The Goguikian Foundation celebrated the launch event of its pilot recycling project for Bourj Hammoud, "Ready, Set, Recycle!" on Saturday, October 12th, from 10am to 1pm.
The Municipality of Bourj Hammoud closed part of the street in front of the Municipality for the duration of the launch event. This event included a street fair, with booths set up for universities and environmental NGOs, each showcasing interactive projects for the participants, as well as booths for local artists displaying their projects using recycled material.
There was a stage where, throughout the event, school dance-clubs and bands, local bands, singers and magicians showcased their talents with various performances.
"For the first time in Lebanon, we see local residents and local businesses, schools and NGOs, local government and national government collaborating on a recycling pilot project," explains Soheila Hayek, the Executive Director of the Goguikian Foundation. "The Municipality of Bourj Hammoud has shown great foresight for the welfare of the community and the country to partner with us in this truly unique project."
This project was designed by the Foundation's scholarship recipients, working in partnership with the Municipality of Bourj Hammoud, the Ministry of the Environment, eight local schools, and local banks and businesses.
It will run for a period of 12 months during which paper, plastic and aluminum will be collected. Local partners include NGOs such as TERRE Liban and Arcenciel, as well as local associations such as the Armenian Red Cross, Karageusian and Jinishian Foundation, among others.
During the life of the project, students will establish environmental clubs in 8 local schools and run an awareness campaign on the importance of recycling, in partnership with the Ministry of the Environment and TERRE Liban.
The Goguikian Foundation is an apolitical, non-religious and non-profit philanthropic foundation registered with the Interior Ministry of the Lebanese Government (Reg. No. 1720). It encourages active citizenship and the civic engagement of Lebanese Armenians by supporting university education, providing specialized training, offering Arabic language courses, and promoting devotion to service, community and country.
