Beiruting News

Bassma association organized a ceremony to inaugurate the building 4476 in the Nabaa
neighborhood, Mar Doumit Street in Bourj Hammoud, as part of Bassma’s “Rebuild Beirut”
program.
The aforementioned building had collapsed and its inhabitants were evacuated, and Bassma
completely rebuilt the pillars and façades of the building in few months only, thanks to the
sponsorship of Facebook, after it was totally destroyed.
The event gathered many social personalities, namely the Mayor of Bourj Hammoud
municipality Mr. Mardig Boghossian, alongside the Head of the Beirut Forward Emergency
Room in the Lebanese Army General Fouad Obeid, President of the Bassma, Mrs. Sandra Klat
Abdelnour, as well as members of the municipality, of the Lebanese Army, inhabitants of the
building, and members of the association.
The ceremony started with the Lebanese National Anthem, then the Founder and President of
BASSMA, Mrs. Sandra Klat Abdelnour, thanked in her opening speech the Beirut FER of the
Lebanese army, the municipality of Bourj Hammoud and the donor, Facebook, for their precious
support. She then emphasized on the work that Bassma has accomplished during the past year:
“After the catastrophe that befell our beloved city, Beirut and all of Lebanon, we at Bassma
pledged from the first day, to make every effort to rebuild our dear capital. And we have
renovated 500 houses, out of which are 11 buildings during the past year”.
She also promised the building's residents that the association would stay by their side.
Then, Mr. Georges Krikorian, member of the Bourj Hammoud municipality, praised the
beautiful cooperation between the municipality, the Lebanese Army and Bassma: “We thank its
president, members, and volunteers”.
He also thanked all the bodies that supported the region and its residents, calling on them to
continue their efforts in this difficult stage.
A speech was also delivered on behalf of the residents of the building, thanking Bassma
association, the Lebanese army, the municipality of Bourj Hammoud, and the sponsors who
contributed to getting them out of their ordeal.
Following the speeches, Mrs. Abdelnour handed President Boghossian and General Obeid
trophies of appreciation, before cutting the ribbon for the opening of the building; white balloons
were then released in commemoration of the Beirut blast victims.
Bassma was founded in 2002, and believes that strong families are the foundation of a strong
society. By empowering destitute families and helping them achieve self-sufficiency, we are one
step closer to breaking the cycle of poverty.