A collaboration for change
In a heartfelt effort to improve the well-being of children battling chronic diseases, the Geneva non-profit organization ALAM Suisse partnered with the Lebanese organization Cocoon 4 Us to initiate and implement The POSITIVE Project, a holistic program dedicated to supporting pediatric patients through sensory, emotional, and therapeutic activities. Together, ALAM Suisse and Cocoon 4 Us set out to transform the often intimidating hospital environment into one of holistic well-being, joy, and empowerment for young patients through self-discovery.
Dr. Roula Farah, Pediatric Oncologist at LAUMC-Rizk Hospital and President of CHANCE NGO, described this transformation:
Children and their families feel very distressed and anxious when they are admitted to a hospital… With the activities organized by the POSITIVE Project and ALAM, this fear of the hospital is fading away.
A journey of transformation
The initiative debuted at the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Unit at St. George Hospital in Beirut, where children were introduced to innovative well-being interactions designed to mitigate the emotional burden of illness and hospitalization and help them become the main actors of their curing process. The pilot’s success catalyzed its expansion to Hôtel-Dieu de France University Medical Center, LAU Medical Center-Rizk Hospital, Hôpital Libanais Geitaoui, with more institutions set to join.
Mme Norma Aouad, Pediatric Unit Head Supervisor at Hôtel-Dieu de France UMC, observed:
The team is dynamic—it brings positivity into the lives of the children, their families, their parents, and especially the medical team itself.
The initiative debuted at the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Unit at St. George Hospital in Beirut, where children were introduced to innovative well-being interactions designed to mitigate the emotional burden of illness and hospitalization and help them become the main actors of their curing process. The pilot’s success catalyzed its expansion to Hôtel-Dieu de France University Medical Center, LAU Medical Center-Rizk Hospital, Hôpital Libanais Geitaoui, with more institutions set to join.
Mme Norma Aouad, Pediatric Unit Head Supervisor at Hôtel-Dieu de France UMC, observed:
The team is dynamic—it brings positivity into the lives of the children, their families, their parents, and especially the medical team itself.
A holistic approach to healing
The POSITIVE Project focuses on boosting emotional and psychological resilience through a broad spectrum of engaging interactions, such as:
Art Therapy, fine motricity, sensorial motricity and synesthesia
Mindfulness, “Feel your Vibe”, Qi Gong, “Breath and Sound”, …
Clown Doctors, Free Expression, Laugh & Play, Magic Therapy
Music Therapy, Contextual Music, …
Hakawati, Puppet Therapy, …
… among others.
These initiatives not only support the children but also uplift families and healthcare staff, creating a nurturing, positive ecosystem within the hospital.
The POSITIVE Project focuses on boosting emotional and psychological resilience through a broad spectrum of engaging interactions, such as:
Art Therapy, fine motricity, sensorial motricity and synesthesia
Mindfulness, “Feel your Vibe”, Qi Gong, “Breath and Sound”, …
Clown Doctors, Free Expression, Laugh & Play, Magic Therapy
Music Therapy, Contextual Music, …
Hakawati, Puppet Therapy, …
… among others.
These initiatives not only support the children but also uplift families and healthcare staff, creating a nurturing, positive ecosystem within the hospital.
Dr. Peter Noun, Head of Pediatric Oncology & Hematology at St. George Hospital UMC, emphasized the broad benefits:
“We’ve made a lot of progress in many fields: psychology, psychotherapy, music therapy… These will help children accept the hospital, accept treatment, and move forward.”
Mme Darine Nohra, Head Nurse at LAUMC-Rizk, echoed this sentiment:
“When the child and their parents are at ease, it has a positive impact on the staff and makes interactions with the child easier.”
Tangible impact & deep gratitude
Since its launch, The POSITIVE Project has touched hundreds of pediatric lives, bringing comfort, distraction, and renewed hope. Families are discovering unexpected joys amidst their hardships.
One mother shared her experience:
“My son is seven and has been battling cancer lymphoma. We learn something new with every session. Once, his treatment coincided with his birthday… so we celebrated with them, and it brought us great joy.”
Since its launch, The POSITIVE Project has touched hundreds of pediatric lives, bringing comfort, distraction, and renewed hope. Families are discovering unexpected joys amidst their hardships.
One mother shared her experience:
“My son is seven and has been battling cancer lymphoma. We learn something new with every session. Once, his treatment coincided with his birthday… so we celebrated with them, and it brought us great joy.”
Children now look forward to hospital visits—something once unimaginable.
Elsy Rababelian, a monitor at St. George Hospital, shared:
“Children even started telling their parents they looked forward to going to the hospital to have fun and learn new things.”
And from the father of Elias, a fourteen-year old patient:
These activities give him hope, lift his mood, and help him relax and enjoy.
Children now look forward to hospital visits—something once unimaginable.
Elsy Rababelian, a monitor at St. George Hospital, shared:
“Children even started telling their parents they looked forward to going to the hospital to have fun and learn new things.”
And from the father of Elias, a fourteen-year old patient:
These activities give him hope, lift his mood, and help him relax and enjoy.
Nurses, too, are witnessing transformation firsthand. Mme Jeanette Chantiri Head Nurse of St. George UMC pediatric oncology unit noted:
“These activities help children relax and keep them occupied during treatment. It’s distracting them, they’re always looking forward to it.”
Fueling optimism in crisis
Lebanon’s ongoing economic and political turmoil makes this initiative even more vital.
Rana Karout, project expert, reflected:
“As a paramedical intervention team, we are leading a pioneering project during a delicate time. The POSITIVE Project came at just the right moment for this city and this country.”
Even experts themselves from the POSITIVE project community have been deeply moved. Joumana Massoud, another expert, shared:
“Working with the children has been like an enlightenment to me.”
Lebanon’s ongoing economic and political turmoil makes this initiative even more vital.
Rana Karout, project expert, reflected:
“As a paramedical intervention team, we are leading a pioneering project during a delicate time. The POSITIVE Project came at just the right moment for this city and this country.”
Even experts themselves from the POSITIVE project community have been deeply moved. Joumana Massoud, another expert, shared:
“Working with the children has been like an enlightenment to me.”
Looking to the future
The POSITIVE Project continues to evolve through hands-on learning and compassionate innovation. Its growing success has sparked plans for nationwide expansion, ensuring that even more children can access joy, creativity, and healing in the midst of medical adversity.
As Dr. Noun affirmed:
I really encourage them. I’m glad they’re with us, and we’d love to continue the journey together.
ALAM and its partners remain committed to this transformative journey, ensuring that every child facing illness is met with hope, positivity, and the tools to navigate their treatment with strength and joy. Through continuous collaboration and innovation, The POSITIVE Project is redefining pediatric care, one smile at a time.
The POSITIVE Project continues to evolve through hands-on learning and compassionate innovation. Its growing success has sparked plans for nationwide expansion, ensuring that even more children can access joy, creativity, and healing in the midst of medical adversity.
As Dr. Noun affirmed:
I really encourage them. I’m glad they’re with us, and we’d love to continue the journey together.
ALAM and its partners remain committed to this transformative journey, ensuring that every child facing illness is met with hope, positivity, and the tools to navigate their treatment with strength and joy. Through continuous collaboration and innovation, The POSITIVE Project is redefining pediatric care, one smile at a time.