Inaugurated with the spirit of for the people, by the people, The Wall of Kindness in Beirut is both a social experiment and charity, with both parts kind. It is a simple structure inviting the public to donate items they no longer need and take only items they do need. “It is a means to de-institutionalize charity and reignite a deep-rooted faith in humanity,” further explains Agha.

In the spirit of Christmas, one family venture took to decorating Beirut’s Wall of Kindness with colorful Christmas bags that each carry a piece of clothing for teenage girls and women. Each bag contains a washed, ironed, and nicely-packed piece of clothing or accessory for whomever would like to pick one up.

“Clothing is a basic item that enables quality of life and dignity. Today’s Christmas bags are not for charity. They are gifts. Every citizen in need in our Beirut deserves to know that we are thinking of them in this holiday season,” says Lynn Zovighian, Managing Director of The Zovighian Partnership (ZP), and also a founding citizen of the initiative.

The Zovighian Partnership Team put up 118 Christmas presents on the Wall, and got to welcome and invite fellow citizens to take a gift to a sister, mother, or daughter. “Not every one of our Beirutis get to offer a gift to a loved one this Christmas,” explains Joy Saade, Strategic Communications Analyst at ZP. “This year, Beirut’s Wall of Kindness has the honor of inviting you to pick up a gift for a girl or woman you care for.”

In Lebanon, where gender equity public policy is being increasingly encouraged and promoted, such initiatives are a reminder that gender equity is not just a government policy or law, but even more so, a social culture that encourages respect and protection in daily life and interactions with one another.

“This year’s Christmas is a special call-out to women and girls in our city. And yet, our little gesture is hardly ‘special’, but simply what we believe each woman should do for another if she can,” says Alexandra Chen, Expert Advisor to The Zovighian Partnership. “At our core, we all understand that having clothing, especially clean clothing, is central to our sense of dignity and self-esteem. But not everyone can take that for granted. And because Christmas is about love, we wanted to encourage those around us to also do small things with great love.”

Zovighian further explains: “So if you are a young woman going to a job interview, and you need a nice top or dress... or you are a mother who wants to welcome your children home for the holidays after a challenging year, we want to help make that happen too.”

Beirut’s Wall of Kindness has become a regular stage for acts of kindness by its citizens. This time around, a corporate citizen has chosen the Wall as a place from which to serve society.

Michel Zovighian, Chairperson of The Zovighian Partnership explains, “As businesses, we must never forget that we are the building blocks of our country. We must serve our country and the Lebanese people.” Zovighian adds, “Companies have stronger capacity to take risk and grow, and need to pull their weight in building a sustainable Lebanon.”

“We have a responsibility to uplift; to uplift the economy and the people, and to demonstrate that hope has a future,” says Lynn Zovighian. She adds, “In this Christmas season, we wanted to do just that in the face of challenging economic times and an uncertain political future in our Lebanon. We could all use a bit of happy news to make our day. And I hope this small act warms the hearts of our fellow corporate citizens to step up and make this holiday extra special for everyone.”

The Wall of Kindness is located on Abdel Aziz Street, near the historic campus of the American University of Beirut. Agha explains: “It is an ode to our prevailing unity and strength as Lebanese and a nod to our turbulent history, so that we may never forget it.”