NORWAC has been working with Imam Sadr Foundation, Tyr, Lebanon (ISF) for 25 years. The foundation started its work in South Lebanon in the 1960s with the objective of offering education and health services to poor families. Amongst other things, they are running a well renowned nursing college and several health clinics in the south. Rabab Sadr is the director of the foundation.
In 2007, NORWAC and ISF started a new cooperation in order to develop a programme for post graduate education in psycho-social health work. This represents groundbreaking work in Lebanon. 15 students were admitted, most of them nurses working in different organisations involved in this field. The programme has been managed by teachers from Imam Sadr Foundation and the specialist teachers have been Lebanese as well as two Norwegians; Psychiatrist Svein Staff and the nurse Venke Aarethun, specialised within psychological health.
Image: Rabab Sadr and the newly educated special nurses at ISF, Tyr
In January 2010, the ten first students received their diploma at a solemn and beautiful ceremony in Tyr. The Norwegian Ambassador, Aud Lise Norheim, held a speech where she praised the initiative and mentioned the need for programs and promotions within mental health was significant and largely uncovered in Lebanon, especially in the south. The ten new graduates will be followed up during the first year with guidance from Lebanese professionals. A new group of students are admitted and have already begun with lectures and group work. ISF is working to get the Ministry of Health to approve the programme as a formal specialist education.
Ambassador Aud Lise Norheim with |
Students, teachers and leaders |
Beirut 24. 01.2010
Synne Holan
