Breaking Chains: “Empowering Youth Against Tobacco Through Art and Adventure”

Following the success of the “Quick Impact Project” through the establishment of a community library in Arsoun and the provision of a generator to address electricity shortages, the Arousn Youth Committee, under the objective of “Social Stability”, took the initiative to organise a community event with a focus on ending tobacco usage. Their primary aim was to introduce wholesome alternatives to tobacco consumption, including outdoor activities such as hiking in nature, music appreciation, engaging in art through painting, and participating in various board games.

Youth RESOLVE 2 (YR2) is the second EU-funded project aiming to empower youth by providing them with the tools to become leading actors in their communities. It is implemented by World Vision, UTOPIA, DPNA and GAME.

The event began with a hike through the valley of Arsoun village, where participants explored historical sites.

"We organised this event with the intention of raising awareness among the youth in Arsoun about the importance of refraining from tobacco use. We have noticed that more young people in our town and across Lebanon are using cigarettes and tobacco products, especially among the younger generation. This might be due to the stress caused by the current situation in the country” said Arsoun Youth Community member, Sandy.

Jamil, a member of the municipality of Arsoun said: "Personally, I strongly oppose tobacco consumption, and as a leading advocate, I fully support this event organised by the Arsoun Youth Committee. I express my gratitude to World Vision for their support and confidence in our community”.

Following the valley hike, a community event took place, featuring stations with food, board games, painting, and drawing activities. The intention was to divert the attendees from tobacco consumption while providing entertainment and introducing healthier alternatives that wouldn't compromise their health.

“While assessing the needs of our community, we realized that health ranks as the second priority after education. This realisation prompted us to consider highlighting this concern, which led to the idea for the event,” stated Julie, a youth volunteer.

Julie added “our work as a youth committee will continue beyond the programme. I am deeply satisfied with the outcomes and I have a sense of pride in what we have accomplished in our community”.

“From the very beginning of establishing the Arsoun Youth Committee, we believed in their success. This came from our belief that young people possess valuable potential that can greatly benefit the entire community.” Raja, head of Arsoun Municipality.

He added: “I believe that the youth in Arsoun have had a significant experience, much like a turning point. Today, they witnessed their own capabilities, which will undoubtedly boost their confidence in achieving greater things. As I mentioned earlier in several occasions, the youth in Arsoun had the privilege of receiving continuous support from World Vision staff throughout the process, starting from the basic training, all the way to the execution and their well-being. If World Vision were to adopt a similar approach in other communities like they did in Arsoun, I'm confident that it would bring about positive outcomes to the society.”