USAID’S CSP Website is Live! |
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CSP is pleased to announce the launch of its website! Now in its third year of implementation, CSP is carrying out a wide range of assistance to Lebanon’s most underserved and vulnerable communities in the North, South, and Beqaa, as well as emergency response activities in Beirut and Mount Lebanon. CSP’s portfolio currently includes more than 85 direct community support projects, more than 50 technical assistance interventions, scholarships for more than 190 students at 8 partner technical and vocational schools, and the design and implementation of at least 5 medium-to-large scale wastewater infrastructure projects.
Given the diversity of CSP’s portfolio, the website is our main platform for sharing updates on USAID’s local development and community stabilization initiatives in Lebanon funded through CSP. The website also includes videos, success stories, press releases, and other latest news. Additionally, it is a forum for anyone interested in becoming involved with CSP through its internship, scholarship, and career opportunities; and finally, it also includes an e-learning hub!
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CSP Celebrates International Women’s Day |
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International Women's Day is a global day celebrated on March 8 every year. In this month’s newsletter, we commemorate just a few of the socio-economic achievements of the women with whom we work.
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Meet Fadwa
Fadwa’s car accident left her with a permanent disability in one of her legs. Through hard work and determination, Fadwa stands today as the head of the Cooperative for the Production of Agricultural Products in Fneideq, North Lebanon. With CSP’s support, Fadwa is planning to introduce the cooperative’s more than 20 products to major supermarkets.
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CSP Enhances Transparency of Services to Akroum Farmers
CSP provided the Cooperative (COOP) Association for Production and Processing of Olives in Akroum and Surroundings, North Lebanon with an oil separator and a generator to increase the olive oil production capabilities of 600 farmers. In parallel, CSP also installed a new accounting software, digitizing the COOP’s bookkeeping and generating reliable financial reports and comparative historical data. This resulted in the COOP creating a new job for part-time accountants to ensure the proper usage of the system. “We don’t have to worry about paper loss or archiving anymore. This system enhanced the transparency of our finances by allowing the members to share, access, and compare data with just a few clicks,” says Ali Esber, head of the COOP.
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Photo: The newly hired accountant working on the new accounting software at
the Cooperative Association for Production and Processing of Olives in Akroum and Surroundings
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CSP Distributes Tablets to Facilitate Technical and Vocational Online Learning for Scholarship Recipients
CSP is providing computer tablets to 190 scholarship recipients at eight different technical and vocational institutions across Lebanon. Under its workforce development component, CSP is offering enhanced career opportunities for at least 1,000 Lebanese residents in Beqaa, North, and South Lebanon. “Thank you for offering me the opportunity to continue my studies and supporting me during these difficult times. This tablet is extremely valuable as it helps me follow my online classes,” said Sally Ahmad Raed, a Baccalaureate Technique (BT3) nursing student at Foyer de l’Amitié Technical Institute (Beqaa).
Photo: Sally Ahmad Raed, a BT3 student, receives
her tablet at Foyer de l’Amitie, Beqaa.
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Photo: Students at Foyer de l’Amitie, Beqaa, after receiving their tablets to facilitate access to online classes. |
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Meet CSP Staff
Meet Carole Soueidi, civil and environmental engineer and CSP’s Construction Supervisor for wastewater management projects. After spending six years in the structural design field in the private sector, Carol managed to reach her career aspirations by shifting to a mission-driven job. “I always sought a job opportunity which allows me to contribute my knowledge and skills to benefit my country and provide support to its underserved citizens, while always seeking to be able to give hope and progressively improve the lives of the individuals struggling with economic inequality and social tension”. Carol has been successfully following her father’s advice to ‘care about what you do’ in her career. “Working on CSP turned out to be a very significant move in my career through which I learned that when you care about what you do, it becomes more motivating to progress as you will be reinforcing tasks and actions that you are truly excited about”.
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USAID’s CSP trained the members of the all-women Jdaidet Al Qaitaa Cooperative, North Lebanon, on standardizing its line of products, including mixed pickles, fig jam, concentrated lemonade, pizza sauce, and pickled eggplants. In partnership with USAID’s University Scholarship Program (USP), CSP also assigned a graphic design intern from the Lebanese American University (LAU) to support the cooperative in creating a visual identity and brand as part of their marketing strategy. “All our products are compliant to safety standards. We are producing good quality, clean, and delicious food”, says Khadija Mohamad Khodor, member of the cooperative.
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Photo: Khadija Mohamad Khodor, member of the Jdaidet
Al Qaitaa Cooperative, records an interview while preparing
pickled eggplants – Photo by Ranim Abdel Kader
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