The Ras Beirut Institute of Music and Drawing in the Service of the Blind, the Deaf, and the Mute

The Ras Beirut Institute of Music and Drawing issued invitations, on May 9 and 10 last, to a program of musical and theatrical varieties held in Irwin Hall at Beirut College for Women..

The hall was not crowded with attendance; even so, the party was honored, in all modesty, by Mrs. Zalfa Chamoun — for the proceeds were for the benefit of the blind, and the First Lady of Lebanon is known for her special tenderness toward these creatures deprived of the light of the eyes; she has spread her arms open before them in compassion and encouragement.

It was plain to those who attended the party what great effort had been exerted by those in charge of it, foremost among them the head of the institute, Mr. Sami Salibi, and the head of the government institute for the blind, Miss Widad Baroudi.

It is worth mentioning that Miss Baroudi has a special humane inclination toward teaching and helping the "handicapped" — the blind, the mute, and the deaf. She specialized in America in the teaching of this unfortunate class, and her teacher, Mr. Salibi, wished to help her clear her rugged path, so he offered her a place in his institute, into which she accepted nine blind pupils and four deaf-mutes. With these she began her practical services, and of these she made a sound nucleus for a larger institute. And the sight of the blind and the deaf and the mute singing and performing was one that brought tears to the eyes and set hearts beating.

It is a singular humane work; we thank all who carried it out, and the credit goes back to Miss Widad Baroudi and to her unique institute.