Keep the Lights On Through October for a Loved One
We all know that in Lebanon we pay for electricity twice, once to EDL (Électricité du Liban) and once to the neighbourhood generator which takes care of the hours that the state cannot. The second bill has recently spiked, with reports of bills from around $300 up to $1,000 per household (https://nowlebanon.com/the-generator-bill-is-the-receipt). In August, the Energy Ministry's official generator rate per kilowatt-hour reached its highest level since April, almost 60% higher than in February (https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1546224/generator-rates-in-lebanon-at-highest-since-april.html).
I am fundraising for one of my best friends to help her make it through October. She has a job, but it pays $550 per month and $70-$80 a week goes on transport alone. That's more than half her income before any other expenses. What she has left is just enough for basic and frugal living, leaving no buffer when bills like these come.
Our generator electricity was disconnected last week because the generator owner wasn't willing to wait a few days to get paid. There were no lights, no fridge and no means to charge a phone. We were made to feel ashamed and humiliated for the generator owner's greed, something that is happening to so many families across this country. It was embarrassing and really traumatic and we cannot go through it again.
The biggest need is the generator bill. I have been told the next one will cost more than $400 and is due from October 1st for September's usage. At the start of September, 1,000 litres of diesel cost about $1,350. By the end of the month it had risen to about $1,540. I really need the funds for this month or the power will be disconnected once again.
On top of the generator bill, other expenses are also due, all at the same time:
Generator bill: over $400 (urgent)
EDL electricity: $160, covering two months
Rent for October: $310
Internet for September and October: $90
Total is over $960. I can cover around $360 myself, so we need to raise $600.
Every contribution goes directly to these bills, starting with the generator. Even $5 or $10 brings us closer to keeping the power on. If you can't give, sharing this page helps more than you might think. I have already paid almost $1,000 in one go to cover September's rent and to repay the money we borrowed to get the generator electricity back on. I hate that I am asking this, but I have no other choice, we can't turn to anyone around us. Thank you for understanding, sharing our campaign, and standing with us. I truly appreciate it.
