PI (100%): Educate to Empower: Empowering 2,990 Individuals through Education in Zahle. ltpgtUnder Pillar I, this project has developed a comprehensive strategy to target several critical areas of concern within the region of Zahle. It focuses on addressing the existing disparities and deficiencies in education within Zahle. This includes providing and implementing targeted retention support programs to enhance learning outcomes for children at risk of dropping out of school. The project also seeks to improve the overall well-being of the children and their caregivers. This involves PSS/SEL and awareness sessions promoting the importance of education, positive parenting, health, nutrition, and addressing issues related to mental health and emotional well-being. By tackling these factors, the project aims to elevate the overall quality of life for the individuals.ltbrgtThe proposed intervention will promote access to inclusive educational opportunities for a targeted group of 2,400 vulnerable Lebanese, refugee children, migrants and children with disabilities, affected by the crisis spread across different areas of Zahle, including Saadneyel, Taalabaya, Majdel Anjar, and Qab Elias. By focusing on these specific locations, the project can have a more localized and impactful approach, tailored to the unique needs and circumstances of the people living in these areas.  By addressing the gaps in education and enhancing well-being, the project aspires to create a positive and sustainable impact on the lives of the individuals it serves in Zahle.ltbrgtPrior to launching, and to avoid overlap with running education programs in Zahle, Ana Aqra will coordinate with the Education Sector and implementing partners, such as AVSI, in addition to coordinating with and referring to other organizations such as ANERA for essential services and food security.ltbrgtAna Aqra will initially, conduct outreach activities to reach out to vulnerable children who will take part in the programs and identify children who need to be referred to necessary services.ltbrgtThroughout the 2023-2024 academic year, 1100 boys and girls (grades1-6) at-risk of dropping-out from 6 public schools, identified as having priority needs across Zahle, will be provided with retention support, in community centers.ltbrgtFurthermore, in response to the ongoing crisis in Lebanon and the accumulating learning losses over the years, a catch-up Supplementary Summer Program will be provided during 2024, the program will reach 600 boys and girls (grades1-6), at-risk of dropping-out from 4 public schools (formal education), identified as having priority needs within Zahle region, and provide them with supplementary summer program learning and wellbeing activities, in community centers.ltbrgtAn additional retention support cycle will be provided during the first phase of the academic year 2024-2025. 700 boys and girls (grades1-6) at-risk of dropping-out from 6 public schools, identified as having priority needs across Zahle, will be provided with retention support, in community centers.ltbrgtAll programs will be inclusive to children with disabilities (CWD), 3% of the total targeted children will be children with learning difficulties or disabilities. In addition, the retention support program  the supplementary summer program will be reinforced by the distribution of teaching  learning materials, daily transportation and a daily healthy snacks.ltbrgtTraining will be provided to teachers and facilitators involved in the implementation of education programs, focusing on enhancing program quality. Additionally, a total of 590, 360 (retention 1) and 230 (retention 2) caregivers will engage awareness sessions, the primary goal of these sessions is to provide caregivers with practical methodologies and parenting skills that contribute to enhancing the well-being of their children and safeguarding them from potential risks and harm.ltspan style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif"gtlt/spangtlt/pgtltpgtlt/pgt