Rita is the co-founder of SOILS Permaculture Association Lebanon. A little under a decade ago, after a career in the cultural sector as a performer, project coordinator, and fundraising officer in Lebanon and Euro-Mediterranean countries, Rita embarked on a personal and professional transition journey to a lifestyle grounded in permaculture (permanent culture / agriculture), working closely with municipalities, organizations, and individuals to raise awareness of sustainability issues and promote best practices. She studied with the late Patrick Whitefield (UK), as well as with Daniel Halsey (US). In 2014, she partnered with like-minded friends to establish SOILS in her native village of Saidoun (Jezzine District), and has managed the organization ever since, promoting viable local solutions to global problems linked to development in rural areas, ecosystem conservation, and sustainable agriculture. She has organized the first internationally recognized Permaculture Design Course (PDC) in Lebanon over three consecutive years. In addition, she has led several projects across Lebanon aimed at empowering vulnerable communities, including refugees, through building capacities in sustainable agricultural practices. She has also facilitated numerous workshops and training in agro-ecology, waste sorting, beekeeping, and composting. In parallel, she has collaborated on different permaculture design projects in Lebanon, building a team of professionals with a proven track record. She is now managing all aspects of the AFIR Beekeeping and Nature Discovery Center, a comprehensive initiative involving sustainable agriculture, income generation, and eco-conservation.