Post by DebiCates on Aug 1, 2005 15:55:04 GMT -5
Here is a recent article by Jocelyn Campbell, published at the friends.org site.
www.thefriend.org/articledisplay.asp?articleid=493
Brummana high school alive and well
Lebanese Quaker school continues to make a valuable contribution
I know there are many Friends who have worked or visited Brummana high school in the past (or indeed have heard of it with interest), but who no longer have news of the school's progress.
I was somewhat shocked on re-reading John Punshon's excellent Portrait in Grey to see it stated that the school had closed. Like the Windmill, BHS never closed. It is true that during the 17 years of conflict Quaker Peace & Service handed responsibility to a local Lebanese group for 15 years. It had become almost impossible to govern from Britain with the nearly complete collapse of communication. Added to that, the school had drastically changed in character owing to its location in the Maronite Christian area of the country. No Muslim or other confessional group was safe there, so the boarding department, which catered for students from all over Lebanon and the Arab world, was forced to close, leaving the school as a purely local day school.
The school continued under the supervision of this interim committee during these difficult times of civil war and invasion by Israel. When the fighting stopped in 1990, pressure was put on British Friends to return and take responsibility for the school. By then QPS priorities had changed and it was decided to form a Quaker charitable Trust, independent of Britain Yearly Meeting, with a less 'hands on' influence on the school.
Since 1997 the Quaker international education trust (QuIET) has been responsible not only for the property, but for the appointment of a governing board in Lebanon who are in charge of all aspects of the school, educational and financial. The governors come from all communities and confessions; several are Old Scholars who reflect the values they took from their own days in the Friends' school.
There are now about 900 students from nursery age to university entrance. The boarding houses are reopened and numbers of boarders are increasing each year with students coming from different countries.
Another duty of QuIET directors is to ensure that the as far as possible the school continues in the traditions of its Quaker founders. We are fortunate in having a Lebanese principal who, though not a Friend, is very anxious to encourage and uphold the values of the Society of Friends. When the conflict in Iraq began, schools in Lebanon went on strike to demonstrate against the invasion. BHS students wished to join them, but instead Walid Khoury arranged a meeting of students, staff and friends to discuss their point of views and feelings. He read the Quaker Peace Testimony. The occasion ended with a candle-lit vigil held on the sports field in view of the village, and the sky, with the word peace spelt out in candles held by the participants.
Walid Khoury is very anxious to have one or more Quakers in the school as Friends in residence, to strengthen Quaker values and uphold the small Brummana Friends Meeting. He also hopes to be able to appoint an English teacher (preferably a Friend) next year. I would be happy to answer any questions I can on this (Tel: 01748 884 698).
The school has tremendous support from the old scholars, parents and friends. They have helped with funds for building projects, improving educational standards, and bursaries.
For a 130 years the school has stood for encouraging the understanding of the value of all men and women of whatever race, creed, sex or class.
Like most Lebanese schools it is fee-paying, but many students rely on bursaries.
It is very heartening to attend occasions when Old Scholars gather in Brummana from all over the world. To see those, who in other circumstances one would expect to be enemies, greet each other with joy and affection is quite inspiring. After years of civil war what greater gift can BHS give to its students than the opportunity for friendship and understanding among the diverse Christian groups, Muslims, Druzes, Shiites and others from many countries; among academics, businessmen, workers, men and women.
I recently was invited as chair of QuIET to receive, on behalf of the school, a presidential award in recognition of the part Brummana high school has played over the years and once again contributing as an institution of the greatest importance for the Middle East.
To see the school regaining its place as one of the top schools in this region is very encouraging.
I hope readers will be heartened to know that BHS is alive and well.
Jocelyn M Campbell, chairperson, QuIET
www.thefriend.org/articledisplay.asp?articleid=493
Brummana high school alive and well
Lebanese Quaker school continues to make a valuable contribution
I know there are many Friends who have worked or visited Brummana high school in the past (or indeed have heard of it with interest), but who no longer have news of the school's progress.
I was somewhat shocked on re-reading John Punshon's excellent Portrait in Grey to see it stated that the school had closed. Like the Windmill, BHS never closed. It is true that during the 17 years of conflict Quaker Peace & Service handed responsibility to a local Lebanese group for 15 years. It had become almost impossible to govern from Britain with the nearly complete collapse of communication. Added to that, the school had drastically changed in character owing to its location in the Maronite Christian area of the country. No Muslim or other confessional group was safe there, so the boarding department, which catered for students from all over Lebanon and the Arab world, was forced to close, leaving the school as a purely local day school.
The school continued under the supervision of this interim committee during these difficult times of civil war and invasion by Israel. When the fighting stopped in 1990, pressure was put on British Friends to return and take responsibility for the school. By then QPS priorities had changed and it was decided to form a Quaker charitable Trust, independent of Britain Yearly Meeting, with a less 'hands on' influence on the school.
Since 1997 the Quaker international education trust (QuIET) has been responsible not only for the property, but for the appointment of a governing board in Lebanon who are in charge of all aspects of the school, educational and financial. The governors come from all communities and confessions; several are Old Scholars who reflect the values they took from their own days in the Friends' school.
There are now about 900 students from nursery age to university entrance. The boarding houses are reopened and numbers of boarders are increasing each year with students coming from different countries.
Another duty of QuIET directors is to ensure that the as far as possible the school continues in the traditions of its Quaker founders. We are fortunate in having a Lebanese principal who, though not a Friend, is very anxious to encourage and uphold the values of the Society of Friends. When the conflict in Iraq began, schools in Lebanon went on strike to demonstrate against the invasion. BHS students wished to join them, but instead Walid Khoury arranged a meeting of students, staff and friends to discuss their point of views and feelings. He read the Quaker Peace Testimony. The occasion ended with a candle-lit vigil held on the sports field in view of the village, and the sky, with the word peace spelt out in candles held by the participants.
Walid Khoury is very anxious to have one or more Quakers in the school as Friends in residence, to strengthen Quaker values and uphold the small Brummana Friends Meeting. He also hopes to be able to appoint an English teacher (preferably a Friend) next year. I would be happy to answer any questions I can on this (Tel: 01748 884 698).
The school has tremendous support from the old scholars, parents and friends. They have helped with funds for building projects, improving educational standards, and bursaries.
For a 130 years the school has stood for encouraging the understanding of the value of all men and women of whatever race, creed, sex or class.
Like most Lebanese schools it is fee-paying, but many students rely on bursaries.
It is very heartening to attend occasions when Old Scholars gather in Brummana from all over the world. To see those, who in other circumstances one would expect to be enemies, greet each other with joy and affection is quite inspiring. After years of civil war what greater gift can BHS give to its students than the opportunity for friendship and understanding among the diverse Christian groups, Muslims, Druzes, Shiites and others from many countries; among academics, businessmen, workers, men and women.
I recently was invited as chair of QuIET to receive, on behalf of the school, a presidential award in recognition of the part Brummana high school has played over the years and once again contributing as an institution of the greatest importance for the Middle East.
To see the school regaining its place as one of the top schools in this region is very encouraging.
I hope readers will be heartened to know that BHS is alive and well.
Jocelyn M Campbell, chairperson, QuIET