This year at Collège Notre Dame de Jamhour, is nothing like we imagined. Lebanon has endured profound upheavals in recent years—the 2019 uprising, the COVID-19 pandemic, the Beirut port explosion of August 4, 2020, and now, a war that infiltrates every corner of our lives. Yet, amidst the destruction and daily struggle, our school community shines as a beacon of hope and resilience.

The journey to school, once routine, has become an act of courage. Every lesson we attend is a defiance of war, a refusal to let it steal our dreams. Our teachers, driven by uncertainty, remain steadfast, providing not only knowledge but inspiration, even as explosions sometimes disrupt our classrooms.

What stands out most this year is solidarity. Despite the instability—bombing zones, displacement, and loss—students share their resources and support one another. Simple yet profound acts of kindness remind us that we are stronger together than any war.

This war has taught us resilience, not just survival. While older generations may see it as a haunting repetition of past conflicts, we, the youth, have discovered a strength within us. We rise each day, rebuild, and love, holding onto the hope of peace and a brighter future.

As students of Collège Notre Dame de Jamhour, we are determined to become the architects of a better Lebanon. This testimony is a pledge to never lose faith in the possibility of better days ahead.

Mariel Haddad - 9th Grade