Hanna Hirvonen
is a freelance journalist based in Tampere, Finland. She likes to travel to Lebanon, where she is especially interested in everyday life and social status of Palestinian refugees.
Contact: hanna.katriina.hirvonen(a)gmail.com
Teaching in a stressful living environment requires sensitivity
Ilona Taimela taught Finnish children who were living in the Al-Hol camp in Syria. It was also important to support the children’s parents in a situation where families lacked all safety nets.
Creating team spirit at a safe distance
When contact teaching became impossible, Harri Hertell decided to move his performance poetry workshops online. How did building connection, trust and support through a screen work?
Studying as a refugee – instead of just waiting
The job of teaching in a refugee community is full of challenges. The Lebanon-based Syrian organisation Multi Aid Programs trains both children and adults to cope with daily life but also prepares them for a brighter future.
Refugee camp workers learn stress management to cope with desperate situations
Palestinian social workers in Lebanon have been training with psychologists to manage the stress caused by their job. The trainees are now learning to pass their skills on.
Libraries increase public space in Beirut
Beirut’s first municipal library was opened at the beginning of the millennium. In the libraries of Lebanon’s capital city there is a desire to promote not only lifelong learning but also equality.
