On International Women’s Day, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) spoke to Sister Marie Akl, a religious from the Congregation of the Good Shepherd, about her valuable work in the shelter for vulnerable young people in Nabaa, Lebanon, where children and adolescents manage to overcome their trauma through workshops, integral care and even personal defence classes.

ACN dedicates its Lenten campaign to martyrs of hope: “Martyrs of our days: witnesses of hope” is a call to show solidarity with persecuted Christians around the world. Inspired by Pope Francis’ invitation to celebrate a Jubilee of Hope, this campaign aims to highlight the fact that, despite the persecution they suffer, today’s martyrs continue to be examples of consolation, faith and hope. 

In northern Beqaa, the convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of Good Help has been transformed into a refuge for more than 800 people fleeing the bombing. The fifteen sisters from the Melkite Greek Catholic Church are welcoming hundreds of internally displaced people there, mostly Muslims, offering them not just shelter but also comfort and support.

This year more than 1,600 summer camps for young people are taking place in 18 countries ─ from Egypt and Jordan to Iraq, Georgia and Kazakhstan – thanks to funding by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) in the amount of almost 2 million euros. These camps hope to provide hope and joy, and teach a reliance on faith in the most difficult situations.