How to Save a Life

The Lebanese Red Cross (LRC) is a humanitarian organization. The LRC was established on July 9, 1945 as an independent national society. A year later, it was recognized by the State as a public non-profit organization and as an auxiliary team to the medical service of the Lebanese Army. In 1947, it joined the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement which has today affiliates in 175 countries and became a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies ever since. In addition, the LRC is a founding member of the Secretariat General of the Organization of the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Societies.

The Lebanese Red Cross Society is led by volunteers, whose mission is to provide relief to victims of natural and human made disasters, and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies, and to mitigate the suffering of the most vulnerable.

The Fundamental Principles of the Lebanese Red Cross

1. Humanity

2. Impartiality

3. Neutrality

4. Independence

5. Voluntary Service

6. Unity

7. Universality

Becoming a volunteer in the Red Cross, is one of the life experiences that you would not want to miss out on.  As a volunteer, you have the chance to help people in need in their most critical times, whether it is an injury from war, or a person having a heart attack, or just another kid who fell off of his bike. You learn all the skills, and get several trainings on the essential skills, so you can perform the work on national, and international levels. 

Call 140!!

As a kid who grew up beside a Red Cross Branch, the slightest injury would result in me going there and getting my wound cleaned and have a band aid put on it... As I grew up, that aroused  my interests, in the meaning of who are these people, what do they do, and why do they do what they do... And that was the beginning of the journey as a volunteer-although it was not a very long duration, and I would have liked it to be much longer... There is a rush , that can not be explained when you rush in the ambulance to answer a call of a person in need... Mind you, it's not only the critical situations that make you feel good, it is also the simplest acts, where you did something, to help someone that makes you feel good about yourself, and about what you are doing as a whole thing; it can be taking the blood pressure of someone who does not know how to do it, can make you feel good.

Another important thing is what you learn in the process before you can become a volunteer. You will learn all the first aid techniques and some surviving strategies that you need as a human being, if you ever face an ordeal. For example what to do when there is a fire at your house(call 125, and breathe through a wet cloth), and what not to do(break glass, or turn on the lights). Another example, what to do if you get bit by a poisonous snake. And one of the most important things you learn, is how to do CPR...

Last but not least, one of the most enjoyable things, that made my experience as a volunteer was the people that I met, and the friends that I made! :)

So, GO AHEAD, and volunteer in the Red Cross. You owe it to yourself, and to other people. The feeling you get when you help people, and save lives, is really priceless and out of this world. In addition, you will learn all the basic first aid techniques, so you can use them anywhere while waiting for the ambulance to come. You can help spread awareness, and help other people know what you know. Volunteers trained in health education disseminate correct health information and promote healthy habits in nutrition, hygiene, environment, prevention against common and transmissible diseases and home accidents... I'm not going to say how great it is to be a volunteer, but if you want to start repaying society, this is a good way to start!

... because TOGETHER WE COULD SAVE A LIFE