Hope & Transformation: A Summer in Lebanon

In this episode of Journey of Hope, host Elio Constantine welcomes Tom Atima, co-founder of Heart for Lebanon, to discuss the impactful Summer of Hope Program. This initiative has provided over 2,500 children in Lebanon with a summer filled with joy, education, and the love of Christ amidst the country's ongoing challenges. Tom shares the origins and strategy behind Summer of Hope, emphasizing the importance of giving children positive activities during the summer months. He highlights the transformative power of Hope, contrasting it with mere optimism, and explains how the Program instills virtues, character traits, and a Christ-like mindset in the children.We hear the touching story of Shahed, an eleven-year-old girl from Syria, whose life was changed through the Hope on Wheels Program. Shahed's journey from being a bully to a compassionate helper exemplifies the profound impact of the Summer of Hope.Tom and Elio also discuss the broader Children-at-Risk initiative, which runs year-round, and the future plans to enroll many of these children in the H.O.P.E. (Helping Overcome Poverty through Education) Program. This Program provides a holistic education, including academic classes, character development, and discipleship, preparing children to become positive influencers in their communities.To check out a recap video of this Summer of Hope, click here.Feel free to email us at podcast@heartforlebanon.org with any comments or suggestions, and don't forget to share this podcast to help us reach 50 more subscribers by the end of the year!