May 2002

	The end of the school year is drawing near and 38 of our children are still with us, a record! We've had fewer children abandon their studies than the previous years. Nearly all the children of the first and second year have remained, but several third year students left before the end of the school year, often because of their parents who wanted to put them to work.
	Two girls, "graduates" of our classes last year, are completing successfully hairdressing school and will be doing an in-service in a neighborhood salon in Beirut. This is our first educational success leading to vocational training for our children.
	The Ministry of Social Affairs has taken the initiative to contact us to propose vocational training for our graduating boys of this year in electricity and automotive.
	We are without school facilities for the coming school year. An entire floor of a neighborhood school close to the shantytown is available, and we are currently negotiating with the owner to obtain this facility at a reasonable rental price. Thank you for praying for this subject.

	Maha (12) and her sister Qamar (2 1/2) will be operated on 31 May. This involves eye surgery to correct a congenital problem of dislocation of the crystalline lens. The girls only see currently vague forms, soon they will discover the world! Pray for the success of the operation and for the necessary funding. A donor has already contributed $2250, allowing for the operation on one eye for each of the two girls. A second operation will be necessary a few weeks later and will cost the same amount, that we do not yet have in hand. The Lebanese eye surgeon is taking no fees for himself and the hospital is giving us a significant discount. We are grateful to all.
	With a gift from Sweden, transmitted through Tahaddi France, we were able to purchase a new EKG machine. The previously donated one was no longer functioning at all.
	Blood analysis equipment was also renewed thanks to a gift from the USA. The dispensary is now well-equipped.
	We are looking for a physician to replace Agnès in July and August while she is in the USA. We hope to find an experienced resident medical student from the French university hospital Hôtel Dieu de France.