Ali Ali,founder of Lebanese Spotlight,began his career as a schoolteacher in Beirut. His deep connection with young people as part of his job opened his eyes to a significant gap in the public school system; students were not being provided with the skills or opportunities to engage with their communities. “At school in Beirut,I was assigned the responsibility for community work,” Ali explains. “It was there that I realised that these young people needed to engage with their communities and develop skills that public schools don’t offer.”
Driven by this realisation,Ali founded Lebanese Spotlight,an organisation aimed at empowering young people from marginalised communities by fostering their engagement in community work and leadership. “I felt deeply conceed that my and the voice of youth weren’t being heard,” he shares. “My students had the potential to achieve great things,and I had to do something to amplify their voices.”
Through Lebanese Spotlight,Ali sought to transform young people from impoverished neighbourhoods into leaders,providing them with the tools and support necessary to take on significant roles within their communities. “In marginalised communities,young people have the potential to become leaders,and my goal was to support them in doing that.”
One of Lebanese Spotlight’s notable initiatives is the “Disconnect to Connect Summer Camp,” focusing on mental health and well-being for youth. Ali also highlights the “Mayyel Community” initiative,which supported elderly individuals in Ras el-Nabeh and Mar Mikhael,ensuring that no one in the community was left behind. “We are not only helping the youth; we are reaching out to all parts of the community,” he says.
In addition,Lebanese Spotlight trained youth to provide life skills training to children through the “Ready Life Skills” programme. Art and well-being were also emphasised during a “tote Bag Arts” event in Karem el-Aris Park,using art as a medium to foster creativity and mental wellness.
The jouey,however,was not without its challenges. “At first,it was difficult for society to accept seeing young people working on the ground,” Ali recalls. “Securing funding and trust from donors was equally tough. We didn’t have systems or policies in place,and no one had a clue how to do that.” Despite the scepticism,the Lebanese Spotlight team was determined to prove that their efforts were not just a fleeting trend. Their focus was on building accountability and establishing policies that would allow them to function systematically and sustainably.
A significant breakthrough came about when Lebanese Spotlight partnered with DRI Lebanon. Through this collaboration,the youth organisation received training in project management,reporting,and the various stages of implementing a project from start to finish. “We leat how to describe our projects effectively,translate our impact into proposals,and be more efficient,” Ali explains. “For the first time,Lebanese Spotlight was able to put a log frame together. This training was exceptional and gave us the techniques,methodology,and workflows we needed.”
Today,Lebanese Spotlight operates with a clearer vision for long-term impact,helping young people become powerful change agents in a country where their voices are often overlooked. “This is the right time,” Ali emphasises. “With all the challenges Lebanon is facing,it’s the time to be creative,to help others,reduce stress,and tu challenges into solutions through solid planning.”
With a more organised approach,Lebanese Spotlight is on the right path to make a lasting difference in the lives of young people and the broader community. “People in Lebanon are facing immense stress and anxiety,” Ali notes. “But now,with our organised approach,we can surely make a change and have a real impact.”
Ali’s jouey from schoolteacher to founder of Lebanese Spotlight highlights the importance of youth empowerment in Lebanon and the potential for young people to become leaders in their communities. Lebanese Spotlight stands as a testament to his vision,proving that even in the most marginalised communities,young people can rise to meet the challenges of their time.