In a tiny town snuggled about halfway between Nabatiyeh and Bint Jbeil, politics, tradition, and finances take their toll on a local NGO. The Association for a Better Society (ABS), based in the largely pro-Amal town of Souaneh, has plans to renovate a park, host inter-sectarian dialogue sessions, and increase the size of their multilingual library.

But ABS and other local Lebanese NGOs, unlike branches of international organizations that operate in southern Lebanon, face social, political, and financial pressures that have significantly restricted their work. These limitations broadly are manifested in the types of activities hosted and the funding sources solicited. Nabil, an organizer for ABS who preferred not to use his real name because of political repercussions, described the restrictions on his group’s activities.
 

“We hold English classes, Mother’s Day celebrations, and forums on the environment and civic responsibilities,” Nabil told NOW. “But we can’t bring a singer to a celebration.” Hosting a musician, performing a dance other than dabke, or hosting co-ed physical activities would be out of the question, Nabil said. He attributed it to the need to remain within the “traditions and customs” of the conservative Shiite society in which ABS operates. [Link]