A Dream for Lebanon’s Children: A Kindergarten for Healing and Hope

Lebanon has endured heartbreak and devastation, and no one has suffered more than its children.

Many have lost their homes, their loved ones, and the safe, carefree childhood every child deserves.
These children—orphans, displaced families, and young ones burdened by war—are at the heart of this campaign.

These children carry the weight of grief and fear that no child should ever bear. While
shelters and basic aid provide immediate relief, what these children need most is a space to heal,
rediscover joy, and rebuild their sense of safety.

For years, I’ve dreamed of building a kindergarten in Lebanon, a place that goes beyond traditional
education, a place where children can find healing, joy, and belonging. I always imagined it as something far off in the future, something I’d pursue when I had the resources and time to make it happen. But in the wake of the war that has shaken Lebanon, this dream has taken on a new meaning. It is no longer just about fulfilling a vision—it has become a response to a desperate need, and the time to act is now.

Who I Am

My name is Zeina, a Music Therapist and a certified Emergency Pedagogue from the Friends of Waldorf (Freunde der Erziehungskunst Rudolf Steiners). I hold a bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from Antonine University and am currently pursuing a master’s degree in Educational Management. I have
worked with children for over five years in various settings, including schools, refugee camps, and
community centers, helping them reconnect with the joy of learning and living. My work has involved supporting children with diverse behavioral challenges and disorders, guiding them to process trauma, rebuild their sense of self, and rediscover hope and resilience.

During the recent war in Lebanon, I was displaced like so many others, experiencing firsthand the fear, uncertainty, and insecurity that come with war. Under the bombings, I kept working closely with children in shelters and displacement centers. From a place of deep empathy, I could relate to every feeling they were experiencing—their fear, anger, grief, and longing for safety. This perspective gave me a profound understanding of what these children need to heal and move forward.

My work using emergency pedagogy techniques during the war proved Waldorf’s approach to
transformative power. I witnessed children rediscover a sense of safety and joy amidst chaos. These methods offer much more than temporary relief—they provide tools for long-term resilience and emotional recovery.

One moment will stay with me forever. A young girl approached me in one of the shelters, clutching a piece of paper. She had recently lost her mother and twelve members of her family in the war. Her drawing was of an “∞” shape, a form we had practiced together during our session. The paper was crumpled with tear dots on it. She told me, “Thank you for teaching me this. Whenever I miss my mom, I pick up a pen and start drawing it. I will love her forever, just like this shape goes on and on.”

Her words touched me deeply, showing me how something as simple as form drawing could become a lifeline for a child in despair. It was a reminder of how simple yet powerful these creative tools are, offering a sense of connection, expression, and healing even in the darkest times.

While sharing my experiences with a Waldorf teacher in Australia, they reflected on something truly profound:
“It’s beautiful how the same activities we do in our classrooms with children who have everything— are the same activities that bring healing and joy to children in war zones who have lost so much.” This is the power of Waldorf education.

These words stayed with me. They reminded me of the universal impact of this approach and its
potential to transform lives.

Given all that, my dream has now evolved into establishing a kindergarten inspired by the Waldorf Philosophy.

What is the Waldorf Approach?
Waldorf education, developed by Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner, is a holistic, child-centered approach that integrates art, music, storytelling, and nature to nurture a child’s body, mind, and spirit. It recognizes that education is not just about academic achievement but also about emotional and social well-being.

Steiner once said:
“Receive the children in reverence, educate them in love, and send them forth in freedom.”

This is the guiding principle behind Waldorf education. It emphasizes creativity, empathy, and
resilience—qualities that children in Lebanon, especially those affected by war, so desperately need.

This kindergarten will embrace the rhythm and routine central to the Waldorf philosophy, providing children with a predictable structure that fosters security and confidence. Activities will include natural and creative practices such as free drawing, form drawing, working with clay and wool, and exploring more materials from nature, offering children opportunities for tactile engagement and self-expression.

The curriculum will also incorporate eurythmy-inspired movement, free play, outdoor play,
storytelling, and music, all tailored to help children process emotions, develop physical coordination, and build social connections. These elements are invaluable for children recovering from trauma, as they nurture creativity, resilience, and emotional healing in a gentle, age-appropriate way.

Why This Kindergarten Matters Now

Lebanon has been ravaged by years of political instability, economic crisis, the Beirut Blast, and, most recently, the devastating effects of war. In the aftermath, countless children are left displaced, orphaned, and deeply traumatized.

The emotional and psychological scars left by war are deep, and for children who have experienced
such trauma, occasional psychosocial support interventions are essential but not enough. In Lebanon, mental health and emotional well-being are often not prioritized as much as academic achievement. Therefore, I decided to combine both—offering not just education but a space that nurtures emotional resilience and healing. The Waldorf approach naturally blends these two elements – By integrating art,
music, movement, and storytelling into the curriculum, children will have a safe space to express their emotions and process their experiences.

The Waldorf approach is almost non-existent in Lebanon, with only two institutions offering it, they both operate either in refugee camps or outside of the Beirut area, this means that children who have been directly affected by the recent war will not have access to this type of transformative education.
This is what this kindergarten aims to fill.

This isn’t just about providing education for a few years—this is about creating a sustainable foundation that will support generations of children. The kindergarten will be built with the long-term goal of fostering a community of learners who grow up with a deep sense of connection to themselves, to others, and to their culture. Through this approach, we will raise a generation that is equipped to heal
the wounds of war and lead Lebanon into a more peaceful, compassionate future.

This kindergarten will also extend its impact beyond the children by becoming a resource for the community. We will host workshops for parents to equip them with tools to support their own and their children’s healing and provide training opportunities for educators to grow into compassionate, skilled teachers who can sustain this vision.

How Your Support Will Help Kickstart This Dream

This campaign is asking for $20,000—a crucial and impactful step to lay the foundation for this
kindergarten. This is just the beginning of a long-term vision to create a sanctuary for children to heal, grow, and learn.

Your contributions will help:
• Secure a Safe Space: Covering the first few months of rent to provide a nurturing environment for children to learn and thrive.
• Equip the Classrooms: Purchasing essential art supplies, storytelling tools, and natural
materials to create a creative, healing atmosphere.
• Train Educators: Supporting the training of teachers in therapeutic and artistic methods
inspired by Waldorf practices, ensuring they are equipped to guide children with love and care.
• Handle Administrative Setup: Covering permits, registrations, and initial operational costs to
get the kindergarten off the ground.

Every dollar contributes to this dream, whether it’s buying a box of crayons, a storytelling tool, or
training a teacher. By contributing to this cause, you are not only donating to a project—you are helping to lay the foundation for a brighter future for Lebanon’s children.
Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a significant difference. It will have a lasting impact, not only on the children who attend but on future generations of children who will benefit from this nurturing environment.

This is more than a fundraiser—it’s a movement for hope, healing, and change.

Please donate and share this campaign with your friends, family, and networks. Your support brings us one step closer to creating this sanctuary of hope.

Thank you for believing in this dream and for standing with Lebanon’s children.
With love and gratitude,

Zeina