Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) parents have been overcome by people’s show of love and support for Lebanon after a huge explosion shook Beirut on 4 August, killing more than 170 people and injuring thousands.

Danny Makary – a Lebanese-background parent at St Michael’s Catholic Primary School in Meadowbank – said words cannot describe the gratitude he and three other Lebanese school parents are currently feeling towards their school and parish communities, along with their friendship and family circles.

After the deadly Beirut explosion, which left the world reeling, the parents posted an appeal on the school’s Facebook page calling on the community to donate non-perishable foods, clothing and essential items, such as nappies and women’s hygiene products, to help people affected.

“The appeal was posted on the school Facebook on Saturday (8 August),” Mr Makary said. It was also posted on Sydney to Lebanon, a Facebook group created that day to let people know how they could support the struggling families in Lebanon.

“We woke up the next day and our phones were ringing off the hook with calls from the school community, friends, family, people on Instagram and Facebook that had seen the post,” Mr Makary said.

“We’re now trying to raise funds to secure a third container” – Parent Danny Makary

Within just a few days the parent group, which includes five non-school parents, was inundated with donations, filling up two container-loads.
Such was the outpouring, they have now had to place a pause on donations.

“The first two containers have also been donated – we’re now trying to raise funds to secure a third,” Mr Makary said. “It’s been so overwhelming.”

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