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Day 22~ February 22nd~ Lebanon

barred in

Each time I go back to Lebanon I find myself stunned again and again at the amount of talent, creativity and ‘ability to do’ that lives in the Lebanese people. These are people that love life so much that they can celebrate it in a million unique ways. But the greatest mystery of all and the most difficult thing to understand is how a country of bright minds can allow corruption to still rule the day. For example, in Lebanon today and since the end of the civil war in 1991, homes still have to tolerate unreasonable rationing and live without power for several hours every day. Those in charge blame it on the aftereffects of the war and people have no choice but to live with fabrications that not only rob them of their rights but also lock them into impossible situations that limit their capabilities to express their fountain of creativity. I know that corruption finds fertile ground in almsot all developing countries, but it hurts endlessly to see it infecting my beloved jewel of the middle east.

photo taken: small boy in window~ North Lebanon

By ~mimo~

Photographer, Art searcher, Motion Designer, traveler.

42 replies on “Day 22~ February 22nd~ Lebanon”

Well, I’m happy to report that in the last two and a half years, four of my loans through Kiva have gone to Lenanon. That’s not much, but many more people are supporting that way.

Mimo – I wanted to tell you about this amazing Lebanese company begun by a French/Lebanese designer. She creates beautiful pieces out of old gates, tiles, things that are being discarded. Along with that the company hires the marginalized and disabled to create – Restoring the Beauty to the Broken. https://www.facebook.com/pages/beyt-by-2b-design/145930582119192
And here is a post I wrote about it. I think you’d love taking a look at this company! http://communicatingacrossboundariesblog.com/2011/11/18/18th-century-gates-candlesticks-restoring-the-broken-in-lebanon/

This is really touching. I can relate this to the situation in my country as well.
Corruption and selfish leaders have snatched the basic human rights of our people.. specially the poor, middle and lower middle class suffers….

Let’s play our role towards a better tomorrow…
I think that hoping for a change without struggling for it is a crime.

I think it’s because we, the Lebanese, are sadly lazy.. We all have massive amounts of energy, talent & creativity, but we tend to give up on using these towards the enhancement of our beloved county. It is sad that we all think that it’s vain to try to change the political and social corruption that are deeply rooted in our communities… Instead, we indulge more & more in the creation of the best of arts, music, parties, whatever businesses they allow us to succeed in… etc.

So true.. Soon hopefully, all we need to do is spread awareness that history should not repeat itself, that we should learn from the mistakes of those who preceded us. Hopefully we’re on the right track now.. 🙂

What a beautiful photograph. I was stunned by how visible the effects of the war still were even ten years ago, I’m amazed that this is still the case. I do recall the regular blackouts – they would usually happen while I was half way through writing a long email. But as you say, the people have amazing resilience and spirit in spite of these difficulties.

A time will come when people will stand up and say enough is enough. Don’t expect it from leaders, though once the people demand change and refuse to stand down new champions might stand up to govern. There is never any telling which straw is the one that ends up breaking the camel’s back!

This is also what make’s me crazy: the incredible amount of corruption and the narrow thinking.
yet i came back each year to my second home.
amazing picture,you are incredibile.

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