‘‘The white heads’’ is the name given by M. Taoutel, one of the founding members of the association Rifaq el-Darb, to the elderly whom he provide care with the other volunteers. Rifaq el-Darb means the road’s guides and it is the whole reason behind the association: to accompagny white heads, not to let them live in solitude and poverty and to organize parties and outings.
 

Originally, the project was initiated by few students. Every morning, an old lady used to tell them 'hello'. So they started visiting her and, little by little, created this association.

Several activities are organized. First, each volunteer is responsible for one to three white heads. He visits them every week. Then, the association organizes gatherings in St. Joseph Church to celebrate Easter, Mother's Day, Grandparents, Christmas, as well as summer camps, pilgrimages and house fitting.

All of that is financed by private donations. Before Christmas, volunteers sell greeting cards. In fact, every card sale accounts for a meal for a white head. Various actions, such as plays and film screenings, are also supportive of the association.
 

"It is a family, admits M. Taoutel, we became friends, we kiss the other on the cheeks when we see, we tell each other that we missed, if I am sick, my white head calls me at home to see if I'm alright ... " As a matter of fact, a senior is very understanding, in this regard, as he has been under the volunteer's care and enjoyed his weekly visits for seventeen years. It's more than normal to have close friendship ties

Today, there are many projects in mind to serve the elderly who are neglected by their families. Thus, M. Taoutel awaits one sign from the State which currently seems to abandon the subject.
 

Any donation, regular or punctual volunteering is welcomed. Just contact the association: info@rifaqeldarb.org
 

• Highlight

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2010-07-30

Since 1993, the association Rifaq el-Darb has been accompanying the Most isolated senior citizens of Beirut. Today, there are about forty volunteers to make weekly visits to almost one hundred people.

‘‘The white heads’’ is the name given by M. Taoutel, one of the founding members of the association Rifaq el-Darb, to the elderly whom he provide care with the other volunteers. Rifaq el-Darb means the road’s guides and it is the whole reason behind the association: to accompagny white heads, not to let them live in solitude and poverty and to organize parties and outings.
 

Originally, the project was initiated by few students. Every morning, an old lady used to tell them 'hello'. So they started visiting her and, little by little, created this association.

Several activities are organized. First, each volunteer is responsible for one to three white heads. He visits them every week. Then, the association organizes gatherings in St. Joseph Church to celebrate Easter, Mother's Day, Grandparents, Christmas, as well as summer camps, pilgrimages and house fitting.

All of that is financed by private donations. Before Christmas, volunteers sell greeting cards. In fact, every card sale accounts for a meal for a white head. Various actions, such as plays and film screenings, are also supportive of the association.
 

"It is a family, admits M. Taoutel, we became friends, we kiss the other on the cheeks when we see, we tell each other that we missed, if I am sick, my white head calls me at home to see if I'm alright ... " As a matter of fact, a senior is very understanding, in this regard, as he has been under the volunteer's care and enjoyed his weekly visits for seventeen years. It's more than normal to have close friendship ties

Today, there are many projects in mind to serve the elderly who are neglected by their families. Thus, M. Taoutel awaits one sign from the State which currently seems to abandon the subject.
 

Any donation, regular or punctual volunteering is welcomed. Just contact the association: info@rifaqeldarb.org