“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa
The Department of Sciences at the Faculty of Natural and Applied Science (FNAS), Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU), in collaboration with the Department of Community Service and Awareness (CSA) and Office of Student Affairs (SAO) at NDU, launched on November 8, 2017, the ongoing series of events titled, “Together Against Hunger,” as part of the Zero Hunger Challenge (UN- SDG#2). This initiative aims to positively influence behavioral intention and to combat global hunger and poverty.
The audience and speakers were invited to fast till noon in solidarity with the hungry. In attendance were: Guest of Honor Tony Baroud, NDU President Fr. Pierre Najem, Vice-President for Academic Affairs at NDU Dr. Elie Badr, Board of Trustees (BOT) at NDU Chairperson Ronald Farra, BOT Secretary at NDU Mona Kanaan, FNAS Dean at NDU Dr. George Eid, Dean of Students at NDU Joyce Menassa, Assistant Professor at NDU Dr. Esther Ghanem, Mission de vie representatives, and students, deans, faculty, and staff.
Majed Bou Hadir heading the Department of Community Service and Awareness hosted the event. He said, “This sustainability initiative was fulfilled through the power of love.”
Fr. Najem opened the conference with a prayer, and the audience and speakers broke their fast with a modest meal of bread and soup, as a symbol to reignite spiritual solidary among NDU community members. Fr. Najem said, “Be kind and serve one another with love.”
For his part, Baroud said, “We were taught that helping others is the right thing to do. We have to learn to always think about others.”
Dr. Eid said, “FNAS supports academic activities related to the 17 global UN-SDGs adopted by the University.” This semester, through ENS201 class activity and under the supervision of Dr. Esther Ghanem, FNAS embraces the campaign ‘Together against Hunger’ to mobilize efforts to end hunger, achieve food security, and promote sustainable agriculture, as part of SDG 2”.
Large carton boxes were placed across campus so that students, faculty, and staff could donate food items from November 8, 2017, till December 4, 2017. All foods donated will then be collected and given to Mission de Vie, which in turn will be used to help needy families and feed the homeless.
Let us all work together to help others.
Stay tuned for upcoming events!