Beirut – My Heart

For two years I had the privilege to sit on the board of Hear the World Foundation.  Our mission was to deliver hearing healthcare to emerging markets and our goal was development of sustainable programs in these areas.  The opportunities I was given for travel into parts of the world I may have never ventured truly changed my life!

I had been vocal in our board meeting about supporting a request that came in for Beirut.  We were asked to provide hearing aids for the children living in the Syrian refugee camps.  Since we typically are assigned to projects in our area of specialty and my area was cochlear implants, I knew it was highly unlikely that I would be asked to support this project in the field.  However, there was a need for an extra set of hands and I was asked to go.  I was honestly nervous about traveling there and my family and friends were not exactly thrilled at the idea.  However, I knew I was meant to go on that trip.  I knew the moment I was asked that I would say yes.  And I am so glad I did.

Our team came together from all parts of the world speaking various languages. We quickly bonded and found our roles and got busy.  We were to be in the field for 5 days testing over 100 children.  Another crew was coming in a few weeks after us to fit the hearing aids.  We worked mostly out of a residential deaf school.  The children and their families came in on buses – one crew in the morning and one in the afternoon; their commute was a few hours each way.  We worked tirelessly to test as many children as possible and even some of the teachers and support staff at the school.  Those hosting us from the school treated us like their most special house guests.  There was so much love in that one “home” for us, complete strangers, and for the families and children and for our mission!

Our last evening heading back to our hotel, which was an hour away, we were all silent in the van. I had tears streaming down my face and felt overwhelmed with emotion.  I was unable to communicate with any of the refugee families, with the exception of through gestures and our interpreter.  However, what was communicated without words was unbelievable. What I saw was perseverance and tenacity and love and HOPE –   hope that we would have the answers and meet the need.  I saw moms and dads committed to getting solutions for their children  – to give them the ability to go to school and learn with their peers.  I saw young children and teens who had experienced more in their few years on earth than I would ever experience.  Some of these children were so open with sparkling eyes – ready to listen and engage with us.  And then there were some with a sadness in their eyes that I will never forget….a fear and a mistrust.

I left there knowing that while our health care system is broken in many ways, most of us have access to healthcare.  I left there knowing that there is not a simple solution to immigration in this country but that any parent I know would move heaven and earth to get their own children to safety if they found themselves in a similar situation.  I don’t pretend to be an expert (far from it) on world affairs but I know what I felt in my heart during my time in Beirut with these families.  It was equal parts inspirational and heart-breaking and I was changed forever.  I know we made a difference with our work there  – that lives were changed. It was an honor to play even a small part.

What I do know is my heart changed more by being there – by this experience – than any change I could have inspired.  My hope is that this story opens your eyes and your heart to situations and people we don’t always understand.  And we should be thankful we don’t understand…because we have not endured their experiences.

The resilience of the human spirit is incredible!  And what I witnessed in Beirut was a testament to how love and hope remains!

Given the current devastation in Beirut, I felt it timely for me to write about my experience there.  Our presence there was initiated by a business owner in Beirut who was amazing.  The people of Beirut welcomed us with open arms.

Beirut – You have my heart.