By Rana Sweidan - UNDP Lebanon
In the quiet hills of El Bireh, a small village nestled in Lebanon’s Chouf district, Joseph stands on the steps of his modest home. At 64, his hands tell the story of a hard life spent working the land, and despite the hardship, his strength and his story stand out.
For decades, Joseph’s livelihood depended on a small herd of dairy cows. The milk they produced sustained his family and that of his son, who lives with his wife and children under the same roof. “We lived off what the cows gave us,” Joseph says. “It was a family effort. We were content and self-reliant.”
©Rana Sweidan/UNDP Lebanon
Then hardship struck. As Lebanon’s economic crisis deepened, Joseph’s grandson fell gravely ill and required urgent treatment. With no other way to cover the hospital bills, Joseph was forced to sell both his cows and his car.
“There was no other way,” he says, eyes welling up. “What mattered the most was saving my grandson’s life.”
The child recovered, but Joseph and his family were left with nothing. His only source of income was gone, and their future seemed bleak.
Recently, hope returned when Joseph received four dairy cows, along with feed and basic equipment, giving him the chance to restart his livelihood.
“Raising cows was always a family trade,” he reflects. “ Now, I can provide again for my children and grandchildren. This support will allow us to cover school expenses and manage daily living costs.”
©Rana Sweidan/UNDP Lebanon
Today, his cows produce enough milk to feed the household, with surplus to sell. “We live on this milk,” he says. “It feeds us, sustains us, and gives meaning to our work.”
Joseph’s story is one of many in El Bireh, a village that is a member of the Arkoub El Harf Union of Municipalities. Agriculture, rural tourism, and traditional crafts form the backbone of the local economy, yet years of political instability, economic collapse, and regional tensions have left families struggling to survive.
For Joseph, it is more than financial assistance; it is a second chance. “This is just the first step,” he concludes, with quiet determination, “but it is enough to begin again.”
The support Joseph received is part of a broader UNDP initiative, funded by the German Government through KfW Development Bank, aimed at revitalizing rural economies and generating employment across the Arkoub El Harf Union of Municipalities.
Locations