Many high schoolers may log enough volunteer hours to bump up college resumes or satisfy their CSF requirements, but one Sea King is motivated to do the same for a completely different purpose, as she goes an extra 7,000 miles to do so.  Senior Sereene Saab has traveled every summer during high school to volunteer at refugee centers in Beirut, Lebanon. Not only does Saab make the long journey with the intent of doing charitable work of aiding those in need, but she also hopes to stay in touch with her roots.

“I’m 100% Lebanese and my parents fled from the war when they were young. My dad was a junior in high school and my mom was three years old,” Saab said.

“It was very difficult for them to gather visas, so they had to leave a lot of people behind in Lebanon…. Since they left behind family, it’s very important for us to stay connected with our roots and learn the language and make sure we are in tune with how they grow up and their customs and cultural traditions.”

Saab’s first summer in Lebanon sparked curiosity and concern to learn more after the Lebanese Civil War during the 1980s and 90s.

“In ninth grade, that was when I realized the severity and chaos of their situation, and thought, ‘Woah what is happening.’  There are places still completely destroyed and not yet rebuilt from the war,” Saab said.

Saab also described her knowledge of the current conditions of the state, characterized by an unequal distribution of wealth and how that affects daily life.

“Yes, there are areas with skyscrapers and $20 million dollar apartment flats with ocean views, but then there are people living in the dumps of the city within a matter of streets. They’re lacking a substantial middle class, so the people are either really wealthy or really poor and the damage done during the war is still very prevalent.”

This Sea King detailed the turmoil and disarray that she herself witnessed.

“You see people roaming around the streets begging for food. Multiple times, I’ve witnessed store owners kick and rush beggars away from the street in front of their store and its truly eye-opening,” Saab said.

Sabb is quick to point out the harrowing differences that drive her desire to come back every year.

“I volunteer at Syrian refugee centers because there are just so many people and children that are in need of shelter and food there, so we hand out sustainable food and protein bars while also teaching them some of our culture like our traditional dances,” Saab said.  

“I understand Arabic fluently so it’s really fulfilling to be able to communicate and bond with them, which is why I’m looking forward to going back this summer.”