Ryan Baki '22 and his cousin, Thomas, who lives in Dubai, are making a positive impact in the world by raising money to help the people of Lebanon.

From Ryan:

On August 4, 2020, Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, experienced the largest non-nuclear explosion in the history of mankind. The blast was triggered by the ignition of around 2,750 metric tons of ammonium nitrate stored in the city’s port which devastated much of the capital, killed over 220 people, wounded over 7,000 people, and left more than 300,000 homeless. This massive explosion was so powerful that it was felt over 250 km away, left a smoking crater stretching more than 700 feet, and was registered as a 3.3-magnitude earthquake.  120 schools were destroyed and two major hospitals were damaged. In addition to the devastating blast, Lebanon is also facing a political and financial crisis, sending half of the population under the poverty line, while also battling the global pandemic. 

If it were not for the Covid-19 pandemic, Thomas and I would have been taking summer classes at the American University of Beirut at the time of the explosion. As we watched the devastation unfold, we immediately knew we wanted to help. Due to the current political and financial crisis, the Lebanese people are solely relying on global humanitarian aid and NGOs to deliver food and medical aid. After careful research, we felt the NGO that best fit our mission was Arcenciel USA, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, providing a bridge for US-based individuals, institutions, and corporations to connect with and support Lebanon’s most underprivileged and marginalized communities, regardless of religion, political affiliation or nationality. Arcenciel USA will support at-risk communities in Lebanon through Arcenciel Lebanon which, since its inception in 1985, provides focused programming on youth empowerment, mobility and health, sustainable agriculture and environment, responsible tourism and social support.

To learn more about Arcencial USA you can visit them on Facebook: arcencielUSA or on Instagram: aecusa

To learn how you can partner with Ryan, please visit the link below.