Beit el Founoun and Dignity Project

Dignity Trip to Beiteddine

2011-08-10T22:02:00.001+02:00

In February 2011, Dignity - Maghdouche invited its members and friends to an educational trip to Beiteddine where we all got a different perspective on the palace, its history, patterns, colours and much more... Thanks to Trond Einar S. Indsetviken who was our instructor and guide.

Christmas in Maghdouche

2010-12-24T13:10:00.007+01:00

The newly established children "Choir of Glory" has performed a Christmas concert in Maghdouche church, the evening of the 23rd of December 2010. In this little video, Maghdouche children are performing a traditional melkite bizantine Christmas song.

Christmas Fair !

2010-12-12T23:02:00.008+01:00

"Dignity" has just participated in a 4 day Christmas fair organized by the sisterhood of Our Lady of Mantara - Maghdouche " Akhawiyyet Saydet el Mantara. The friends of "Dignity" exhibited different kinds of embroideries and needlework as well as many other different products including the Brain Warmers.

The visitors of the fair appreciated the beautiful products, the high quality of the materials and the elegant finishing...

It is to be mentioned that this was the first fair in Lebanon in which "Dignity" has participated, on the hope that this would be the start of many participations to come.

Well done girls !!!

Welcome to Maghdouche's Public Garden

2010-11-16T19:17:00.009+01:00

It might not be Monet's romantic garden , nor the most exotic in its kind, but this little piece of garden means a lot for Maghdouche people. With a great goodwill, they managed to achieve it, thanks to "Environment without Borders".

Here are some photos taken by: Lycee le petit Prince.

"Under Brua" Festival - Dignity's Stand

2010-08-21T10:10:00.009+02:00

Her er vår lille "Stand" for Dignity produkter på "Under Brua Festivalen" som pågår på Hamar 20 og 21 august 2010.

Her er et utvalg av "Putene" Disse er brodert i tynneste ull og foret. Alt er 100% håndsøm.

To hyggelige jenter ble fasinert av våre "Hjernevarmere" og ville vise dere andre også....

Finally, the Public Garden!

2010-07-25T18:57:00.012+02:00

In a short time, this ugly empty space will be transformed into a fresh and green garden in which everybody will enjoy spending time.

Finally, "Bi2a bila 7oudoud" organisation, translated as "Environment without borders" succeeded in getting the right of preceeding with the work after a long struggle where Maghdouche people were the ones that were paying the price.

As the page is turned, Maghdouche people are looking forward to have a welcoming space where children can play, learn and experience, enjoy being as well as get in touch with the nature.

Well done guys!

Photos: Hani Esber - "Bi2a Bila 7oudoud"

"Bakgården Market" - Dignity's Stand

2010-06-18T23:55:00.004+02:00

Dignity's stand - "Bakgården" Market in Hamar.

Dignity Products in "Bakgården" market

2010-06-17T21:34:00.007+02:00

We have been invited to participate in the "Bakgård" market in Hamar.

So, friday and saturday, the 18th. and 19th. of June 2010, we will be having a stand, selling our Dignity products as well as some pelargonium. If you are in Hamar this weekend, dont hesitate to pass by and say hello.
Thanks to Veldreid for their support, initiative and invitation.

Norwegian Visits to Maghdouche

2010-02-23T16:31:00.007+01:00

During our long stay in Maghdouche, we got 2 norwegian visits.

The first visit was directly after Christmas. Father and daughter, Steffen and Tine, decided to follow us for a 3 week stay. Here they are in the photos, in Robert's family house, at 4:00 in the morning, having a coffee and a "knefeh" plate , before they rest and have some sleep after a long journey.

Few days after, there was another round to the airport: Bjarne and May Britt arrived from Oslo to Beirut airport via Heathrow. Thank God, their flight was earlier in the evening, so we could introduce them to Steffen and Tine who were waiting for us at "Le Triangle" in Maghdouche where we had a nice dinner and a glass of wine (we had a toast for Stine Marie who was supposed to join but was not able to).

We take the occasion and we thank all our visitors for all the yarn and the things that they were able to bring to our project in their luggage. Without their help, we would not be able to get to Maghdouche all the things at once. So, thank you guys for your help.

Back From Lebanon !

2010-02-19T22:19:00.012+01:00

So, the vacation is over ! 45 days, in the warmth of Lebanon, have passed like seconds.

During our stay, we did a lot of things for the project. Many things that we wanted to do seemed to be impossible. We end up by being the first ones to benefit from the project: we are learning day by day, to work on our patience (and our impatience), on accepting things as they are presented and when they are presented but without loosing the track: Keeping our eyes looking straight forward on our target... and the results are rewarding !

We come back to Norway with our luggage full of products made by around 20 women (and one man): embroidery, cross stitch, knitting, crochet, etc... all made by "Dignity"... What makes us feel satisfied and proud.

High Hat !

2010-02-13T17:24:00.002+01:00

"Dignity" would like to thank Rotary Club - Hamar Vest for its contribution to the project. What Rotary has done is really encouraging for us to continue our struggle for a better Maghdouche.

It's About Time, Guys !!!

2010-02-07T23:17:00.008+01:00

After a stop that has last since 2006, Maghdouche scouts - group N.D. of Maghdouche are starting from scratch.
yesterday February the 6th. 2010, the first formation part ended with an engagement ceremony (Riham al Hayek, Rita Constantine and Danielle Barrack) Some members have been engaged since 2004 and 2005.

"We will be meeting every saturday at 11:00 am till 1:00 pm at Notre-Dame School in Maghdouche" said to us Wadih Constantine, the leader of the group, and when we asked about the plans for the future he said: "... the plans are to make this group grow faster.. the second step will be in 2 weeks. We will start by forming older children to be responsible of the youngest. Later, they will be divided into 4 units or groups".

We ,in Dignity, wish the scouts of Maghdouche all the best of luck and we support their brave step that is really needed in Maghdouche, on the hope that we will be able to collaborate together in the future.

Special Thanks !

2010-02-05T14:30:00.001+01:00

The "Dignity" project family in Maghdouche sends its thanks to a lady that did a lot for the project.
Hanne Lystad, for all your efforts that you did and still doing for "Dignity", for all the months of research conserning Maghdouche, geographically and ethnographically, for following step-by-step, Trond Einar and Robert's activities when it comes to the project and its progress, for leading an informative serie of speaches and causeries...
For all this and for all what to come we thank you and we hope to see you one day in our beloved village Maghdouche.

Have a Maghdouche Chritmas !

2009-12-20T09:00:00.002+01:00

Meghli - Maghli - Lebanese Rice Pudding

2009-12-17T08:00:00.001+01:00

Meghli is a lebanese sweet dish that I love so much. It is usually served at Christmas time when one gets visitors and every time a child is born.

Ingredients:
8 glasses of water
1 glass ground rice (powder)
1 tea spoon ground cinnammon
1 tea spoon powdered anise seeds
3 tea spoon powdered caraway seeds
1/2 tea spoon nutmeg (jawzet ettib)
1 and 1/2 to 2 glasses sugar

Preparation:

1) Mix all ingredients in the water and stear

2) put the casserol on the fire, stear continuously until you bring the mixture to a boil.

3) Reduce the heat to low and stear from time to time, for at least one hour.

P.S.: The secret of "Meghli" is this combination of low heat and one hour boiling. This will keep the porridge creamy without loosing the water once it is refrigerated. This is very Important.

The final result should look like this: the mixture coats the outside of the spoon

Transfer the porridge into small bowls and let it cool down before you refrigerate.

Decorate with coconut and then add pine seeds , walnuts, pistachios and peeled almond preferably soaked in water for some hours.

Bon appetit.

More Photos of Saint Barbara Day - Eid el Berbara

2009-12-03T21:30:00.011+01:00

Where did Dignity products end? - Hvor havnet våre Dignity produkter?

2009-12-02T16:28:00.014+01:00

- Here and there... Our Dignity products have found a good home. We still have some that have never been posted in our net-shop : (http://www.bydignity.blogspot.com/ ) but can be bought in our galleri in Norway, on the hope of renewing the products in the net-shop after Christmas.

Here are some photos that show where Dignity pillows have gone.

Saint Barbara day - "Eid el Berbara"

2009-11-30T21:10:00.001+01:00

As every christian village in Lebanon, Maghdouche celebrates Saint Barbara on the 4th. of December of every year. As the day, according to the oriental christian tradition, starts and ends with the sunset, the big celebration would be the evening of the 3rd. of December.

Saint Barbara day or " Eid el Berbara" is celebrated in Maghdouche similarly to the North American Halloween. It is believed that Saint Barbara disguised herself in numerous characters to elude the Romans who were persecuting her.

Sugar and coins (paper money nowadays) are offered to the masquerading children who walk the streets of the village and sing door-to-door. No need to mention that the quality (or vulgarity) of the songs vary according to the money offered !

Lately, I would say 15 years ago, The youngsters of Maghdouche developped a masquerading parade that walks the streets of Maghdouche on the evening of the 4th. of December. I hope that this parade has become a tradition and that it is still going on.

"Elbeh"- Wheat of Saint Barbara

2009-11-30T21:00:00.000+01:00

Every single house in Maghdouche will be having "Elbeh" the night of Saint Barbara (3rd. of December). "Elbeh" known also as "Am7 el Berbara" is served in a bowl and eaten as an evening snack or a warm dessert. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

1 glass of whole-grain wheat

5 glasses of water

1 tablespoon of anis seeds (yansoon)

1 tablespoon / bowl sugar

1 teaspoon / bowl orangeblossom water

1 teaspoon / bowl rosewater (optional)

Almonds, walnuts, pine seeds, pomegranate seeds and raisins for topping (all are optional)

Preparation:

1. Wash the wheat and boil it in the water. Remove the foam from the surface if any forms.

2. Put the anis seeds in a textile cloth and knob it and let it boil with the wheat (nowadays they boil the anis separately and they filter its water into the wheat while boiling but I like to keep the tradition).

3. There is no timing for how much the wheat should boil (you need to taste to know). When the wheat is done, you serve it together with its water into bowl.

4. Sprinkle with sugar then with orangeblossom water and rosewater.

5. Top everything with almond, walnuts, pine seeds, pomegranate seeds and raisins.

Serve warm.

Lebanese Red Lentil Soup

2009-11-22T06:00:00.002+01:00

Ingredients (serves 6):
500 g. split red lentils
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon (or 2 cubes) bouillon
1 teaspoon cumin
salt and pepper (to taste)
juice of half a lemon
vegetable oil
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Preparation:
Boil the lentils in water around half an hour until the lentils are really disintegrated. With a spoon, remove the white foam that forms on the surface. Add the bouillon at this stage and add water every now and then if needed.

Meanwhile, fry the onion in oil until it gets red-brown and add it to the boiling lentils.
Add and stir cumin, salt and pepper.
Remove away from fire, add the lemon juice and the extra virgin olive oil. Stir again.

Serve with a slice of lemon and croutons ( pita bread croutons are the best).
Enjoy !

Dignity on Facebook

2009-11-16T17:14:00.004+01:00

Here we are, slowly back after a " too much to do" period... Besides, Trond was having some health problems that paralised our activities for a while. But we are back and that is the important.

On Facebook, we started a group for Dignity's friends. So if you have an account on Facebook, dont hesitate to show your support and join our group. To go there just click here...

Me'ikeh - Speciality of Maghdouche - Salt kjeks fra Maghdouche

2009-10-29T15:52:00.000+01:00

I have never eaten "Me'ikeh" or "M3ikeh" outside Maghdouche. Correct me if I am wrong, but for me, it is a Maghdouche speciality by default. "Me'ikeh" as a snack has the exotic smell of "El Wa3r" and the taste of "Nab3et el7ommar" (These are local area names).

Ingredients:

1 kilo wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup roasted sesame seeds
½ cup wild pine seeds “7abb ereish” (optional)
2 cups fresh thymes (Zaatar) washed and chopped (out of season I use dried Zaatar flowers)
2 cups vegetable oil
2 – 4 glasses water

Oppskriften på norsk:

1 kg. hvetemel

1 ts. bakepulver

1/2 ts. salt

1 kopp ristede sesamfrø

1/2 kopp furufrø ( ut og plukk, for de norske frøene smaker vidunderlig godt)

2 kopper frisk timian eller tørket med blomster

2 kopper god olje

2- 4 glass vann (deigen skal være tørr, men henge sammen)

Preparation:
1) Mix flour, baking powder, salt, sesame seeds, wild pine seeds and timian
2) Add oil

3) With both your hands, crumble the mixture and oil until the oil is absorbed equally
4) Add half of the water and mix
5) Add the rest of the water little by little and stop when nothing of the flour is left in the bowl

6) Divide dough into handful pieces
7) Shape each piece into a ball and let rest for 15 minutes
8) Roll each ball to a flat round
9) Place onto oven trays and bake ,approx. 175 degree, until the rounds get a golden colour (I love them well roasted)
10) Serve when cold

Melhem Barakat in Maghdouche !

2009-09-21T19:39:00.003+02:00

This might not be of interest for our norwegian friends, but I have to mention it here as "Melhem Barakat" is one of the big names when one talks about arabic music. Lebanese and arab followers know what I am talking about.

From Maghdouche party 09/09/09, here are 2 videos that I found posted on facebook. Enjoy !

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/video/video.php?v=163117221006&ref=mf

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/video/video.php?v=162677236006

A Tribute to George Khalil

2009-08-26T21:17:00.007+02:00

Maghdouche Festival 2009 was launched with a tribute to George Khalil who passed away lately. George Khalil was the founder of the "Kroom e Shams" Festival and one of those who worked hard to assume its continuity.

In the photo, Dr. Ghazi Ayyoub , the mayor of Maghdouche is presenting the honor shield to father Jacques George Khalil. Photos by Hiba Ghanem.

Dignity Cats !

2009-08-19T10:16:00.009+02:00

Trond Einar's cats idea was a success. People, children and adults are showing a lot of interest and curiosity... and for that, they are excused. The cats are adorable ! so cute that you feel to touch them, hug them... They awake the child inside you that you feel to play with them.

During the process of knitting, the cat gets a name and a little story that awake the imagination and let your thoughts fly in a wonderland... "Uheldig Hilde" translated as Unlucky Hilde, "Dolly Dollar", "Dolly Simpel", " fru L.V. Fransen" and many other names. Most of them has find a good and loving home.

The demand on the cats is growing and TrondE is not able to fullfill it by himself that he asked Sissel to help with the knitting on the hope that our people in Maghdouche are knitting cats and that we will bring them to Norway after Christmas. Note that TrondE had a course in Maghdouche, in May,on how to knit the cats.

Lately, the press got interested in the "Dignity cats" and the clever idea of owning a cat while supporting our Dignity Project. Here is the journalist Håvard Lillebo from the newspaper "Østlendigen" taking photos of TrondE and the cats after a long interview with us about Dignity Project that will be published soon in "Østlendingen". Dont miss it !

Up till now, people supported our project with a "pelargonium" plant so why not supporting it with a lovely wool cat ?