Noor Noora A Magazine for Everyone By

Noor & Noora: A Magazine for Everyone By Reine Youssef, Ph. D. University of Balamand Faculty of Health Sciences UOBRC Research Seminar Balamand May 09, 2004

Background • The Mc. Govern-Dole International Food for Education & Child Nutrition Program (FFE) is administered by the US Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service • ü ü Key objectives of the FFE program: Promote food security Promote child development Improve literacy Improve primary education Reine Youssef, Ph. D. UOBRC Research Seminar June 09, 2004

How FFE works • Projects within recipient countries are conducted by non-profit charitable organizations, cooperatives and international organizations • In Lebanon, the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is executing the project in 180 public schools during the scholastic year 2003/ 04 • Mid-morning meals are distributed to students on a daily basis • The programme also includes an important educational component Reine Youssef, Ph. D. UOBRC Research Seminar June 09, 2004

FFE: Previous Experience at Uo. B • The programme is not new to Uo. B, as this is the third scholastic year that Uo. B prepares and implements the educational component of it • During 2001/ 02, the programme was implemented in 92 public schools and consisted of two components: mid-morning snacks (nutritional) & a booklet related to environmental & health topics (educational) • During 2002/ 03, cuts on budget reduced school number to 54. The programme included the usual snacks in addition to an agenda Reine Youssef, Ph. D. UOBRC Research Seminar June 09, 2004

Educational Component of FFE: Noor & Noora Magazine • Noor & Noora magazine was prepared within the context of the School Feeding and Education Program (SFEP 03 -04) implemented by the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) in partnership with the University of Balamand – Faculty of Health Sciences (Uo. B-FHS) and the Ministry of Education (Mo. Ed) • It was distributed to ~ 22. 000 students at public schools enrolled in the programme all over Lebanon (North, South, Nabatiyeh, Beirut, & Mount Lebanon) Reine Youssef, Ph. D. UOBRC Research Seminar June 09, 2004

Noor & Noora: The team • The magazine was prepared in collaboration with: ü A team at FHS ü A team at Mo. Ed ü A experts’ pannel of university professors, a school teacher, a theater producer, and a children’s bookshop owner ü An external support team of two school teachers ü A team of illustrators ü A team of graphic designers ü An Arabic language expert Reine Youssef, Ph. D. UOBRC Research Seminar June 09, 2004

Objectives of Magazine • The magazine targets children between ages eight and twelve • It aims at: ü Promoting reading among children ü Developing interpersonal-social skills ü Developing higher thinking skills ü Increasing awareness in environment related topics ü Increasing awareness in health related topics ü Increasing awareness related to civics related issues ü Providing children with an alternative during leisure time ü And more… Reine Youssef, Ph. D. UOBRC Research Seminar June 09, 2004

How is the magazine structured? • The magazine is made up of 24 pages, in addition to a 4 page-parents’ booklet and a cut-out game • The magazine is divided into 12 parts, which cover topics ranging from children’s rights and community work to municipal elections , passing by solid waste management and non-traditional career paths • The magazine is structured around themes • Each theme is treated using a different pedagogical method (Comic strip, hand craft, puzzle, etc. ) Reine Youssef, Ph. D. UOBRC Research Seminar June 09, 2004

NOOR & NOORA: Contents (1) Part 1: “It is My Right” l. Concentrates on the rights of the child, specifically the right to schooling, a clean environment, peace, and expression of feelings and opinion l. The magazine addresses the issue of the child’s rights in an narrative manner. Characters tell the reader about their personal experience regarding each of the above mentioned rights Reine Youssef, Ph. D. UOBRC Research Seminar June 09, 2004

NOOR & NOORA: Contents (2) Part 2: “What do You Think Caused the Death of the Birds of Kfarmit? ” • Is a detective game, which uncovers the complexity of environmental issues, such as the use of pesticides, and management of industrial and hazardous wastes • The setting of the game is a town called Kfarmit, where birds are dying. The head of municipality has called for an urgent meeting to solve this enigma • The child is supposed to help out the inhabitants find out what caused the death of the birds • In order to do so, the child should solve riddles and puzzles related to the text Reine Youssef, Ph. D. UOBRC Research Seminar June 09, 2004

Noor & Noora: Contents (3) Part 3: “Give your friend the bird a house”! • Recycling through craftwork • Promoting recycled objects • Protecting birds • Using resources sustainably • Saving money • And more… Reine Youssef, Ph. D. UOBRC Research Seminar June 09, 2004

Noor & Noora: Contents (4) Part 4: “Loubna doesn’t want to go to school” • Adapted from Lamblin’s Samira ne veut pas aller à l’école (Nathan edition) • A comic strip through which children discover the importance of schooling • While addressing a serious issue, this comic strip allows the reader a laughter and some “mischievous” adventures with Hamish Reine Youssef, Ph. D. UOBRC Research Seminar June 09, 2004

Noor & Noora: Contents (5) Part 5: “When I Graduate from School” • Again importance of schooling is stressed • Career paths • Careers chosen are not “traditional” • Vocational training/ university education: both are important • Follow your passion • Join the dots to discover what tools the characters use in their career Reine Youssef, Ph. D. UOBRC Research Seminar June 09, 2004

Noor & Noora: Contents (6) Part 6: “What Did You Get? Let’s Play!” • Environmental concepts and issues tackled through an origami/ craftwork traditional children game. • Translated from the children’s website of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Reine Youssef, Ph. D. UOBRC Research Seminar June 09, 2004

Noor & Noora: Contents (7) Part 7: “Let’s Eat!” • The issue of healthy nutrition tackled through a song • The song is taken from a theater play that was especially prepared for the programme as part of the educational component Reine Youssef, Ph. D. UOBRC Research Seminar June 09, 2004

Noor & Noora: Contents (8) Part 8: “Doody the Earthworm” • Doody, the main character in this short comic strip, teaches children to recycle organic material through composting • The story is meant to generate a wider effect among the audience (which is not just kids) Reine Youssef, Ph. D. UOBRC Research Seminar June 09, 2004

Noor & Noora: Contents (9) Part 9: “From the News of the Environment & Health Club at Kfarmit School” • Aims at promoting environmental school clubs • This part is written in form of minutes of the School club • Introduces many concepts among which cooperation and community projects • The kids are responsible for carrying out a recycling project in collaboration with the municipality of Kfarmit, parents, inhabitants, etc. Reine Youssef, Ph. D. UOBRC Research Seminar June 09, 2004

Noor & Noora: Contents (10) Part 10: “On the Margin” • This part is about the making of the magazine • Hamish is a character that probably many marginalized kids at school would identify with • The page intends at making children laugh • Children’s (and human) rights are once more tackled indirectly Reine Youssef, Ph. D. UOBRC Research Seminar June 09, 2004

Noor & Noora: Contents (11) Part 11: The Pyramid of Happiness • The pyramid of happiness is based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and constitutes an attempt to integrate all concepts covered in the magazine • In fact, to construct their individual pyramid of happiness, children have to refer to the different parts of the magazine • Concepts of physical & mental health, relationships with the self and with others, citizens’ rights & duties, and self-realization through arts are covered in this game Reine Youssef, Ph. D. UOBRC Research Seminar June 09, 2004

Noor & Noora: Parents’ Guide • Education is not unidirectional • Parents’ guide addresses safety issues at and around the home, such as fire and poisonning prevention • It also stresses parents’ participation in school life Reine Youssef, Ph. D. UOBRC Research Seminar June 09, 2004

Noor & Noora: Impact Assessment • Focus group study is being conducted at the moment among a sample of students to assess impact • Results will be published Reine Youssef, Ph. D. UOBRC Research Seminar June 09, 2004

Thank you for listening Reine Youssef, Ph. D. UOBRC Research Seminar June 09, 2004