ORPHANS WILL MISS THEIR IRISH CHARM
Based on an article by Lara Sukhtian, The Daily Star
Adapted and printed with the permission of the author

On the entrance wall of an orphanage in the southern town of Tibnin, a painted leprechaun smiles at visitors. This is a Lebanese orphanage for Lebanese children, but it has been adopted by the Irish battalion of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

"Financially, emotionally, and otherwise, the Irish have been a major support system for the people of the South," said Mohammed Fawwaz, director of the orphanage.

Peacekeeping is a large part of the job description of UNIFIL forces in south Lebanon. Troops patrol the border and maintain the peace when they can. But their job is also to provide humanitarian aid - and the Irish battalion has gone above the call of duty to involve themselves in the lives of the people of Tibnin, where the Irish battalion is based.

Initially built by the Dutch UNIFIL battalion in 1979, the Tibnin orphanage - home away from home for 82 children between the ages of 4 and 15 - closed down in the early 1980s after the escalation of the war. But in 1990, thanks to the relentless support of the Irish battalion, the orphanage once again opened its doors.

"If it wasn't for the Irish, the orphanage would not be here today," said Fawwaz. "We are forever indebted to them."

A few minutes' drive from the Irish base camp stands the humble four-storey orphanage, equipped and supported by grants from the Irish government and personal donations from the Irish soldiers. From electricity, water, fuel and salaries, to food, clothing, beds and appliances, the children's needs are all met by the Irish donations. The Irish battalion also bought two buses for the orphanage, paid for a large, fully equipped new kitchen, and built a playground.

But the assistance does not stop there. When Israel bombed the South in 1993 and then again in 1996, forcing many Tibnin residents to flee their homes, Irish soldiers moved in with the children at the orphanage until the situation calmed down. On a less serious note, Irish soldiers spent their spare time painting the hallways of the orphanage to add some color to the gray walls.

"This is the least we can do for them," said Commandant Ger Aherne, military information officer of the battalion on his third rotation in Lebanon. "The people of the South need all the assistance they can get."

"We feel and live with these people through the good and bad," said Aherne. "They're like family to us." More than peacekeeping, the Irish of Tibnin have become part of the people - living, working, educating, and protecting them through the difficulties of the war.

"We are one family," said Fawwaz, echoing Aherne's sentiments. "We are one family with one home. When they leave they will be truly missed."

Indeed they will. Although the Ministry of Social Affairs gives yearly financial assistance to the orphanage, it is not enough. The question of what will happen to the children when the Irish leave permanently in November looms heavy in Tibnin. "We really don't know yet," said Fawwaz, "but there's going to be a big problem."

"If [the new] school is open by then, I imagine many of our kids will be transferred there," said Aherne. "But nothing is for sure. The fate of these children is yet unknown."

The departure of the Irish battalion will be felt not only by the orphans. Every week, Irish UNIFIL soldiers travel to schools and community centres educating people on the dangers of handling war debris. "We show them pictures of unexploded shells and explain what they should do when they come into contact with them," said Commandant Lawrence Devaney, who is on his second UNIFIL mission.

Said Aherne, "I know our job is done here, but it will be very hard to leave."