It was in January 1938 that 9 ladies of the « Lebanese Arab-Women Federation », put their heads together and decided to work in that wide and important field, « the Child-Welfare ».
After repeated conferences, we decided against the old-fashioned ways of social-secour, namely : — interrupted money-donations, irregular milk distribution, clothes on feast days etc. etc... These methods, while they may be useful in relieving temporarily the tension, are apt to cultivate a tendency of ‘dependency’ amongst the poor classess. The Committee, therefore, agreed that the best and most effective way to face the problem, would be through the founding of free day-nurseries in every quarter of the city, where, poor mothers and working-mothers in particular, could entrust their children to the care of a governess who would attend to their every need during the daytime.
Our first day-nursery was opened on March 1st, 1940, in Mousaitibah quarter. It ran all during the War and today it is taking care of 85 children of both sexes and of all sects. Two governesses, a maid and a visiting doctor attend to it regularly.
The second nursery was opened six years later in Ashrafieh quarter. We ran this nursery for two years. This year, however, the Lebanese Red-Cross has taken it upon itself to run it. We are now looking for a suitable building to open a third nursery in another quarter.
It may as well be mentioned here, that many of the women-organizations in the other towns of lebanon, adopted our programme and have opened free nurseries. The last one was opened in the town of Zahleh, only two months ago.
Our drive for a « BABY DAY » met with great approval. On that day of each year, we appeal to every man, woman or child, to stop for a second and give a thought to the poor. We ask well-to-do parents to cultivate this habit in their children at least once a year. The cost of a cinema-ticket, an ice-cream, or even an apple, little as it may seem, could still be enough
to support a child for a whole day in a nursery, - is the theme of our appeal. During « BABY-WEEK », i.e. the week preceeding « BABY-DAY », a Child-Welfare Programme is broadcasted from the Lebanese Broadcasting Station, also a press campaign is held in which many of our prominent men and women
writers and leaders take part.
Sunday April the 10th, is our « BABY-DAY » for this year. But, we are looking forward to the day when it shall become one of our National-Days in Lebanon as well as in the other Arab Countries.
