About One Life

A story that began
with people,
and returned to them.

One Life began with a simple intention: to come closer, listen more carefully, and understand need as it really is.

The beginning

How did the story begin?

Giving had been part of the family's life for years, and help usually reached people through other parties. As the need in Lebanon grew wider, Hoda Hajjar felt the distance between people and assistance had to become shorter.

She wanted to reach people directly, to listen to them, to understand their needs as they truly were, and to see the effect of every step on the ground.

This is where One Life began.

Not a slogan. Not a campaign. But direct human action, rooted in listening and responsibility.

A close, listening moment between a volunteer and a young person

The founder

Hoda Hajjar

Founder & President

For Hoda Hajjar, the idea was never to make help bigger — it was to make it closer, and more understanding of the person receiving it.

Personal experiences with a reality where injustice and corruption leave their direct mark on people's lives and dignity led her to turn giving from help delivered through others into direct humanitarian action.

This is where the idea of One Life began: to see the person first, before seeing the case.

Real help begins when we see the person, and understand what they truly need.

The One Life team on a family field visit

Identity

Who we are

One Life is a private humanitarian and social foundation, family-rooted, independent and self-funded. We work close to people and to their reality, and actual need shapes our priorities.

The work began with supporting families, then grew to include housing, hospitalization, elderly care, education, productive projects and community initiatives.

We do not see assistance as an isolated step. Whenever we can, we ask: what can remain after it?

Mission

We listen before we decide.

We seek to understand the need before intervening, and to make every contribution responsible, while preserving the person's dignity.

Whenever possible, we look for what can turn assistance into learning, work, greater independence, or an opportunity for the future.

A careful review of aid contents before distribution

What will remain after this step is over?

Two volunteers loading support supplies into a car

From support to possibility

We don't only ask: what does someone need today?
But also: what might help them tomorrow?

This is why education, skill-building, and supporting ideas and trades that can become productive opportunities have become an important part of One Life's direction.

Our goal is not for people to depend on us — but whenever we can, to help them access what enables them to depend more on themselves.

Our Values

A warm human embrace
  1. 01Dignity
  2. 02Credibility
  3. 03Humanity
  4. 04Responsibility
  5. 05Trust
  6. 06Continuity

Our Vision

A society where every person lives with dignity, in a warm home, within a fair environment, where education is a right, energy is available, and opportunities do not discriminate between people.

We aspire to a future where every family has a stable foundation to build on, every child has an opportunity, and every elderly person has comfort and care.

A child playing joyfully

Your next step

A story can begin with one step.

If you have a need to share, or time and skills you would like to contribute, choose the path that fits you.