Community is the spirit and essence of the towns people working together for the common good. Here we would like to feature our towns heroes who spent their time, efforts and resources to make Shweir a more beautiful, meaningful and a better place to live. Also, we would like to feature our talented and younger generation... our future leaders and the official organizations "Charities" that are making a positive difference on Shweir and its people.

Also, we would like to have some questions answered... like... what long range plans are there to build a community center, kids playgrounds, library, conference rooms and facilities, what educational programs are available what is missing? what about adult education, vocational training etc...

(The above was written in July of 2000. We sure have come a long way since then. Many of these questions and aspirations are becoming reality right before our eyes like the Community Center, Library and Scholarship. We still have a long way to go. Thanks to all who participated and helped. Working as a team, our goals become easier to achieve).

Thank you Omar for the great news... these are the kind of news that are always welcome...

Lets Mobilize ya shabab and ya banat... lets set up the logistics and guidelines to make this Library a show place physically and qualitatively.

Hi, attached are the photos of the library Dr. Nabil wanted you to see how the work is going two to three days and the work of the toublit (tiling or marbelizing) will be done we still have to paint the walls.

The report, which was presented to Dr. Ghosun and approved by all the municipality members on Jan. 18 2003

Introduction

Community Centers and town Libraries have become essential facilities in city neighborhoods and small towns worldwide. Such premises have proven to be the ideal framework for social and cultural activities, as these places are highly conductive for socializing, as well as for knowledge seekers that can spend some time in the library for the sheer fun of reading.

Back in August 2002, a group of enthusiastic town folks, some are residing here and some were visiting for the summer, submitted a formal letter to the municipality of Shweir (copy of the letter on this page) requesting the initiation of such a facility. The municipality obliged by allocating the open hall on the first floor of the municipality building as the venue for this center. The following study, which has been a group effort, elaborates the general activities and services that this center will provide to its visitors.

A note of appreciation:

To Dr. Nabil Ghosn and the members of the municipality council
Shweir.com and all those Shweirieh behind this super website
The team that helped in preparing this study:

-   Riad N. Khuneisser
-   Oula G. Aoun
-   Rouba H. Khayrallah
-   Rima J. Abi Kheir
-   Ilham S. Sawaya
-   Georges J. Moujaes

List & Contents

      -         Plan / General Layout
-         General sections, A-A, B-B
-         General sections, C-C, D-D
-         False ceiling plan
-         Furniture layout and floor finishes
-         Interior view
-         General report

General Report

1-     Proposed layout
2-     Installation / furnishing / suggested materials
3-     Timetable
4-     Financing plan
5-     Operation
6-     Emblem / Logo
7-     Budgetary Cost estimate

1- Proposed Layout

Located at the first floor of the municipality building in Dhour El Shweir, the allocated space measures 15.8 x 11.3m and comprises 3 major zones as follows:

A- Zone 1 / Entrance Area

i- Donor’s List: The Donor’s list features a wooden panel and will be located in the left corner of the entrance. The list will include the names of those that have contributed financially, those that have donated books, their names will be marked on each book.

ii- Hall of Fame: The wall on the left side of the entrance will include full display of selected famous people from Shweir and Ain Al Sindyaneh, that have made outstanding cultural and scientific achievements in the past. Each person will have his Portrait along with a brief biography written in Arabic, English and French. The names will include the following in alphabetical order:

      -     Fares Badr
-         Raymond Ghosn
-         Girgis Hammam
-         Nehme Jafet
-         Mansour Jerdak
-         Khalil Hawi
-         Fares Mishrik
-         Salwa Nassar
-         Assad Rustom
-         Antoun Saadeh

In addition to the above, two supplementary list of names in Arabic and English will be mounted on the two adjacent doors.

iii- Touristic sites of Shweir and Ain Al Sindyaneh: Located across from the hall of fame, the above stand will display a large aerial view of the area with a front panel that will include the following touristic sites, which will be identified interactively by the visitors. Once the visitor selects a site, it will be lit on the map showing its location, and a brief on the selected site will prompt next to the button:

-         Old Churches of Shweir & Ain Al Sindyaneh
-         Shweir town square, the fountains, and the old Souk and the stairs connecting the square with Dahr El Sheer
-         Shweir Secondary School / names of the buildings
-         Antoun Saadeh Memorial
-         Al Mashrah area and Sarfad Restaurant
-         Ste. Elias Monastery
-         Al- Ghowab area and hiking Trail
-         Churches of Dhour El Shweir
-         Dr. Khalil Saadeh memorial
-         Municipality building and Nehme Jafet memorial
-         Hotel Dhour Shweir
-         Central Hotel

iv- Information Center / Attendant: The desk will be located just after the entrance area. The attendant will be supplied with a PC that will include all the necessary information regarding books, list of members, and inventory of all furnishing items. The attendant who will be assigned on a part time basis and should be preferably trilingual and capable of attending to visitors queries.

B- Zone 2 / Support Area: comprises two main rooms:

i- Computer room: will be equipped with 4 computer desks and 4 PC’s, a scanner and a printer and UPS. The computers will be available to students who wish to conduct a research or use the office software. Connecting one Computer to the internet is a possibility.

ii- Tutoring room: located adjacently to the Computer room and will include four tables with double seats, adequate for the tutor and the student. A white board will be mounted in a central location. The tutors will be on call to offer help to students on voluntary basis.

C- Zone 3 / Library

The library area comprises four main sections:

i- Children’s Corner: located next to the entrance and across from the attendant, this corner will feature cases that will include books that are suitable for kids between 5 and 10 years old. It will also include educational toys and some board games.

ii- Books stacks, Area A: Four rows of double-sided stacks with a total length of 11.6m with a height of 2.10m. This will yield a face area of 46.4m².The average number of books/ m²is 75. An approximate number of 3450 books will be stacked in this area. Next to the stacks, a group of 10 tables and 10 chairs will be available for reference / research reading.

iii- Book Stacks / Area B: This area will include 3 double and one single row of stacks. The overall face area will be 25.2 m², which will be adequate to accommodate a total number of 1890 books. Next to the stacks, a group of 8 tables and 8 chairs are also available for reference / research reading.

The total number of books in both zones will total 5340 books, excluding the children’s books.

iv- Reading Lounge: This area will be located in the far corner of the center and will feature periodicals / magazines and newspapers. Ten single seating couches are arranged in a circular pattern. However, it is worth noting that this area is flexible in terms of rearranging the seating area, including the chairs and tables in the reference / research reading sections for different usage of the space. Refer to the adjacent layouts for possible rearrangement of the space.

2- Installation & Furnishing / suggested materials

The proposed layout reflects an open space that has been zoned by the interior furnishing rather than partitioning, which has been minimized and applied only around the support area (computer and tutoring rooms).

Suggested materials:

a- False ceiling: 60x60cm mineral fiber on exposed T grid with Fluorescent light fixtures 60x120cm. The grid will be installed between the drop beams. All other exposed areas will be painted. (refer to false ceiling plan)

b- Partitions: Light partitions in gypsum boards on metal studs, 220cm above floor level, painted in latex paint. Colors and paint to be selected.

c- Floor Covering: The entrance area has been tiled in stone. Except for the book stacks area which will be maintained in exposed terrazzo tiles. All other areas will be covered with 60x60 synthetic carpet tiles.

d- All walls will be painted in emulsion paint. Colours to be selected.

e- Interior furnishing: (refer to drawing A5 for the schedule and layout of interior furnishing).

All installation and furnishing will be sourced through vendors and skilled labour from Shweir and Ain Al Sindyaneh.

3- Timetable

a- Submittal of preliminary proposal to Baladieh and launching of the fund drive: January 20^th ‏2003
b- Finalizing and firming up drawings incorporating viable comments if any before 15th March 2003:
c- Installation begins March 27th 2003
d- Expected shipment and clearance of books April 15th 2003
e- Finalization of installation & furnishing May 31st / 2003
f- Unofficial opening June 8th 2003
g- Official opening / during Eid Al Mughtaribin as scheduled function.

4- Financing

In addition to the appreciated help from the municipality, a wide fund raising campaign will be launched on local level as well as through the Shweir.com site. The fund drive which will target the collection of funds as well as books, could be undertaken as follows:

1- Direct Contribution of money from individuals or groups.

2- Covering the expenses of a full package that could be selected from the budgetary cost estimate table, ex. Partitions, chairs, false ceiling etc...

3- Books: as suggested earlier, books could be collected in three main locations abroad. The shipments could be forwarded simultaneously in order to ease the clearance from the customs.

A committee of four members will be formed to handle the financial transactions and expenditures. The committee will include two members from the municipality and two members from the working team. A bank account will be opened in the local bank in Dhour El shweir in order to facilitate the transfer of money from abroad, details will be advised once formalities are finalized.

5- Operation

1- Opening Hours

Fall / Winter (October through March) schedule:
10:00 – 12:30 P.M. and 3:00 – 7:00 P.M. Monday to Friday
10:00 – 12:30 P.M and 2:00 – 7:00 P.M. Saturday

Spring / Summer (April through September) schedule:
9:30 – 12:30 A.M. and 3:30 – 8:00 P.M. Monday - Saturday

2- Membership Although not obligatory, it’s highly recommended to set a nominal fee for membership in the center that will be renewable on yearly basis and will help in covering some expenses of the center as follows:

USD 15 – for adults
Free for Students

3- Exhibitions & Art shows Art rails will be mounted on the walls of the library and could be rented by artists to display their Paintings and Art Work for a limited time and against a nominal fee.

4- Group sessions and Forums The library area could be booked by groups for discussion sessions and forums that could be held on hourly basis and against certain fees.

6- Emblem / Logo The proposed emblem for the center is an open book that has the center’s name written in English and Arabic. Although this is just a proposal, any suggestions regarding this item could be forwarded and a committee will select the best graphical proposal

In the photos below: Oula Aoun, George Moujaes & Riad Khuneisser
presented the above report to Mayor Nabil Ghosn and Baladieh Administrator Sandy Moujaes
(Note that the tile flooring (rekham) of future Community is now completed) sorry photo is of low resolution)

I lately sent an email to Shweir.com, (through this same email, that you can find enclosed here), in which I expressed my deep gratitude to my classmates and especially to my friend Nabil Matar who put great efforts to prepare the beautiful letters about our gathering of class 1962, Eid al Mughtaribin, and had time to prepare also the beautiful piece about me.

This reflected a high commitment towards his village and deep cherish to friendship as a value by itself. This is not strange of Nabil who always was and still is a prominent figure in shweir and in Mahjar and a sincere friend and a person who makes friendship flourish and develop regardless of distance and time.

I read about your project concerning the library in Shweir, it is a very important and constructive initiative, and above all it is very necessary to our village, well known as a cultural center. I congratulate for the idea and I will support your work.

Thanks to all the supporters and contributors from around the world for your help.
Thank you Riad and Omar Khuneisser for scanning and sending us this detailed report.
Thank you George Moujaes and Oula Aoun for creating a great design, specs and budget
Thanks to Dr. Ghosn, the City Council, Sandy Moujaes and all who worked on this report.

Congratulations,
Thank you to all our supporters,
we achieved our Goal in less than 3 months.

-----Original Message-----
From: Matar, George [mailto:gematar@sbec.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 13, 2003 7:02 AM
Subject: Shweir Center update

Sabah Il Kheir

It has been a while since my last update, please excuse my delay, it is work
related.

As of early this week we have:
Committed:      $10,740
Received:       $9,240 combined collections in Lebanon, USA, Saudi, and
England
Outstanding:    $1,500
We also have five names on the list that offer to help but have not enclosed
the amount, so hopefully they will let us know.

Additionally:   From the City Council: $5,000 already spent on the basic
modification of the hall, and an additional $5,000 allocated for a
shortfall.

The total Budget is close to $22,000

Thanks to all that have given their time and effort to help with the
collection, specially, Elias Mattar In England, Michael Sawaya, in Saudi,
Elie Bou Kheir in Texas.... Thanks guys but we are not done yet, just stay
with us for just s little while longer.
We will be sending the donations to Dhour by the end of the March so if you
have not submitted your donation please do so, and for the rest of you "IT
IS NOT TOO LATE" please send donation at your convience to :
Dhour Shweir via George J. Moujaes, Riad Eid Khonaisser, or through the
Baladieh.
In the USA through (endorse your Check to Shweir Foundation)
Shweir Foundation Inc.
2302 Greenbush Rd.
Katy, Texas 77494
USA
In the Gulf Contact Michael Sawaya at michael.sawaya@aramco.com
In Europe contact Elias Mattar his email address edm@stowplc.com

Here is the list of names (Million thanks). If your name SHOULD be on the
list and I missed it PLEASE let me know. The reason could be beacuse you
did not let me know, or we have not received a donation.
Abi Kheir Walid
Abou Nakhla Beshara
Abou Nakhla Hani
Baaklini Nabih *
Baaklini Toufic
Benab Nadia     In memory of Lourice Houbeika
Bou Chebl Salim
Bou Kheir Elie
Collection from England (need Names)
Goodson Frankie
Halabi Habib
Halabi Omar
Halabi Yousef
Hammam Nijad
Hammam Samir
Mattar Elias
Khattar Leila Mattar
Harik Iliya *   Will Pay In Shweir
Harik Mansour   In memory of Iskandar Mansour Harik
Heinl Christina Sawaya
Johnson Don
Jouby Khalid Lara Sawaya *
Kenicer Anwar
Kurban Aziz
Mapar Kamal & Victoria
Matar George
Matar Nabil
Mirhej Michael
Mirhej Saad
Moujaes Alfred
Moujaes Ayat S.
Moujaes Miric
Moujaes Mounir Shahadeh In memory of Jeiryes & Barbara Moujaes
Moujaes Mounir *
Moujaes Roustom
Moujaes Samir & Sylvia
Moujaes Waleed
Nacol Habib
Nassar Nada
Nasser Karim
Salameh Norman & Shirley.
Samaha Mekhael
Sawaya George Elias *
Sawaya Hala
Sawaya Mike
Sawaya Rani
Sawaya Salam
Sawaya Wajih & Lamia

Wow, this is amazing production, yes we are proud of everyone who helped. Bravo.

photos are courtesy of Fawj El Shweir Al Awwal, the scouts group of Shweir
Yes, the photography is surreal, click on the red manger (Mghara), it is multi dimensional.
Congratulations Fadi & the Scouts on your newly found talent.

I am hereby sending you the photos for the latest event that crowned The DHOUR SHWEIR SQUARE early today's evening (Thursday December 12, 2002). The event was the opening of the newly decorated cave in the Se7a, right in front of the municipality building.

A detailed text will be mailed to you by Adelle Halabi (The scout leader) that accredits all the people that have really joined their efforts to achieve this lovely decoration work in our town square.

All that I can say, after I saw the Town Square this night and upon gathering some information concerning the preparations for this year's Christmas, is that we, the Shweiryeh who will be spending their Holidays in Town, are going to love it, and we will be envied by all the people around the world.

I WISH YOU ALL A MERRY MERRY X-MAS and whoever is hesitating to come during his vacation just grab your luggage and come join us.

(Kindly do note that the photos are courtesy of Fawj El Shweir Al Awwal, the scouts group of Shweir)

03- Some shweirieh that were involved in the decoration works with father Elie Khonaysser (the coordinator of the works)

From left to right: Wissam Sawaya, George Rahbani, Father Elie Khonaysser, Fouad Sawaya, Nayla Sawaya, I can't recognize the second lady, and the last to the right is Ziad Hawchar

05- Photo depicting the Rond point, the Municipality with the cave in front of it, and the Dhour Shweir Hotel to the right.

06- Photo depicting the Rond point, the Municipality with the cave in front of it, and the Moukhales church to the left.

07- Photo depicting the Rond point and the Municipality with the cave in front of it.

09- A detail of the portraying the virgin Mary and St. Joseph standing in front of the newly born Jesus, who is laying in his manger.

10- In the for ground, the virgin Mary and St. Joseph standing in front of the newly born Jesus and are being approached by the first wise man . The back ground the Main Elevation of the Dhour El Shweir Hotel.

Miss Christina Sawaya, Miss International 2002, Miss Lebanon 2001/2003, was the guest of honor in the surprise party at BAYTNA, which was given by the Elderly Guests at the home and the Baytna administration with few ladies and gentlemen from both societies and Baytna helpers.

Christina, a Shweirieh in the identity card and the First Lady in her, deep hearted, feelings towards our elderly parents, came with her mother and father to pay a visit to our parents living in Baytna, as she always does. Christina was back from Tokyo after electing her Miss International. Every time she travels, the fist thing she does after coming back, is paying a visit to the Elderly Ladies and Gentlemen living in Bytna, the project that she works for and is helping in making it better and bigger.

The ladies of the two societies, Sayidet Al Bishara and Is3aaf, were ready for the visit. Each one of them prepared a special dish for the occasion to congratulate Christina in her new title. Christina was surprised by the ladies action when she saw all the food that was prepared specially for her. Christina was very happy in seeing the elderly ladies laughing and clapping their hand to salute her. The first thing Christina did was kissing the old ladies and asking them about how they feel. Every body was happy with Christina and her parents. Drinks and food were served and every body raised their cups to drink for the queen health and
success.

Mr. Nassif Sawaya, Christina father, read a poem of his, about Christina success, Shweir and Lebanon. It was a piece of heart from a father to his daughter and to his hometown and country. Christina, a young and very beautiful modest lady, made every body loves her in Shweir and everywhere. She made her aim, the helping of old people in their last part of life in a descent healthy way, and she worked and is working with the other societies in Shweir to make the dream true. Every time she is in the Media, in every place she appears, Shweir and elderly project comes first in her speech. Her attitude and actions made all of us thing of her highly not because she is very beautiful and attractive from outside only but because she is more beautiful from inside.

Thank you Riad & Omar Khuneisser for taking, scanning and sending the pictures and for your report.

Shweir.com note: can someone provide us with copy of Nassif Sawaya's poem about his daughter Christina so we can post here?
Thank you. and Thank Riad for sending us a copy... click on it below to enlarge...

-----Original Message-----
From:   Riad Khunieser
Sent:   Friday, April 12, 2002 9:00 AM
To:     Matar, George
Subject:    Working Together

Dear Nabil, Anwar & George
I am very happy to tell you that at last good events are happening in our home town these days. As you all know, all "non profit organizations" working in Shweir are doing their best for the welfare of the people in Shweir and the neighbourhood (no doubt about that), but they are used to work separately and not as group. Each society does whatever seems to her its the most important. The only cooperation between them stops after congratulation visits or celebrations.
The Shweir Social Services & Rescue, Is3af, group started ,alone working on a big project (for more than two years), The project was for a retirement home. This project was the aim and dream for all societies in Shweir for a long time, but non of them could make it true. As you know, Mar Elias Orthodox Monastry gave the land (14.000m2) and the
Is3af started working for the official papers and for the maps. The Is3af found out that the project will take time and the need for a retirement home now is essential. The idea of a mini retirement home came out. I can tell you now that the two societies, Akhawiyet Sayidet Al Beshara and the Is3af are working together to make this project real. þFor the first time in years we see two groups working together aiming at the same point. The Retirement Home (mini retirement home) will open its doors to our parents very soon
(may be next month) after the new furniture and equipments are ready. Both societies will share in every thing, money, helping, directing etc. The openning will happen with the presence of Miss Lebanon and both Orthodox and Catholic Archbishops and others. The project is a very important one for Shweir and others and we hope every body will join. The door is open for all organizations to join and share while every effort is needed.
I want to tell you friend, that the cooperation and working togather for Shweir between our organizations made us more than happy.   God bless them and bless you all in helping each other.
Riad Khunieser

-----Original Message-----
From: Matar, George
Sent: Friday, April 12, 2002 9:31 AM

This is a great message ya Riad, I love hearing stuff like that, it confirms to me that there is hope for our village. Working together is the only way.
I pasted the message on the Bulletin Board for all to see.
Thank you Ya Riad
George

-----Original Message-----
From: Matar, Nabil
Sent: Friday, April 12, 2002 7:47 AM

Habib Al Alb Abou Najib
That goes for me too, I hope the third Society (Al Aghathy) will join the effort too. This Goes in line with the unity massage my brother Archbishop Habib posted in the web site.
Riad, I came back today to the office and will be in Houston next week, I hope you and Rouba have a chance to work on the Plaques.
Thanks for this nice massage buddy
Nabil E. Matar

-----Original Message-----
From: A. G. Kenicer
Sent: Friday, April 12, 2002 11:41 AM

Invitation card, for each and every one of you, >to the opening ceremony of "BEITANA", "Our Home".

Dear...shweir.com family, Marhaba, In the name of the two societies; Sayidet Al Beshara and Al Isaaf wal Khadamat, who like to invite you to the opening of their new shared project "Beitana", I tell you, ahlan wa sahlan, welcome on the 19th of May 2002 in Shweir to celebrate with our old shabab, men and women, their new temporary home. This project, "The Retirement Home", was the dream of all societies and old Shweirieh since ages.

On this occasion, I can't say except that, there is still men and women in Shweir working together in new projects for the benefit of all Shweirieh and neighbours. Your support, in all deferent ways, is much needed. Thank you, keep working for your Shweir, and God bless you all.

-----Original Message-----
From: Matar, George [mailto:gematar@sbec.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 08, 2002 9:59 AM
Subject: A reminder and an Invitation Card

Dear Shweirieh All Over

Second I received this invitation from Riad Eid Khunieser that he addresses to the Shweir.com Family. This is a truly unified effort for the two organization, and nothing pleases me better that seeing Shweiri hands joins together for the benefit of our village. When you go to Shweir this year make sure you go visit and carry a small gift or flower to make one or more of the residents smile....I bet you it will be worth your while.

Your Mukhtar bil Mahjar
George Matar

-----Original Message-----
From: Fincorp [mailto:fincorp@beirut.com]
Sent: Monday, May 20, 2002 12:09 AM
To: George Matar; Nabil' 'Matar; 'Kenicer Anwar'

Dear Shweir.com Family

On Saturday I received the stretchers in Dhour (Stretchers1.jpg)
The Box looked great (so did the stretchers) good job Nabil & Habib !!
I sent the stretchers and accessories to the Social &Rescue Services in preparation to Sunday's opening of their ne

From	$$ paid
Baladieh - Generous start from Mayor Ghosn & Council	10,000
Dr. Karim Nasser - Canada - Via Shweir Foundation	5,000
Yousef Halabi donated "Drop Ceiling"	1,300
Mansour Harik via Shweir Foundation	1,000


		and latest picture of progress on Library & Community Center > > >


				HAPPY HOLIDAYS