Kassem Hejeij: The Inspiring Businessman and Lover of Amili Heritage
Kassem Hejeij
A Man of Business, Social Impact, and Cultural Legacy
Kassem Hejeij is a unique example of a businessman who never forgot his roots. He successfully merged achievements in the world of finance and business with social and cultural work to serve his community. From a childhood filled with challenges to remarkable accomplishments in his professional and personal life, Kassem Hejeij stands as an extraordinary figure who has left a lasting impact on his region and beyond.
Early Life and Challenges
Kassem Hejeij was born in Lagos, Nigeria, but his roots run deep in the soil of Deir Antar, a southern Lebanese town where he spent his childhood and adolescence among its alleys and fields. His father was a grain trader, crossing borders between Lebanon and Palestine before history took a new turn in 1947.
Growing up in a household that valued trade and perseverance, Kassem built a business empire that expanded across Africa, creating thousands of job opportunities. When the time came, he passed the torch of management to his family members and turned his focus to intellectual pursuits, leaving behind a legacy that was not just about businesses but also open doors for livelihood and a dignified life for thousands of young people saved from the specter of unemployment.
He was raised in a humble family where his father instilled strong moral values and the spirit of perseverance. As a child, he would walk from his village to the town of Joya to attend school. The long journey between the two places took a significant amount of time, whether in the harsh cold of winter or under the blazing summer sun.
During those exhausting daily walks, young Kassem allowed his dreams to soar. He envisioned a day when he would build a school and a hospital in his village to make life easier for the people of his region. When he grew up and succeeded in the business world, he turned those dreams into reality, establishing a modern school and hospital in Deir Antar—testaments to his belief in the importance of education and healthcare in achieving development.
Early Ambitions and Professional Success
As a young man, he had little money in his pocket, but his ambitions knew no bounds. He always dreamed of employing the youth of his town and providing them with opportunities for work and success. After years of perseverance and hard work, he became one of the most prominent Lebanese businessmen in Africa.
Today, his companies across the African continent employ more than a thousand young men from southern Lebanon, some of whom have become independent entrepreneurs themselves. Kassem Hejeij was the first to give them a chance and hope for the future, making him a symbol of generosity and true partnership.
Infrastructure Dreams and Connecting Communities
Kassems ambitions were not limited to building service institutions; they extended to improving infrastructure in his hometown and its surroundings. He dreamed of constructing roads that would connect Deir Antar to neighboring towns, facilitating movement and making daily life easier for the residents. When he grew older, he worked to achieve this dream by funding road construction and development projects, contributing to the strengthening of connectivity between southern villages.
A Passion for Amili Heritage: From Business to Literature
Since childhood, Kassem Hejeij had a deep love for poetry, literature, and popular proverbs. He was influenced by the stories he heard from the elders, reflecting the rich history and heritage of Jabal Amel. After retiring from the business world, he dedicated himself to a grand cultural project: collecting and documenting Amili oral literature.
He embarked on an arduous journey to gather proverbs, folktales, and traditional poetry from the elderly in southern villages to preserve these cultural treasures amid modern transformations and the information revolution. The result was an extensive encyclopedic work that documents Amili heritage, serving as a reference for future generations and preserving the memory of a region rich in its culture and history.
A Legacy of Giving and Dedication
Kassem Hejeijs story is one of a man who never forgot his roots or his community, despite his global success. His vision went beyond accumulating wealth; he aimed for sustainable giving, from building service institutions to empowering youth and documenting heritage.
Conclusion
Kassem Hejeij is not just a businessman; he is an inspiring figure who embodies a deep love for his land and people. Through his initiatives and projects, he transformed the reality of his town and its surroundings, leaving behind a legacy that will remain in the memory of generations. He is a living example that greatness lies not only in material success but in using that success to serve the community and preserve cultural identity.
