Jan, 2026
Providing warm winter clothes to orphans in Lebanon, helping to ensure children experience the cold season with protection and dignity
This program is supported by UNICEF.
“Thank you for the gift. The hoodie, the jacket, the scarf, and the hat are so nice and beautiful. I’m very, very happy,” an orphan said in a voice note. The message was short, shy, and full of excitement.
For a moment, the winter cold faded, replaced by the feeling of being remembered. That moment captures what this initiative meant for hundreds of children in the orphanage.
Dar Al-Aytam Al-Islamiya is an orphanage in Lebanon that supports children living in its care, as well as orphaned children living with relatives and children who have lost their fathers and live with mothers unable to work. Winter brings added challenges, as many families struggle to secure warm clothing during the coldest months of the year.
To help ease that burden, Anera, in partnership with UNICEF, has produced and distributed winter clothing kits to 348 children aged 3 to 24, reaching children in need from all nationalities. The distribution is part of UNICEF and Anera’s broader winterization campaign, aimed at ensuring children can face winter with protection and dignity.
“When we talk about impact, we always start with the children, because they are the heart of everything we do,” says Dania Safadi, head of the orphan care, social cases, and community support programs at Dar Al-Aytam Al-Islamiya.
“When we talk about impact, we always start with the children."
Each child received a complete winter kit, carefully sized and prepared. The gift itself brought joy — but its meaning went deeper. Wearing something made specifically for them turned the experience into something personal, something they could feel. According to Safadi, the message the children received was as important as the clothing itself. “People they did not know had thought of them, came to their homes, and offered support with care,” she said.
All children received the same items, with close attention given to size and fit. That sense of equality mattered. As Mrs. Safadi explains, even when a gift is small, the emotional and moral impact resulting from it can be very big.
The distribution reached more than one group. Alongside children living at the orphanage, Anera and Dar Al-Aytam Al-Islamiya visited orphans living with relatives in their communities. The purpose was simple: to bring happiness, reassurance, and warmth during a difficult season, and that message was felt.
Behind each kit was another layer of impact. The winter clothing was produced by students enrolled in Anera-supported sewing courses, in partnership with UNICEF, creating income opportunities while helping participants gain hands-on experience and skills that can open doors to future employment.
For Dar Al-Aytam Al-Islamiya, the support represents more than a single distribution. “Any donation, no matter the size, means a great deal,” Safadi says. “It reflects true partnership within the community and trust in the mission of the orphanage.”
This winter, warmth traveled from careful stitches to small shoulders, carrying with it a message that every child deserves care, attention, and the feeling of not being forgotten.
