer, who is currently sheltering at a public school in Byblos,” he said, adding that these acts of kindness to the displaced extend beyond material value to “restore a sense of dignity and to let them know that we are sharing their struggles.”

Some of the activities included organizing weekly sports tournaments, musical performances, board games and therapy sessions with LAU Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry Wael Salame. These interventions offered a mental and physical respite for the children and adults alike. 

“Seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces and hearing their laughter gave us all a renewed sense of purpose,” said Georgio Nassar, a computer engineering student and president of the Developer Student Club. “This was a powerful reminder of how an act of kindness, no matter how small, can go a long way.”

Believing deeply in the LAU mission to empower the students, remarked Assistant Student Life Project Manager Joy El Helou, “not only inspires them but also impacts the children and families we serve, and proves that unity is our greatest strength.”

In Beirut, where the security and commuting concerns are considerably higher, LAU Student Life Project Manager Lamis El Droubi explained that the university decided to restrict the students’ activities within campus.

Dozens of students, through their clubs or acting on personal initiative, jumped at the opportunity of serving others from within LAU and its welcoming environment. They spread across campus, designating the Upper Gate area as a collection point, and splitting up into teams that were charged with sorting first-aid supplies, medications, food items, daily essentials and clothes. The parcels were then given to the Lebanese Red Cross, the Lebanese Food Bank and the Beirut Marathon Association for distribution.

“Living in a world where it is easy to feel disheartened, community service serves as a reminder that together, we can create ripples of positive change, even in the darkest of times, since resistance is not only on the frontlines of battle, but also in the simple acts that defy violence and hatred,” noted graduate student Anhal Kozhaya.

The friends that were made along the way, and the enriching opportunities to meet classmates from other majors, were a key highlight for Sama Al Khal, a communications student. “I am a very sociable person, and this experience allowed me to meet people I never would have talked to if it were not for this student initiative,” she said, adding: “I have genuinely gained amazing friendships.”

The tipping point for economics student Karim Salman came as he witnessed firsthand those who were forced to leave their homes. He is also volunteering with the Lebanese Red Cross as part of the Psychological First Aid program, where he contributes through activities meant to boost the morale of those displaced. For him, the experience is humbling and serves as a reminder that “offering help, wherever and whenever possible, can make a significant difference.”

The students admitted to facing challenges while coordinating all the efforts, which they overcame by leaning on faculty and staff mentors, and each other. From Byblos to Beirut, the resounding message, worded neatly by political science and international affairs student Lynn El Hadi, was: “Our mission right now is to place our differences aside and help our people, motivated by two core values that should be deeply engraved in every Lebanese: humanity and unity.”