FULBRIGHT CHICAGO WOULD LIKE to extend our heartfelt condolences to everyone affected by the tragedy in Beirut. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Fulbright alumni, students, their families and friends, and the people of Lebanon.
Cyril Bassil, a Fulbright grantee (2015-2017) who pursued an MFA in Cinema Directing at Columbia College Chicago has reached out to us. “I’m currently writing to you with my bruised hands, bruised from the explosion that occurred in Beirut four days ago. I was at my office in Beirut Digital District when the explosion occurred and was catapulted a few meters further into the office. This being said, now is time to hold hands and help Beirut rise again and hopefully walk towards a new day and a new system for the country.”
Bassil, along with others have started working on the ground, cleaning houses, searching for suppliers, distributing Covid-19 preventive supplies, helping families reconnect with relatives. They have set up the Human Chain for Beirut, a GoFundMe to fundraise money and contribute to the rebuilding of the city.
Our local Fulbright Association chapter is also here for our fellow Fulbrighters of Lebanon in the Chicago community. If you are able to aid in a relief effort for the people of Beirut, and find out more information on how to help, please do so here.
Illustration with photo by Freimut Bahlo
FULBRIGHT CHICAGO 