Gilberte: ‘I stand up for the right to safety’

Gilberte (63) participates in a project of Dorcas Lebanon.

Gilberte: ‘I stand up for safety because the situation in Lebanon is very insecure. I currently live alone and have no contact with my family due to a family conflict. This made me realise how much I need the support of others in the struggles I face and to be surrounded by people who care for me.’

‘Dorcas has supported me in many ways. For example, I receive food parcels and am enrolled in the hot meals programme. This support has restored my dignity and self-worth because I no longer struggle to meet my basic food needs. Also, my health has improved thanks to the good meals I receive, so now my health costs are less.’

‘I also joined a club Dorcas runs for older people. Since I joined, my social life has improved a lot! My new friends care about me, and I can share my concerns with them. When I take part in club activities, I feel appreciated by the other participants and the staff. They provide me with a sense of security that I really missed and make me feel at home. My overall sense of wellbeing and confidence have improved, and I want to be involved in any new activities that are organised.’

‘I stand up for the right to safety because I wish to live in a country where I do not have to think about how to have a stable and safe life at this age. I look forward to the day that there is no more conflict in Lebanon. But until then, I hope that Dorcas will keep on supporting people like me so that we feel safe, protected and loved.’ 

𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘋𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘢𝘴’ 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘨𝘯. 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘦. Human Rights: Contributing to a just society – Dorcas

18 December 2023