Interview with Abby Sewell, AP Bureau Chief in Beirut

Abby Sewell is the Bureau Chief of Associated Press (AP) in Beirut, covering Lebanon, Syria and Iraq. Her time in Lebanon started in 2016 with a 3-months service as volunteer at the R&R Peace Centre. Before coming here, she was already an accomplished journalist at the Los Angeles Times, but the Syrian war didn’t leave her indifferent. “I just felt that I needed to be here,” she shares, reflecting on her decision to dive into the heart of the community.

For 3 whole months, Abby lived with us at the Peace centre in Bkarzla, Akkar, directly interacting with refugees and becoming part of their daily struggles and triumphs. “It’s a different experience when you’re in a village… you’re there as part of their daily lives,” she explains. Her involvement allowed her to witness both the challenges and the incredible resilience of the people she worked with.

One of the most rewarding aspects for Abby has been seeing the kids she helped with their homework succeeding at school. Today, some of those who’ve been part of our long-standing educational programs are going to university. “At some point in the future, these kids are going to have an opportunity to contribute to rebuilding their country,” she believes.