The financial crisis and the impoverishment of the Lebanese people: Testimony of Fr. Charbel Batour, S.J

Introduction:

Today, I want to share with you how Collège Notre-Dame de Jamhour faced and survived some of the worst crises in Lebanon’s history. Between 2017 and 2023, Lebanon experienced political turmoil, economic collapse, social unrest, and national disasters—each one threatening the very existence of its institutions, especially schools. Yet, despite these challenges, Jamhour endured, adapted, and even thrived, thanks to the support of some Jesuits, friends, families and benefactors. Let’s look at how the school navigated each crisis.

1. The Financial Shock: Law 46 and the Salary Crisis (2017)

In August 2017, the Lebanese government imposed Law 46, which drastically increased teachers’ salaries without considering the financial consequences on private schools or parents. This sudden decision left schools in turmoil, forcing many to raise tuition fees or shut down.

Jamhour’s Preparedness and Reaction:

• Jamhour was aware of the problem many years ago, it constituted an Endowment Fund in order to develop the school and to be ready backup in time of troubles. Remained what we developed and lost 20 millions in banks

• The school publicly opposed the law, using letters (the letter of December 1^st 2019 became a reference for local and international instances), media campaigns, and TV appearances to expose its devastating impact.
• Jamhour refused to pass the entire burden onto parents, maintaining a delicate balance between financial sustainability and accessibility. It was in the meantime attentive to the faculty plea.
• We kept a continuous and open dialogue with parents and faculty in order to find solutions to the problems generated by the new law

1. The October 17 Upraising (2019) and Political Unrest

In October 2019, Lebanon erupted in a nationwide uprising against corruption. Protests, roadblocks, and economic paralysis disrupted daily life, including education.

Reaction of Jamhour:

• The school took a neutral stance, respecting all political opinions while ensuring the institution remained a safe, non-partisan space.
• It continued operating despite challenges, reinforcing its educational mission above political divisions.

III. The Banking Crisis and Hyperinflation (2019-2020)

A direct consequence of the uprising was the banking collapse. By 2019, Lebanon’s banks:

• Froze deposits, making it impossible to withdraw money.
• Caused the Lebanese pound to lose over 90% of its value.
• Left teachers earning as little as $20 per month, forcing many to emigrate.

Reaction of Jamhour:

• The school created its own internal banking system, allowing tuition payments and salaries in cash.
• It launched fundraising initiatives to provide teachers with an extra $100-$200 monthly to sustain them.
• The school kept for one year all the old tuitions in order to help the parents not to leave the school and the country.

1. COVID-19 Pandemic

• On February 28, 2020, schools shut down due to COVID.

Reaction of Jamhour:

• It launched a fundraising campaign to provide vaccines for its teachers, ensuring safe in-person education when possible. The school was transformed into a clinical hospital

1. The Digital Shift (2020-2021)

• The total shutdown due to Covid compelled the school to shift to a sudden transition to online education in a country with weak internet and power shortages.

Jamhour Preparedness:

The school had invested in computer infrastructure in order to prepare for the AI era; but this infrastructure turned out to be a major asset in online learning; we were well ready to teach online and to provide our student with a qualitative education despite the shutdown.

1. The March 2020 Wind Storm

A violent storm uprooted 450 trees on Jamhour’s campus.

Reaction of Jamhour:

• The school worked weeks on cleaning, storage, tiding up and arrangement of our surrounding woods where the storm was the most felt.
• Then it secured a private donor who funded the replanting of 1,200 trees, restoring the campus.

VII. The Beirut Port Explosion (August 4, 2020)

One of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history devastated Beirut, impacting many families in Jamhour’s community. 7 people from our community lost their life and hundreds were wounded. The blast hit badly the four buildings of our campus in Beirut, College Saint-Gregoire.

Reaction of Jamhour:

• A day after the school hired a sworn expert, an engineer, to assess damages ($825,000).
• Thanks to our good relation with the French official we received 700 000 euros from the French Government
• And our global fundraising effort raised $1,800,000, aiding in reconstruction and community support.

VIII. The Gasoline Shortage (2021-2022)

With no fuel, no diesel, and no electricity, how could schools function?

Jamhour needed fuel to operate over 100 school buses and help staff commute to work.

Preparedness and Reaction of Jamhour:

• The school turned its small gas station into a fully operational one.
• It partnered with Murex (Edde family) and an oil company, Medco (Chammas Family), to ensure a steady fuel supply.

1. The National Power Grid Collapse

Lebanon plunged into darkness as the national grid failed completely.

Preparedness of Jamhour:

• The school had invested in solar energy, covering 2,750m² of rooftop space with panels, producing 325 KW of power. We did this investment in order to lower our expenses but it turns out to be a major initiative to live through the difficult time of power shortage.
• This allowed Jamhour to continue functioning despite nationwide blackouts.

Conclusion: Jamhour’s Resilience in the Face of Crisis

Between 2017 and 2023, Lebanon’s crises threatened to dismantle its institutions. Yet, Collège Notre-Dame de Jamhour stood firm, proving that with:

• a good network of relationships,
• a financial adaptability,
• a strong communication strategy,
• a solid community support,
• a commitment to excellence
• and above all a strong belief in God’s providence in times of troubles

It is possible not just to survive—but to thrive.

The most challenging crisis amid these compounding hardships was what I would call “the crisis of morale”. People’s spirits were at their lowest during theses years—no light, no hope, everything seemed to be crumbling. As the rector of the school, my foremost responsibility was to instill hope in times of despair and to uplift others, even while carrying the weight of countless worries myself. This experience taught me invaluable lessons and gave me a concrete example of how the Lord is present among his people and is guiding them.

Fr. Charbel Batour, S.J.