How food assistance supports Mona and her family

Mona’s life in Lebanon is a constant balancing act, with one urgent need always competing with another. Both her parents have passed away, and most of her eleven siblings are married and live elsewhere. She now lives with two of her brothers. One has a disability and relies on her for all his care needs, while the other is older and unable to find work.

Her caring responsibilities prevent her from taking a job. The family depends on financial support from a younger brother and assistance from Dorcas Lebanon.

Her brother with a disability needs physiotherapy, but the family cannot afford it. Food is another daily struggle. Meat has almost disappeared from their meals, fruit is unaffordable and sometimes they can only buy vegetables one at a time. Even cooking gas has become a major expense, making it difficult to provide nutritious meals.

Since receiving support from Dorcas, however, some of this pressure has eased. Mona now receives a hot meal every week. The support means more to her than the food itself. She recalls craving baked kibbeh, and having it delivered to her door that same week. She also remembers receiving a pizza that felt more like a surprise than assistance.

‘It feels like a mother’s cooking, not food from an organisation,’ she says. Having lost her own mother, she finds this personal touch particularly comforting. The meals also free up money for other essential expenses.

Living with loss

Mona has experienced significant loss. Her sister, whom she describes as ‘the family’s backbone’, passed away during the years of conflict. More recently, she also lost her mother and a young niece. Despite the many challenges she faces, Mona values the support she receives from Dorcas.

‘You never feel needy,’ she says. ‘You keep your dignity.’

The Dorcas staff ask how she is doing and invite her to take part in activities. These personal connections make the centre feel more like a family than an institution. Attending a course also helped Mona recognise her own value and rebuild her confidence, encouraging her to continue caring for others.