Making a Difference: A Personal Plea for Dar El Awlad
Many of you know that my heart has a special place for children's causes around the world. I've been fortunate to work with incredible organizations like Casita de Belen in Cali, Colombia, and my favorite place on earth, Aziza’s Place in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where I recently spent four months volunteering and teaching English.
My current travels have brought me to Beirut, Lebanon, where I’ve had the great pleasure of meeting the wonderful boys of Dar El Awlad. This home was started by Christian missionaries and, while Christian in its spiritual and holistic approach, it opens its doors to vulnerable children of all faiths and nationalities. The smiles of these 31 orphaned boys have completely captured my heart, and I am writing to ask for your support for this very special place.
I am acutely aware that I often ask for donations for the causes I'm involved with, and I know there are a million worthy causes to support. What I want to stress here is something I believe is critically important: the question of how your donations are actually spent.
So many organizations allocate a significant portion of their donations to administrative overhead, marketing, and fundraising—sometimes more than what goes to the actual cause you want to help. This is precisely why I make it a point to visit and experience firsthand the charities I choose to support. I need to see with my own eyes that the children are not only well-cared for and loved but also that the money is being spent wisely and allocated to the right expenses.
For example, the money we raised for Aziza’s Place this year was directed toward a specific, crucial need: providing comprehensive health insurance for the children and staff, who previously had limited access to doctors and dentists.
This kind of direct impact is what Dar El Awlad offers, too. For just $40 a month, you can sponsor one of the orphan boys. This single contribution provides a child with:
Shelter: A safe and stable home.
Food: Nutritious meals for growing bodies.
Clothing: Dignity and comfort.
Medical Care: Essential health and wellness.
Education: The tools to build a future.
You don't have to travel to remote locations to make a profound difference. Take your time to get to know the causes you support. For me, there is simply nothing more rewarding than supporting children and knowing you've made a tangible impact on their lives.
I hope you will consider supporting Dar El Awlad, a place that has come to mean the absolute world to me. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.
With gratitude,
Leila Antakly
