Mrs. Anissa Najjar delivering her address. On her left, Miss Cleveland, then Mrs. Evelyne Bustros, honorary president
On the afternoon of Tuesday, April 23 last, a select company of the friends of the Village Welfare Society gathered at the house of the Conference of Civic Organizations in Beirut, to attend a "country-style" tea party and to listen to Miss Catherine Cleveland — the friend of the Arabs, and expert in rural affairs to the Italian government — speak of the good works she is now carrying out in the Italian countryside. It was a truly delightful and absorbing talk, in which that good-hearted woman ranged freely through examples and anecdotes of what is being accomplished, at her hands and the hands of her colleague Miss Smith, and of dozens of assistants, to raise the Italian countryside to a modern and advanced level.
Miss Cleveland did not forget to praise the mighty efforts put forth by the members of the Village Welfare Society, whose activity she had followed during her stay among us two years ago, as director of the education division of Point Four. She said that the constructive projects which in Europe rest upon the shoulders of the governments rest in Lebanon upon the shoulders of individuals — and with the same devotion, if
not more!
The president of the society, Mrs. Anissa Najjar, had welcomed those present and introduced the presidents of the committees:
Mrs. Aliya al-Saidi, president for Maaraka Mrs. Zalfa Rawda, president for Bishtfin Mrs. Raafat Arab, president for Habboush Mrs. Shamsa Frayha, president for Mounsef
The secretary gave a sketch of the society's history and of its activities in all their variety — fruit and vegetable canning, weaving, household management, and other such arts, all of which lead to raising the standard of life in the countryside and providing work for idle hands.
Before the party closed, all present expressed the wish that Lebanon might once again enjoy the services of the devoted and zealous Miss Cleveland.
On the twenty-third of April last, the well-known merchant Mr. Halim Hanna left for Europe accompanied by his wife. The purpose of this spring journey is to look after his extensive business affairs.. and then, of course, there is the fresh air and the sights of the beautiful European lands. To the two generous friends, our wishes for a happy trip.
On the occasion of Red Cross Week, its central president, Mrs. de Freige, called a press conference at her home on April 15 last and distributed a statement setting forth the most important works the association has accomplished during the last twelve years: it has founded 23 dispensaries, a pharmacy, 16 regional branches, a school for nurses, a school for children's nurses, a school for volunteer aides, a school for first-aid workers, a school for air hostesses, etc...
And the Lebanese Red Cross has
treated 902,124 patients
distributed 352,512 medicines
helped 38,137 families
and provided the necessary relief and aid in the following disasters:
1 — The Palestine disaster, May 1948
2 — The Champollion incident — December 22, 1953
3 — The Makassed fire — November 1954
4 — The Tripoli flood, December 18, 1955
5 — The earthquake — March 16, 1956
The health detachments still visit the regions weekly, and continue extending their help as emergency need requires, whether medicine, food, or clothing.
Red Cross Week will open with a great festival under the patronage of His Excellency the President