Lebanese entrepreneur Omar Abodib, owner of Le Donjon and Bel Ami in France, has strong ties to Lebanon, so much so that he has launched an initiative to support those affected by the Beirut blast. HN learns more.
Why did you launch the Together for Beirut initiative?
My father’s family, who live in Lebanon, and several people I know were affected by the devastating Beirut port explosion that occurred on August 4. That’s why I decided to invite my team as well as friends, customers, partners, suppliers and local producers to join forces and launch the Together for Beirut initiative. I felt the need to help for the sake of this beautiful city that I love and out of solidarity towards my family, my colleagues’ families and the Lebanese people.
What can you tell us more about the initiative?
Since October, we’ve collected donations, equipment, accessories and appliances to help reconstruct La Sagesse University’s faculty of hospitality management and the hospitality sector in Beirut. We also hosted on gala and charity dinners on October 16, which took place at the Donjon and Bel Ami restaurants in order to raise funds for Arcenciel, a Lebanese non-profit organization
What do you hope to achieve during your forthcoming trip to Beirut?
The Donjon and Bel Ami teams will be in Beirut for the arrival of the Together for Beirut container. We will help distribute the supplies and donations and meet with the Arcenciel volunteers. We are looking forward to sharing this beautiful human adventure and remain optimistic that Beirut will once again rise from the ashes.
About author
Rita Ghantous
Rita Ghantous is a hospitality aficionado and a passionate writer with over 9 years’ experience in journalism and 5 years experience in the hospitality sector. Her passion for the performance arts and writing, started early. At 10 years old she was praised for her solo performance of the Beatles song “All My Love” accompanied by a guitarist, and was approached by a French talent scout during her school play. However, her love for writing was stronger. Fresh out of school, she became a freelance journalist for Noun Magazine and was awarded the Silver Award Cup for Outstanding Poetry, by The International Library of Poetry (Washington DC). She studied Business Management and earned a Masters degree from Saint Joseph University (USJ), her thesis was published in the Proche-Orient, Études en Management book. She then pursued a career in the hospitality industry but didn’t give up writing, that is why she launched the Four Points by Sheraton Le Verdun Newsletter. Her love for the industry and journalism led her to Hospitality Services - the organizers of the HORECA trade show in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan, as well as Salon Du Chocolat, Beirut Cooking Festival, Whisky Live and other regional shows. She is currently the Publications Executive of Hospitality News Middle East, Taste & Flavors and Lebanon Traveler. It is with ultimate devotion for her magazines that she demonstrates her hospitality savoir-faire.
