Volume 7/ April 2002

• Editorial by H.E. Mr. Michel Pharaon
• New EDF Board Members
• Special Training Session for Former Detainees
• Graduates
• Pauline Irani's On-Going Project
• EDF News

Editorial by H.E. Mr. Michel Pharaon

The Entrepreneurial Training Foundation is part of a long chain of initiatives aiming at developing our rural communities and giving their local workforce a chance to survive in an evolving economic environment. Where, the rules of the game change quickly and fiercely, increasing the number of disadvantaged citizens, communities and regions.

These initiatives, which are supported by business-men and women, institutions and regional and international agencies, have a considerable chance of success in a country where entrepreneurship is part of the culture, but where there is a lack of proper training and financial support. Thus, the efforts of EDF in the underprivileged areas of the country, which suffer from a lack of sufficient business opportunities, are very relevant. Micro initiatives such as EDF are playing a pioneering role in providing basic tools of success for those who otherwise would not be privy to them. Thus, breaking the chain of despair and replacing it by a positive driving force, where the youth aspirations are materialized.

Lebanon still lacks the vision for developing its key economic sectors such as agriculture, artisanat and tourism, which could benefit rural areas, and where individual initiatives can be leveraged for the benefit of such communities. Despite the difficult regional situation, the opening up of our economy and the enforcement of Arab and international economic and trade agreements, there is a great deal to be done to upgrade and enhance the local workforce. Lebanon enjoys an acceptable basic education level among its youth, compared to developing countries in general, but these valuable resources are not properly oriented to suit the needs of a growing economy, especially in rural areas. The technical and professional education study being conducted by the World Bank, should hopefully bring about better understanding and insights for what needs to be done in this respect. EDF’s strong track record over its first two and a half years of operation, merits the attention of the government, regional and international agencies and foundations, and the business community at large. I, therefore, encourage all those who have supported EDF, and others who are in a position to do so, to help realize EDF’s ambitious goals for creating opportunities in rural communities through the start up of relevant and economically viable small businesses.

With best regards,

Michel Pharaon
Treasurer

Special Training Session for Former Detainees

In a bid to support former detainees of Israeli prisons and help create productive opportunities for them, the Entrepreneurial Training Foundation held a training program in Brummana, in collaboration with the International Labor Organization. Twenty-five young men and women participated in the training session which gave them the opportunity to strengthen their skills and update their knowledge.

The session also helped participants develop greater confidence and hope that they could rely on for carving out a better future. The educational level of participants and their enthusiastic participation during discussions made the session a great success, and proved participants' eagerness to compensate for years of detention.

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Graduates

Hasib Abdul-Hamid Abed Maksoud   Saniyah Abou Dalleh Hussein Mukashar   Rana Awada Yehia Munzer   Ahlam Awada Majid Munzer   Abdulgharib Baydoun Nassar Munzer   Bechara Bechara Ghassan Saeed   Jaafar Dib Ali Al-Safawi   Ayyad Ghanawi Tayseer Shaaban   Abdulamir Halawi Chehab Shdeed   Yaser Halawi Mahmoud Sulaiman   Abdulkarim Humayed Adel Yaakoub   Nazek Ismaeel Hafizah Younes   Nahla Karim top Pauline Irani's On-Going Projects. With her love for nature, Pauline Irani wished to carry out a project that would give her the chance to plant trees and encourage others to do the same. So what better than starting a tree nursery in her village Araya -Mount Lebanon. With the EDF loan, Pauline set out to buy fruit-bearing tree saplings, ornamental and aromatic plants, and vegetable shoots as well as other material required for starting up a nursery. "We are also going in the forest and collecting dead leaves from which we can make mulch which we could sell," she said. Pauline has positive things to say about EDF: "Bravo for their effort, they're giving us an opportunity to materialize our ideas and dreams," she added. top EDF NEWS EDF provided five computers to five trainees who participated in the training sessions late last year* Hiba Atallah, a business administration graduate, expressed her gratefulness for the opportunity to participate in one of the training sessions and to receive a computer. "Whatever we learnt at university was very theoretical," she said, "the EDF training gave us the practical skills. "We learnt so many things, it was very intensive and really beneficial," she added. "The training taught me to deal better with my clients and gave me greater confidence, besides, EDF's donation of a computer came right on time, I don't own a computer, but I need one to search on the internet, and manage my shop," she said. Samer Hijazi, too, considered the training and computer he received as "very helpful". Although he had studied computer programming at technical school, he was taken prisoner by Israeli forces shortly before he sat for his official exams. "After a seven-year absence, a lot has changed, that's why the training was very important." He said. Samer is currently taking additional computer classes to improve his skills so he could join a company within a few months. Lamia al-Mawla, Dareen Badr and Majid Mounzir were also the recipients of three computers which they are using for their work. *Those computers were donated to EDF by Libancell and Mr. Nabil Harfoush. top EDF’s Targeted Areas for 2002 Training & Loan Programs   Jbeil/Batroun Western Beqaa Beirut Jezzine Baalbek/Hermel Metn Akkar Chouf   EDF’s Updated Training Program for the Year 2002   Phase I : Duration 3 days (21 – 24 training hours) Introduction to Small Businesses Introduction to Accounting & Book-Keeping Starting a Small Business Financing Small Businesses Private Enterprise System Organization and Management of Small Businesses Pricing and Marketing Legal & Fiscal responsibilities   At the end of phase I and during the one- week period between phase I and II , trainees will be given special assignments concerning their business plans, including thorough discussions with their trainers, in order to be properly presented.   Phase II : Duration 3 days (21 – 24 training hours) Use of Computers in Small Businesses Introduction to the Internet and E-mail Developping a Business Plan Business Ethics & Environmental Responsibilities Success and Failure in Small Businesses   Trainees are required to submit their business plans within three to four weeks from the end of phase II.   top