
BDS History
The BDS was first founded at Shawky Makarem’s house in Walton-On–Thames, England on the 3rd of August 1983 during the terrible Lebanese civil war which lasted over 15 years. The founding members were Noura Alameddine Abi- chahine , Dr Shibli Abi-chahine, Eyad Abu-Chakra, Sleiman Bu Hamzi, Nadim Al Halabi, Ghassan Arbid, Muhammad Sultan and Shawky Anis Makarem.
The first ever donation made to the BDS was by the two daughters of one of the founders Shawky Makarem and they were Shereen and Lamene Mkarem who donated their pocket money savings.
The charities that the BDS has contributed to in the past are:
- The Druze Orphanage (Aabey)
- Druze Foundation for Social Welfare (DFSW)
- Druze Welfare Association
- Makarem Foundation
- Princess Diana Memorial Fund (1997)
- St. Jude’s Children’s’ Cancer Center of Lebanon Foundation (2013)
- Lebanese Red Cross
- NHS (National Health Service)
Our first members
Founders of BDS

Mouhamad Al Sultan
Held the first position as Chairman

Eyad abou shakra
Hold the position of the General Secretary of the BDS between 1993-1996

Dr Shibleh Abou Shahin
One of the BDS founders in the early 1980s

Slayman Abou Hamzeh
BDS Member

Ghassan Arbid
Treasurer

Shawki Makarem
Relief Officer

Nadim Al Halabi
President
