The future belongs to the people who believe in the beauty of their dreams, who work hard and steady to attain them. A Lebanese is known for this practice, always eyeing the top of every field. In this issue we have many Lebanese dreamers with engaging personalities who have achieved: May el-Khalil, on our cover with an exclusive photoshoot, the courageous, contagious energy and inspiring lady behind the Beirut Marathon. Ivonne Baki, the former president of the Andean Parliament, who perfects the techniques of peacebuilding. Alissar Caracalla, the accomplished character who turned her passion, with discipline and rigor, into a career. Salim Edde, who believes in Lebanon, chose to bring HOME his private collection of minerals and conceived a breathtaking museum. His collection is bigger than the Natural History Museum in London and the Smithsonian Institution combined.
As the Lebanese American Thomas Barrack poignantly said in the LDE Lebanese Diaspora Forum, the very successful event the Foreign Ministry organized, “We have extraordinary DNA. Each one is a pearl. Now it is time for us all to make a beautiful necklace.” We believe that the Lebanese Diaspora is our untapped wealth. Bringing them back HOME, if only for a visit, is our mission to contribute to the revival of our country.
We are all invited HOME to be part of “bright global Lebanon,” to join forces with Lebanese success stories – artists, businesses and initiatives, public and private. Check out “Giving Back,” a special section in every issue, for choices of non-profit organizations and socially responsible programs to have more options of causes to commit to and to volunteer for. The beauty of our country is that Lebanon is big enough to fill the world and small enough to remain at a human scale where any one of us can make a difference, an impact.
“The beauty of our country is that Lebanon is big enough to fill the world and small enough to remain at a human scale where any one of us can make a difference, an impact”
I wish you this summer a happy Eid, and wish you an abundance of wealth, enriching encounters, everlasting friendships and countless moments of pleasure with your loved ones. There are moments that life is made of and other moments that life is defined by. Most of all, I wish you a clear definition of what you want to leave behind, daily crafting your legacy.
Have a great summer at HOME!
Patricia Bitar Cherfan
Social Entrepreneur| Founder
