Roger Nasnas
President of the Association
The Greek Catholic Welfare Association of Beirut and its Suburbs is a non-political and secular organization. Over a hundred years, it has been working with the mission of helping the underprivileged, the sick and elderly, without distinction of sect or religion.
The Association was established in 1883 in Beirut, on the initiative of notables of the Greek Catholic community, under the name of “Greek-Catholic Benevolent Society in Beirut”. In 1969, the name and the articles of the Association were officially changed to “The Greek Catholic Welfare Association of Beirut and its Suburbs” to meet the modern standards of social assistance.
Our current board, nominated by His Eminence Bishop Cyrille Bustros, Metropolitan of Beirut, Jbeil and its Suburbs for the Melkite Greek Catholic, is the Forty Second since our inception.
We now cover four main areas of activities and services: medical services, social help, assistance to seniors and support to children.
Despite difficulties driven by the events of late eighties in Lebanon, the Association took the challenge and opened on November 26, 1991 a Day Care Center for seniors.
This initiative developed over the years resulting in the emergence of the Oasis de Vie (ODV) – Continuum of Healthcare Center. This initiative came in accordance with the wish of late Mrs. Marie Yousef Aftimos, wife of late Maître Nemr Hebbe, who offered the land in their memory, where the Center is now built.
This project was further funded by the sale of some properties that belonged to the Hebbe Family, and of some properties belonged to the Association that was donated by late Mr. Bassil Yared, in addition to generous donations that helped cover a good part of the costs; all coming together to bring this project to life and build a unique healthcare center in the heart of Beirut.
ODV is the first of its kind in Lebanon, with a mission to serve the people and provide unique patient care for our communities. ODV will strive to reflect the mission of the Association by partially subsidizing services for the underprivileged and those less fortunate in our societies.
On behalf of the Board members of the Greek Catholic Welfare Association of Beirut and its Suburbs, I am proud to welcome you to Oasis de Vie and its vibrant and lively community.