Objectives

The Civic Centers Program at the Makhzoumi Foundation provides trainees with educational, technical and vocational skills. It fulfils two of the Foundation’s goals: encouraging the seeking of knowledge and promoting self-reliance. The courses are tailored to cater for the requisites of the labour market and the challenges of the twenty first century.

The training provided by this program contributes positively to the development of the youth, as the mastering of vocational skills creates a feeling of satisfaction and hope; it actually turns the trainees into a productive power. Otherwise, they shall be a burden on society.

Target Group & Selection Criteria

Beneficiaries of the civic centers program belong to all age groups, and all educational & social backgrounds.

The selection of trainees, from amongst the applicants, follows generally the rule of equal opportunity, but with special attention to those candidates, who are in critical need to improve their economical and social status, and who are sufficiently ambitious to achieve such improvement. In addition, courses are also offered to members of the Internal Security Force of Lebanon, Republican Guards, National Council for Social Security employees and Red Cross Nurses.

Characteristics of the Program

This program enjoys a number of positive particulars, to name but the most important ones:

1. - It offers a variety of specialties.
2. - Courses are offered at the Foundations tree centers through out Beirut: in Mazraa, Achrafieh, and Tarik Jadidah, and tree Centers outside Beirut namely in Tripoli, Saida, and Baalbek.
3. - The courses are offered in four quarterly terms, of ten weeks each.
4. - A qualified team, specialists in their fields, offer the courses.
5. - All classrooms & labs are equipped with the best and latest materials & equipments.
6. - Every year, several thousand trainees, from all Lebanese regions, benefit from the program.
7. - The program is offered at no cost to the trainees except for a minimal contribution fee as a token of their commitment to persevere.
8. - Graduation certificates issued by the Makhzoumi Foundation, for most specialties, are eligible for legalization by the General Directorate of Vocational and Technical Training at the Ministry of Education and at the Ministry of Labor.

As our ultimate goal is to provide the best training possible, we revise and upgrade our curriculums on a regular basis. At the Makhzoumi Foundation, the process of improving the curriculums and updating the training tools is ongoing and continuous.

Fields of training

The major fields of training that are offer in Makhzoumi Foundation Centers are:

1. - Computer Program: This provides Trainees with Computer Literacy; Internet use; Web Design; Hardware Assembly and Maintenance; and Microsoft Office Programs according to curriculum approved by the Microsoft IT Academy, as well as MOS Program which allows Trainees to gain MOS Certificates that are considered one of the most recognized International Certificates.
2. - Language Program: Where Trainees are provided with three levels of Arabic Literacy, three levels of the French Language, and nine levels of the English Language, with three intensive courses. Makhzoumi Foundation has become an approved ETS Certified Test Administration Site for TOEFL iBT.
3. - Administrative Program: This provides Trainees with three levels of Accounting, and Secretarial Studies either Managerial or Executive level.
4. - Beauty Program: that consists of Skin Care, Electrolysis, Make-Up, Ladies Hairdressing, Men Barber, in addition to short beauty sessions in Nail Care, Nail Art and Design, Henna, Acrylic, and Tattooing.
5. - Vocational Program: This Program provides Jewelry Design and Repair, Electrical and Cellular Repair, Photography, and Video Filming and Editing.
6. - Childrens Library: An electronic and classical public library for children, from 7 to 15 years old, enabling them to improve their academic knowledge and enhance their creativity and imagination through the crafts activities.
7. - Athletic Center: It is a vital familial outlet that provides athletic activities such as: Aerobics, Karate, and Hip Hop Dancing, Ping Pong, Football, and other games, as well as some board games like chess.

- As usually done at the end of each term, Makhzoumi Foundation celebrated the trainees' graduation at all its centers: Tripoli Center on 28/03/2008, Babblbeck Center on 31/03/2008 and Mazraa Center on 01/04/2008. Trainees from all specialties displayed their projects, after which certificates were distributed and medals were offered to the distinguished trainees; in presence of the graduates' parents and friends as well as the Head of Centers and the instructors and the administrative staff. The Head of Centers captured the opportunity to thank the Founder, Mr. Fouad Makhzoumi, and the President, Mrs. May Makhzoumi, for their guidance and support; praising the cultural and social role of the Foundation. As well, the attendees thanked the Foundation's concern and efforts to enhance work chances especially within the critical situation prevailing in Lebanon.

- As every year, the Makhzoumi Foundation celebrated Mother's Day, where by a group of the trainees/Beauty Division at Tripoli Center visited the "Khadamat Association for the Elders" on 7/03/2008, where they cut and dyed hair for a number of the elders. The "Khadamat Association for the Elders" administration thanked the Makhzoumi Foundation for the humanitarian gesture wishing continuous cooperation.