For the Sake of Our Juveniles

Our children have many troubles, and our juveniles have more; and the most important point here is that while dozens of associations toil and labor for the sake of children, one single association works alone for the sake of juvenile minors: the "Union for the Protection of Juveniles in Lebanon," presided over by the venerable Mrs. Alice Nakkash.

At about this time every year, it has been the custom for this Union to call its annual general assembly, at which it presents a report on its work during the past year.

This year's meeting fell on the evening of the tenth of December last, under the patronage of the First Lady, who has never ceased to watch tenderly over our various humanitarian and social associations, with the tenderness and self-sacrifice for which she is known.

Those present heard two engaging talks. The first was given by Mr. Mustafa al-Awji, president of the juvenile court in Beirut, on the subject: "Delinquent Juveniles in Lebanon." He set forth the endeavors and attempts the Union makes to protect our delinquent juveniles from straying into the paths of evil and corruption, which drive them inevitably to crime. And he called for a comprehensive social awareness to ward off this danger.

The second talk was given by the social worker Miss Georgette Abi Samra, just returned from a long journey to Europe during which she acquainted herself with the effective assistance that the civil and governmental institutions there give to delinquent juveniles, especially in France and England. The talk showed Miss Abi Samra to be broad in her knowledge and deeply versed in her subject, presenting and citing useful proposals that we might adopt in order to raise the standard of life of the delinquent juvenile, after the example of the advanced countries.