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The Father Andeweg Institute for the Deaf (FAID) is an old institution with a new vision.
FAID was founded in 1957 by Dutch Anglican clergyman Rev.Dr.Arie J. Andeweg, who has devoted his life to caring for and training the deaf.
FAID is a private, non profit organization with no political affiliations . It is one of the most prominent deaf education centers in the Middle East. FAID is now considered a model school for deaf people in the Middle East. Schools for deaf people in other Arab countries appeared several years, even decades, later.
FAID has educated 2,755 deaf children ( age 3 – 18 ) through the 50 years of its foundation. FAID has a long-standing policy of accepting staff and students on the basis of merit, regardless of religion, nationality, race or gender, and the staff and students are of many religious and social backgrounds and from all sections of the community, thus ensuring a wide social mix.
The aim of the Institute is to provide oral education, habilitation and other services for deaf children of all cultures and religions without any discrimination; to create a world where every deaf child is loved and protected and in which every child can develop to her/his full potential.
The school is run on oral basis and the students are encouraged to use speech at all times. The children are taught to speak, both Arabic and English. This is achieved through the extensive use of a speech and hearing department with speech viewers, an ear mould laboratory and a cochlear implant habilitation center.
Every available means of communication is used to encourage and enable our pupils to interact and communicate effectively, on equal terms with their peers. Our goal is to foster positive interaction, communication, development of skills and understanding and optimum independence.
Our educational program is primarily set to fulfill the requirements of the Lebanese Ministry of Education. The school prepares its students for the Brevet and the Baccalaureate diplomas.
The school comprises: Nursery, Kindergarten, Elementary School, Intermediate school and a Secondary school.
FAID offers boarding accommodations for students who find it inconvenient to commute to school on a daily basis. The dorms are indeed a comfortable home for our boarding students where their needs are attended to.
Throughout its history, FAID has had a well-established boarding section. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds.
Life in the boarding school is a unique experience for our students . As they experience the responsibilities and pleasures of communal life, our students become more self-reliant and self-confident. Working together to build a peaceful and harmonious community, they learn the need for self-discipline and care for others.
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"We are very glad to have been able to take part in supporting your efforts. I understand that since its foundation in 1957, this Institute had educated approximately 2700 hearing-impaired children and youths form various regions of Lebanon. During these years, the school has acquired and maintained an excellent reputation in both, the academic and vocational fields, despite the economic crisis and political uncertainties in Lebanon at that time."
Mr. Matsushiro Horiguchi
Japanese Ambassador in Beirut
June 1999
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"I wish the Institute well and can fully recommend the Institute to all those who are considering to assist this body financially or otherwise in its worthy endeavours, which deserve only praise."
Jan Piet Kleiweg de Zwaan
Netherlands Ambassador in Beirut
May, 2001
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"I am so glad that we were able to support you. All the best for your continuing efforts to help the hearing-impaired children in Lebanon."
Giezela Kaempffe-Sikora
German Ambassador in Beirut
February, 2003
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"The blare of the outside world can not enter this place. Your institute is holy for its brings back the real sound of words. Charity enables a disability to give life. You are the witness that a human being can cultivate well in his heart and sole. I hope that you don't loose your enthusiasm and fulfill all your dreams."
André Lahoud
First Lady of Lebanon
August, 2003
The Legal status of the Father Andeweg Institute for the Deaf
The Father Andeweg Institute for the Deaf is a non-profit organization founded by Father Andeweg in view of helping handicapped, i.e. mainly the deaf. It is governed by the law of Societies, currently enforced in Lebanon.
The Institute was granted a Presidential Decree on September 25, 1962. It is formed of a General Assembly, out of which an Executive Committee (Board of Directors) is elected annually in a meeting where a quorum is attained. Quorum is attained when at least 51% of the members of the Society are present.
The general management of the Society is entrusted to an Executive Committee consisting of:A president, a Vice President, a Secretary, a Treasurer and Counselors, the number of which is limited to a maximum of six members.
The founder of this Society the late and regretted Father Andeweg has, up to his death, always been a member of the above committee.
Every year, during the month of January, the Institute shall have to submit the names of the members of the General Assembly, the budgets of the current year, as well as a prospective budget for the following year.
Elections of the Executive Committee take place annually. All above documents are registered at the Ministry of Interior, who, according to recent laws, is represented by an official during elections.
An official affidavit is delivered annually by the Ministry of Interior approving the names of the members of the Executive Committee, together with their positions.
Members of the Board:
o Mr. George Fernaine - Chairperson
o Mr. Toufik Takchi – Secretary
o Mr. Milad Rizk – Treasurer
o Dr. Elie Antoun – Academic advisor
o Mr. Tanious Feghali - Member
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