The first week of activities of the Music & Resilience project in Lebanon has been concluded. It was a week marked by interruptions, programme changes, sudden decisions and a lot, a lot, of adaptability. The bombings in Beirut and Tehran, so close together and so impetuous, shook an already precarious everyday life: musical activities in Beirut were suspended after only a day and even the possibility of going to Sidon to visit our friends in Ein-El-Helwa vanished, on Assomoud’s advice.

Instead, in Tripoli, where the entire M&R volunteer group has gathered, activities continue with enthusiasm and participation. There is anticipation for next week’s summer camp, which should finally bring together students from five refugee camps: Nahr-El-Bared, Beddawi, Shatila, Ein-El-Helwa and Rashidiye to build together the repertoire for a big final concert.

The anticipation is high, but we face hour after hour with the doubt that the summer camp can be held and completed as planned, that students from all over Lebanon can reach the cultural centre in the mountains near Tripoli and sit next to each other to play their instruments. The departure is scheduled for tomorrow morning, the boys and girls already have their luggage ready but the rumours from the international front are not reassuring.

We are carefully looked after in every activity, in every move. The Assomoud coordinators give us directions and safety precautions, the staff are always available to respond to our needs, to make us feel at home. It matters little if sometimes, as it has always been, there is a lack of water, light or the body does not respond well to stress and heat. Day and night there is always extra attention, care and hospitality that make us feel part of a big Palestinian family.