"Who is Destroying Our Cultural Heritage?"

 The Social and Cultural Development Association (INMA), is a non-profit governmental organization, founded in 1997, which scope of activities is normally based on servicing a cluster of villages and specific neighborhoods throughout Lebanon. The projects cover health, education, environment and income generating activities. Since 1997, INMA’s projects have proven to be successful and sustainable.

 

 

Tasks and Objectives

• Create job opportunities for the inhabitants of Lebanon’s rural areas especially women through the provision of vocational training and income generating activities.
• Raise the educational level of youth and children through computer training centers and languages courses.
• Ensure essential health care services to targeted communities through an established and operational health clinic.
• Promote community-based children programs through summer camps, and safe play grounds.
• Enhance community awareness, basic rights and involvement in environmental and other development issues through workshops and conferences.
• Assist in infrastructure and housing projects development in rural areas with emphasis on environmental and cultural factors.
• Empower and assist other NGOs in their endeavor to reach their goals.

INMA has over the past years implemented projects and activities in Lebanon including:

Sustainable Projects and Activities

a.    Income Generating Programs and Agricultural Activities

• Chocolate Production
• Dry Food Production
• Rose and Flower Water Production
• Olive Oil Soap Production
• Jams and Pickles Production
• Kiwi Projects in Qlaya’a (South) and Miryata (North)
• Artichoke Projects in Taybeh and Majidieh (South), Qoubayat, Deir Nbouh and Fieh (North)

b. Health Activities

INMA’s Health Service Center includes:

• Health Clinic: Kefraya (Koura)
• covering the following specialties: Cardiology, Ophthalmology, Gynecology, Pediatrics and General Health.
• Dental clinic at Kefraya (Koura)
• Medical Laboratory at Kefraya (Koura)
• Health Awareness and Vaccination Programs in Koura and Batroun Public Schools.

c. Environmental and Educational Programs

• Bee Series Books on Civic Education (LEEN, BEE SERIES CLICKABLE TO PAGE ON BEE SERIES)
• INMA’s Libraries at Kefraya and Betroumine (Koura), Kounin (Bint Jbeil), and Haret Jandal (Chouf)
• Computer’s Center at Kefraya, Betroumine, and Kounin.

In addition to the above, INMA has conducted workshops on:

• Transparency and Accountability
• The Civil Community and the Meaning of Citizenship
• Law, Management and Development
• Open Session for all Municipality Elections Candidates in Kefraya and Neighboring Villages
• Awareness workshops on the major environmental problems and treatments in 9 villages in Baalbeck.
• Workshops aimed at raising awareness on the correct usage of the different kinds of pesticides and the treatment of plant epidemics in Nabi Othman (Baalbeck)
• Distribution of an agro-calendar for irrigation, pesticides, and soil treatment.
• Distribution of brochures on the major pests and diseases that affect rural agriculture.

d. Tourism Programs

• Distribution of “Promenade” Brochures in major Lebanese cities and over 300 villages
• Archeological Touristic maps (Saida, Sour, Baalbeck, Tripoli, Beiteddine)

INMA launches projects and carries out activities in specific areas chosen on the basis of need assessment survey that are conducted with the participation of the local community and major stakeholders.

INMA follows up on its projects through a mechanism of intervention that leads to an independent and sustainable management of the project by the local community, while continuing to offer support and technical supervision.

Tourism websites constructed by INMA and SRI: www.destinationlebanon.com and www.lebanonmaps.net in partnership with Ministry of Tourism.