At the age of seventeen, Naji suffered a traumatic brain injury due to a motorbike accident. The driver of the motorbike, Naji’s friend, was killed instantly. Naji was in a coma for two months, and when he woke up, he was unable to move, speak or see.

Naji’s rehabilitation period was a journey of courage, faith, and determination, which he chose to write about in his trilogy:

Virtual Patience (Before READ MORE >>]]> Naji’s Books Available to Download in 7 languages

At the age of seventeen, Naji suffered a traumatic brain injury due to a motorbike accident. The driver of the motorbike, Naji’s friend, was killed instantly. Naji was in a coma for two months, and when he woke up, he was unable to move, speak or see.

Naji’s rehabilitation period was a journey of courage, faith, and determination, which he chose to write about in his trilogy:

Virtual Patience (Before the accident up to a certain stage of recovery)

Little Book of Inspirational Thoughts & Writing (Time During Recovery)

Virtuous Life Enlightenment (Experience After Recovery)

By writing and publishing these books, Naji wanted to relay a message of hope to all those suffering from a disability, especially brain injury.

“We Are All Born To Shine”! This was the message Naji wanted to communicate to patients, families, and therapists affected by brain injuries. He encourages those suffering from an illness or disability to be proactive and change their destiny by believing in themselves and going beyond what they are told they can do.

These books are available for download, free of charge, in 7 languages, from this website – publications section and we are glad to deliver printed copies in Arabic to every establishment or person who may benefit from them.

For the third consecutive year, The Naji Cherfan Foundation targeted hospitals on December 25. The mission was to carol the halls of hospitals and celebrate the birth of Jesus with nurses, doctors, and the patients who were too sick to go home for the holidays.

The group consisted of a choir of 4 professional singers conducted by Dr. Alain Chalhoub and more than 15 volunteers from The Naji Cherfan Foundation. Father Joseph Abdel Sater READ MORE >>]]> Christmas Mission 2011

For the third consecutive year, The Naji Cherfan Foundation targeted hospitals on December 25. The mission was to carol the halls of hospitals and celebrate the birth of Jesus with nurses, doctors, and the patients who were too sick to go home for the holidays.

The group consisted of a choir of 4 professional singers conducted by Dr. Alain Chalhoub and more than 15 volunteers from The Naji Cherfan Foundation. Father Joseph Abdel Sater led the group and made special prayers to each patient visited.

“Only now I felt Christmas” a lady said, “I saw Jesus in your faces tonight” another man said. Tears mixed with true joy and sincere feelings ruled this evening. This tradition has been bringing comfort to hundreds of the sick and dying and their families and care givers each year; and in addition to sweets and candies, a special prayer for Saint Augustine for the sick and dying was distributed this year.

The hospitals toured this year were St. George Ajaltoun, Notre Dame Du Liban Jounieh, and St. Louis Maameltein. Thanks to these hospitals, the NCF volunteers, the health care personnel, and all patients lived a true Christmas. May the miracle of God’s love and his free gift of eternal life and peace be yours this year and always. Merry Christmas!

Please follow this link to watch a short movie of this event YouTube Link.

Our mission is to celebrate with our children the true spirit of Christmas. It is the most wonderful time of the year, and yet for others it is a season to survive, and it is a season of loneliness and sorrow. Everybody deserves to have one common READ MORE >>]]> For the second consecutive year, the “Christmas Caroling for A Cause” concert was organized to bring the spirit of Christmas to the reach of all children, especially vulnerable kids.

Our mission is to celebrate with our children the true spirit of Christmas. It is the most wonderful time of the year, and yet for others it is a season to survive, and it is a season of loneliness and sorrow. Everybody deserves to have one common Happy and Merry Christmas.

This unique event mobilized 800 people. Like last year, the choir consisted of Mothers, Daughters, Sons and Grandmothers. Choir members came from various career backgrounds; doctors, lawyers, architects, psychologists, cinematographers, producers, media professionals, IT specialists, business women, civil society activists and full time mothers.  The choir was conducted by the Choirmaster and Composer Reverend Father Khalil Rahme and the stage was directed by Ranya Rahbany.

We were 100 people on Stage, Symphonic Band and Choir committed to spend a different kind of Christmas. This year The youth Symphonic Band of LeBAM participated with us as the accompanying Orchestra and was conducted by Serghei Bolun, LeBAM-Lebanese Band Association for the promotion of Music, is the brainchild of Ghassan Moukhaiber, was created together with Ghassan Tueni, and the late Dr. Walid Gholmieh, former director of the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music. The organization began with one school in Beit Meri three years ago and now in Baskinta and Jdeideh. Students come from the surrounding areas, and instruments are free, while teachers, mostly from the National Conservatory, receive a nominal fee. From LeBAM, we had 50 musicians on stage, aged from 7 to 17 years old, for further info www.lebam.org.

As guest performers, The Lebanese School for The Blind and The Deaf participated with us.

As we did last year for  “Christmas Caroling for a cause”, the audience was divided between friends and deprived kids coming from the poorest of the poor families and Orphanages.

Beneficiary Associations

1. Oeuvre Social de la jeune fille du liban – les sœurs missionaires du tres saints sacrement – Ain warka
2. Ecole paradis d’enfants – Jounieh
3. La colonie du Groupement Social Scout – Jounieh
4. Association chrétienne caritative hadath.
5. The group accompanying Father aghapios Naous from St. Elie Orthodox Church – Rabieh

Bad moods and negative vibes from other people can be contagious. Is there a way to protect yourself from becoming crabby and unhappy? Dr. Judith Orloff, the author of “Emotional Freedom”, believes it IS possible to navigate away from the negative influence of others. Emotions such as fear, anger, and frustration are energies. You can unintentionally absorb them like a sponge if you don’t protect yourself. Here are strategies from Dr. Judith to help avoid people’s negative emotions.

DISTANCE YO URSELF READ MORE >>]]> STOP ABSORBING OTHER PEOPLE’s NEGATIVITY

Bad moods and negative vibes from other people can be contagious. Is there a way to protect yourself from becoming crabby and unhappy? Dr. Judith Orloff, the author of “Emotional Freedom”, believes it IS possible to navigate away from the negative influence of others. Emotions such as fear, anger, and frustration are energies. You can unintentionally absorb them like a sponge if you don’t protect yourself. Here are strategies from Dr. Judith to help avoid people’s negative emotions.

DISTANCE YO URSELF FRO M THE NEGATIVE PERSON

In a social setting, never hesitate to relocate yourself if you become uncomfortable or sense a negative vibe from another person.

TAKE A DEE P BREATH

If you become stressed by someone else’s mood, take time to breathe deeply. Inhale calmness and exhale negativity. Visualize negativity as gray fog lifting from your body. Picture hope as a golden light entering you. With practice, this can bring rapid results.

SHIELD YO URSELF

Visualize an envelope of white light surrounding your entire body. Think of it as a shield that blocks negativity but allows positive things to enter. Many healers use this concept to protect themselves.

SEE K POSITIVE PEOPLE AND SITUATION S

Spend time with hopeful people and friends who see the good in others. Call people who appreciate the positive side of situations. Concentrate on good and hopeful words, happy songs, and beautiful art. Hope is contagious. It will flow into your life if you believe!

In time, it won’t be necessary to look for ways to get rid of stress each time you are overloaded with negativity if you practice these simple strategies.

Source: Judith Orloff, M.D., beliefnet.com, drjudithorloff.com. Adapted from “Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself From Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life” by Judith Orloff, M.D. (Three Rivers Press, 2010)

Is my child happy? Here’s a million dollar question! And what if the answer is NO! Is there something you can do about it? One thing is for sure; happiness cannot be bought or wrapped in a present to be given on a birthday. Showering children with toys is also not the right way to make a child happy because experts say that it will READ MORE >>]]> How to raise a happy child!

Is my child happy? Here’s a million dollar question! And what if the answer is NO! Is there something you can do about it? One thing is for sure; happiness cannot be bought or wrapped in a present to be given on a birthday. Showering children with toys is also not the right way to make a child happy because experts say that it will get in the way of their longtime happiness denying them the chance from developing certain important tools.

The good news is you don’t have to be an expert in child psychology to steer your child toward happiness. Here are eight key strategies you can use to raise a happy child:

Learn to read the signs

As your child matures he’ll become a pro at showing you when something makes him content or upset. His face lights up when you enter the room or he wails when someone takes away his favorite toy.

But if your baby is crying, how do you know if he’s in pain, hungry, or just bored? “A mother will learn to pick up on different kinds of cries and facial expressions,” says Paul C. Holinger, professor of psychiatry at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago. “The eyebrows, the mouth, and vocalizations are all signaling systems for the baby.” And mothers know the language!

Experts say youngest infants don’t really feel happy when they look happy, the good news is they’re not emotionally aware when they’re screaming, either. Experts explain that the “cortical emotion centers” of your baby’s brain don’t begin to function until he’s 6 to 8 months old, when he starts to feel the emotions that seem so vivid on his face.

Your baby probably has his own ways of showing you when he’s not content. Some babies may cry, while others become clingy. As you get to know your own child’s temperament, you’ll become better at learning the signs that something’s not right in his world.

Make room for fun

Your baby might smile at a favorite toy or a colorful picture, but what really make her happy is YOU. And that’s the first key to creating a happy child. Connect with your child and have fun with her; this is what is called ‘connected childhood,’ which is a crucial element to steer your child towards happiness on the long run.

Your child will develop essential skills through play. As she gets older, unstructured play will allow her to discover what she loves to do! And play doesn’t mean music class, organized sports, and other structured, “enriching” activities. Play is when children invent, create, and daydream.

Help them develop their talents

Happy people are often those who have mastered a skill! Have you heard that before? For example, when your baby figures out how to get the spoon into his mouth or takes those first shaky steps by himself, he learns from his mistakes, he learns persistence and discipline, and then he experiences the joy of succeeding due to his own efforts.

He also reaps the reward of gaining recognition from others for his accomplishment. Most important, he discovers he has some control over his life: If he tries to do something, he can eventually do it. Research shows that this feeling of control through mastery is an important factor in determining adult happiness.

Healthy bodies, happy children

Lots of sleep, exercise, and a healthy diet are important to everyone’s well-being, especially children’s. Giving your baby plenty of space to release her energy, will help put her in a good mood.
You might also want to pay attention to any connection between your baby’s mood and particular foods; some parents find that while sugar can give their child an energy boost, it can also lead to fussiness. Food allergies and sensitivities may also play a role in your child’s behavior and mood. If you’re nursing, you may find that your baby becomes fussy after you eat certain foods.

Let them struggle with problems

In the first six months of a baby’s life, it’s important for parents to respond to their infant’s needs. “You can’t spoil a baby,” says Masia-Warner. But after about six months, if you run over at every little hiccup, you’re taking away an important learning opportunity. Masia-Warner says it’s good to let babies cry a little as long as you’re giving them lots of positive affection and attention the rest of the time.

Parents always try to make it better and make their children happy all the time. That is not realistic. Children need to learn to tolerate some distress. Let them struggle, figure out things on their own, because it allows them to learn how to cope.
In your baby’s first year, he’s learning so many things: to sit up, crawl, grasp objects, walk, and talk. Each accomplishment brings him confidence and satisfaction in his achievement. So don’t hurry to pick up the rattle he just dropped or the teddy bear he’s struggling to reach. Allowing children a range of experiences, even the difficult or frustrating ones, helps build the reservoir of inner strength that leads to happiness.

Allow them to be sad or mad

Experts say,  you shouldn’t overreact to your child’s negative feelings. “It’s normal for kids to become oversensitive or clingy or nervous at times – this is not unhappiness.”

You’ll find this is especially important as your child grows. When your child pouts in a corner during a birthday party, your natural reaction may be to push her to join in the fun. But it’s important to allow her to be unhappy. Children need to know that it’s okay to be unhappy sometimes — it’s simply part of life. And if we try to squelch any unhappiness, we may be sending the message that it’s wrong to feel sad.

Be a role model

According to Dora Wang, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and mother of 3-year-old Zoe, research shows that you can pass on your temperament to your children through your own behavior. Children pick up on their parents’ moods. In simple words, when you smile, your baby smiles and his brain becomes “wired” for smiling. Similarly, if you have a colicky baby who cries for hours, the best thing you can do is to stay calm, because babies pick up on their caregivers’ stress.

Teach them to do meaningful things

Research shows that people who have meaning in their lives feel less depressed. As your baby matures, she can be taught that helping others is satisfying. Even as early as 10 months, you can teach your child the satisfaction of give and take. If you give her a bite of banana, let her do the same by feeding you a piece. Show her how happy her gesture of generosity made you feel. If you brush her hair, give her a chance to brush yours. These small moments can nourish a sensibility toward sharing and caring for others. As your baby grows into a toddler, simple household chores, such as putting her dirty clothes in the hamper or setting the table, can help a young child feel that she’s making a contribution.

Source: Jill Storey, babycenter.com

What prompt this idea is Naji himself who started the habit of READ MORE >>]]> The Naji Cherfan Foundation has been producing its bi-monthly electronic newsletter People Are Born To Shine, since the early launching of the Foundation. This newsletter focuses on health and spirituality. The primary aim is to inspire people to live a healthier, more abundant life by sharing educational tips and awareness on a variety of health and spiritual subjects.

What prompt this idea is Naji himself who started the habit of sharing good news with his friends; each time he came across an article with health benefits, he would send it to his entire network of friends. Not only sends it, but also he follows up on it by calling and making sure it is being read. One of our faithful readers from Greece, Marina Georgopoulos,  says: “Naji’s newsletter is great! I love the articles and find the practical advice you give in many of them (carbonated water, teaching children how to pray) very useful”; another faithful reader from Lebanon, Christine Dersarkissian, says: “hats down for all NCF members; People Are Born To Shine is amazing! The content is so rich and drives us to reflect deeper on the various issues presented”.

Another faithful reader from Lebanon, Eliane Bonard, says: “congratulations! A newsletter,  full with various interesting and diversified subjects and up to date information. It is so weird, but I feel part of this Foundation and this newsletter especially because all its messages are simple and deep!”.

People Are Born To Shine has treated many health and spiritual subjects that fall into various categories. In the physical and emotional health sections, the NCF highlighted the Importance of Water, the Use of Antibiotics, the Vitamin D benefits…etc. also, Ways to a joyous life, Simple ways to pray, How to handle a rumor…etc. Elisabeth Wilson is one of our faithful readers, in her last message to us she says: “Another excellent issue! Very moving! Nice work”.

The family and parenting section, which is attracting many of our readers, is treating subjects such as Bad food for babies, Children morning and bedtime prayers, Teaching tolerance to children, and How to raise a happy child. Diala Ghostine Khoueiry from Lebanon, mother of two boys, is very fond of this section and she says: “I really enjoy reading the NAJI CHERFAN FOUNDATION newsletter. It is full of interesting and useful subjects! Good Job!”

The Act of Kindness Section is one of the most liked because we always look for the best humanitarian stories to inspire you! This section is about love, and giving, and taking care of the less fortunate with innovative ways and amazing projects. We have written about the Mary’s Meal project that is taking care of school students in developing countries, also about human trafficking prevention and the efforts in Nepal to protect young girls. We also have written about women donating their breast milk to children whose mothers died from HIV/AIDS.

Naji also wanted to spread the art of commitment and determination to all people around him. This is one thing People Are Born To Shine is keen at. Naji struggled for almost 11 years after his accident and because of his willingness to fight he became better and healthier. His physician, Dr. Arne Voss from Germany says: “It is always a pleasure to read People Are Born To Shine! I treated Naji while in Germany and I was always amazed by the power of commitment and determination he has! I use his example with all my patients to inspire them to face their challenges with the same courage Naji did!”. Stephanos Velissaropoulos from Greece says: “I follow the newsletters closely and am continuously impressed, humbled and struck by the work the foundation is doing and the newsletter it puts out”.

For more comments about the newsletter and for all past issues please visit our website and the Visitor’s Section in our Homepage. You can also enjoy the free subscription and will be able to download the prayers and Naji’s books free of charge www.najicherfanfoundation.org. We would be pleased to hear back from you!

The NCF Team.

With an initiative from Mrs. Patricia Cherfan, and in collaboration with The Naji Cherfan Foundation, family and friends have gathered this year to celebrate Christmas with the less fortunate, but this time with a special twist! Three generations, children, mothers, and grandmothers formed a choir and were trained for two months by the Choirmaster and Composer Reverend Father Khalil Rahme and performed live on stage READ MORE >>]]> …Sharing the joy of Christmas with the less fortunate.

With an initiative from Mrs. Patricia Cherfan, and in collaboration with The Naji Cherfan Foundation, family and friends have gathered this year to celebrate Christmas with the less fortunate, but this time with a special twist! Three generations, children, mothers, and grandmothers formed a choir and were trained for two months by the Choirmaster and Composer Reverend Father Khalil Rahme and performed live on stage of the Jesus And Mary School on Dec 17, 2010.

The audience comprised 300 spectators, among them more than 130 child under 12 years old, who were the honored guests of the ceremony and who came from vulnerable groups and less fortunate families (la Colonie du Groupement Social Scout Jounieh, Mission de vie, and Christian Charity Association Hadath). Children celebrated Christmas and enjoyed Christmas prayers and more than 220 child received presents, candies, chocolate and food from Santa Clause! 

“What brought us together is not our beautiful voice” says Mrs. Patricia Cherfan, “What brought us together is the true spirit of Christmas”!

The sparkle of the event was the astonishing dance performance by the students of Father Roberts Institution for the Young Deaf who presented three of their most amazing dances in spite of their hearing impairment.

“When we extend a helping hand to the less fortunate, we adopt the true spirit of Christmas and we become much stronger human beings. What a beautiful was to celebrate Christmas!” Said Dr. Mary Choucair Traboulsi, as she thanked all who coordinated the event, especially the grandmothers and children who participated in the choir.

 This event was dedicated with love, to the soul of Naji Cherfan;

Please check the 5-minute video of the event following this link: Christmas Caroling For A Cause!

For the second consecutive year, volunteers of the NCF toured hospitals on Dec 25th on a mission to celebrate Christmas with those unable to celebrate the birth of Jesus in the comfort of their homes.  The Choir of St. Elie Church Antelias led by Brother Ziad Khalil along with volunteers from “La Chorale Des Jeunes” choir have led the group of family and friends READ MORE >>]]> …Sharing the Joy of Christmas with Patients and Hospital Personnel

For the second consecutive year, volunteers of the NCF toured hospitals on Dec 25^th on a mission to celebrate Christmas with those unable to celebrate the birth of Jesus in the comfort of their homes.  The Choir of St. Elie Church Antelias led by Brother Ziad Khalil along with volunteers from “La Chorale Des Jeunes” choir have led the group of family and friends on this mission to share the joy of the birth of Jesus.

Three hospitals were visited in Maten district namely Abou Jaoudei, Arz, and Middle East Hospital. Father Joseph Abdel Sater joined the group and sang Christmas songs while praying for each patient. “What was so special about these visits was the ones we did in the pediatric and nursery departments, praying for the newborns and dancing with the sick children deeply touched my heart” said George Daher, NCF volunteer. 

Prayers along with sweets and chocolate were distributed to everyone and patients and families, nurses and physicians celebrated Christmas with joy and laughter. Brother Khalil said he felt the true spirit of Christmas while touting the hospitals, “I felt like Jesus was born!” he said.

The Naji Cherfan Foundation would like to take this opportunity to extend a special thank you to our dedicated volunteers, who are among the first to support the NCF Christmas Mission, and whose contribution and dedication to the NCF activities has been exemplary! Thank you Marleine Nassrany, Zeina Costantine, Joyce Abou Jaoudei, George and Jad Daher, Diala and Michel Nassrany, and Sylvana and Marc Karam!

The NCF has teamed up with the Christian Charity Association Hadath to organize a Christmas event on Dec 27 for more than 300 children of needy families. “Christmas wouldn’t have passed their homes if they hadn’t celebrated with us this year” said Mrs. Malvina Tarraf, president of the charity.

 The event was animated by a talented team led by Giselle Hachem Zared, Odeon READ MORE >>]]>  …Sharing Christmas with the poorest of the poor

The NCF has teamed up with the Christian Charity Association Hadath to organize a Christmas event on Dec 27 for more than 300 children of needy families. “Christmas wouldn’t have passed their homes if they hadn’t celebrated with us this year” said Mrs. Malvina Tarraf, president of the charity.

 The event was animated by a talented team led by Giselle Hachem Zared, Odeon Theater, who was a main contributor to the artistic side of the theater performing the beautiful play called White Ball, and also gave a very special discount for the event!

This event was also made possible due to the generous contribution of Mr. Fadi Khalife, a member of honor at the Christian Charity Association’s board, and who has contributed the expenses of the gifts, theater, media, audiovisual material and much more!

Santa clause also joined the crowed and distributed toys and sweets to all children!