SANA's first needs-assessment trip was to Knaisse, Akkar. The road took us seaside then to the inner valley. Glistening snow covered mountains loomed in the distance. Dual road. Tent houses with rooftops 'tiled' by tires.  Vast farm land with grazing cows and engrossed farmers. Salt mills. Cows tied right alongside the homes. And we reach our destination!

Warm greeting by the village's "Mukhtar" which is the Arabic for the 'chosen one', chosen by his fellow villagers to represent them. He is there with 3 of the male elders, 8 young males, an elder elder mother and towards the end of our meeting, a young wife and daughter appear on the scene. Refreshments are served by a young male in the backyard.
"We are 700 inhabitants with almost 50 deliveries a year. As of 2 years ago and 4 maternal deaths, all of our mothers now deliver at a regional governmental hospital. There is no health dispensary in the village. Only 3% get routine prenatal care given that their husbands are employed with health coverage or are in the military".

There is such eagerness for anything we can offer: prenatal care, basic screening and guidance, supplying prenatal vitamins, to name a few... As a result, SANA is assessing how we may be able to assist by providing prenatal care with set visits to the village in order to try and supply some of the basic needs... In addition, the possibility of setting up a permanent health dispensary for several of the neighboring villages is being looked into...