In the towns of the Chouf district, which lack organized youth initiatives, serious local efforts are emerging to create new spaces for connection and joint action — as a practical response to people’s daily needs and an attempt to ease growing social and economic pressures.
In this context, the group “A Droub Bater,” founded in 2019 by residents of the town of Bater in Chouf, stands as a living example of the role community initiatives can play. The group organizes collective hiking trips to various areas in Chouf and is now seeking to expand its activities beyond the district to include other regions of Lebanon.
The group includes members of all ages and organizes nature walks that go beyond physical activity, aiming to revive a sense of connection among local residents.
The group’s founder, Ihab Wahbi, focuses on exploring new areas within Chouf and introducing them to the younger generation by inviting them to hike on Sundays and engage in various activities.
Ihab hopes that more support will be given by government institutions to groups working in environmental preservation, nature exploration, and heritage and tourism promotion, to help ensure their sustainability.