Whilst bombs were falling on Beirut - we carried on

During war, we kept going

Update · March 2026

The recent escalation brought continued uncertainty to our communities in Shatila and Bourj al-Barajneh. Our teams adapted, our students persisted, and Alsama kept its doors - physical and virtual - open.

All of our students and staff are safe.

Teaching and Learning

In Shatila, students remained in the classroom.

During the conflict in Beirut, the vast majority of students across both Shatila camps continued to receive teaching face-to-face. Our teachers showed up. So did our students.

• 87% of Shatila students learning in-person
• 100% of music & art sessions continued in-person

Adapting to a new normal

In Bourj al-Barajneh, we moved online — and our students couldn't be stopped.

Bourj al-Barajneh sits closer to the areas where strikes occurred. 70% of students were displaced outside the camp. Our teachers responded immediately — moving lessons online to ensure that not a single student was left without education.

• 13% of Shatila students displaced outside the camp
• 68% of Bourj al-Barajneh students displaced outside the camp

85% of Bourj al-Barajneh students received their lessons online, maintaining continuity through one of the most disrupted periods the camp has faced.

A moment of joy

Cricket returned in person - in Beirut and Bekaa.

During the worst of the disruption, our cricket programme moved online: quizzes, drills, anything to keep spirits up. It worked. Within a week of the situation stabilising, all players were back on the pitch. We temporarily relocated to a safer ground further north - and the game, and everything it means for our students, is very much alive.

Post-war update

Our Bourj al-Barajneh centres are running again in person.

After one month of closure and online learning, we're pleased to confirm that our Bourj al-Barajneh centres were unaffected by strikes and have fully re-opened for in-person teaching. Classrooms that were empty are full again.

Two of our students - Nour and Afraa - spoke on BBC America during the conflict, reaching an audience of 400 million people. Their voices carried the story of what it means to keep learning when the world around you is uncertain. You can watch them HERE.

What this period showed us is something we have always known: our students do not stop. Neither do our teachers. When the physical classroom closed, we found another one. When the pitch was unsafe, we found another pitch.

We are grateful to everyone who stood by Alsama during this time. Your support made continuity possible.