The foundation’s mission is to promote, in partnership with stakeholders, the development of a dynamic Jordanian society by initiating and supporting sustainable social, economic and cultural programs that empower communities and individuals based on their needs and priorities.
JRF has two main areas of focus, which are to empower individuals and communities through the Community Empowerment Program, and to protect the rights and needs of children through the Jordan River Children Program.
Community Empowerment Program
JRF’s Community Empowerment Program (CEP) exemplifies the foundation’s commitment to sustainable human development. Through its various projects, CEP aims to empower communities to create economic opportunities and improve the quality of their lives. These projects strive to improve the infrastructure of local communities in various sectors including agriculture, education, health and economic capacities. Numerous projects have already been undertaken such as rain water harvesting, a cold storage facility, green houses, honey production, livestock breading, handicraft projects, and other projects that help to improve quality of life.
Income-generating handicraft projects
Participation, innovation and sustainability are the underlying themes in JRF’s many incomegenerating handicraft projects. Direct beneficiaries and other members of the communities where these projects are located receive capacity building and training sessions on topics such as project management, accounting and bookkeeping, feasibility studies and marketing techniques. This ensures the sustainability of these activities once they have been handed over to be managed and operated by the community.
The Bani Hamida Women’s Weaving Project revived traditional weaving techniques and today women in 13 villages help keep their traditions alive while contributing significantly to the quality of life of their families. Wooden spindles and floor looms are used to produce superior quality pure wool rugs that travel the world with a “Handmade with pride by Bedouin Jordanian women” label. In addition, JRF has begun a candle-making project in the same are to create new job opportunities and economic activities while building on the knowledge and skills of the women in the local community.
The Jordan River Designs Project employs 27 women in spacious workshops and has contracts with another 600 women who embroider traditional and contemporary home furnishings, gift items and fashion accessories.
The Al Karma Centre houses projects selected by the local community, which includes a children’s nursery, a community kitchen and an information technology and training institute.
Nearly 100 women are part of the Wadi Al-Rayan Project, which helps them to improve their economic and social status while reviving the traditional skills of basket and mat weaving. Raw materials indigenous to the area, such as cattail reed and banana leaves are used to make the products, making it a financially feasible and environmentally friendly initiative. Products include baskets, mats, coasters, bags, and home accessories.
Jordan River Children Program Pioneering an Arab Child Safety Model
Protecting the rights and needs of children has always been at the heart of JRF’s vision to contribute to healthier, self-reliant and aspiring communities. With the vision and support of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah, JRF has successfully established itself as a pioneer in building an Arab child safety model. Since 1997, when the Jordan River Children Program (JRCP) was formed, JRF has intensified its efforts to strengthen the family unit by enhancing positive child-parent relationships and promoting positive family dynamics.
The mission of the JRCP is to respect and support families in their task of nurturing children, and it represents the broad umbrella for the Child Safety Program (CSP). CSP’s awareness, prevention and intervention services are unique in terms of their holistic and integrated approach to tackling child abuse.
When JRF first broached the issue of child abuse, and brought it out into the open, there were many challenges because of the sensitive nature of the subject. Today, through groundbreaking efforts, the foundation is proud of its achievements in combating abuse. This complex issue is being discussed openly and honestly by Jordanian citizens and decisionmakers.
Urgent forms of abuse are addressed through intervention services at Dar Al-Aman – JRF’s Child Safety Centre. Established in August 2000, a first in Jordan and the Arab world, the centre serves as a temporary shelter that offer psychological, medical, social, and educational services to victims of physical, emotional and sexual abuse and neglect.
Preventative activities include promoting improved child-rearing practices and addressing socio-economic factors, which often contribute to cases of abuse. The Queen Rania Family and Child Centre employs a range of methodologies to enhance positive family dynamics. These range from mothers learning childcare techniques to fathers gaining insights to alternative means of disciplining to youth being instructed in conflict resolution and basic life skills. The centre also conducts numerous courses in the area of child safety and protection for professionals working with children and families nationally and regionally.
CSP has achieved other milestones since its establishment; most notable is the government’s declaration of June 6th as the annual National Day for Child Safety. Other significant events included JRF engaging the public with the launch of the “Beit Sgheer” (Arabic for Little House) television program, and the Ajyaluna (Arabic for Our Generations) National Awareness Campaign on child abuse.
JRF initiatives in 2007
Safe Schools initiative
The Safe schools project is a national initiative that aims to turn schools into safe environments for learning and education by raising awareness of all forms of abuse in schools. It will by achieved by enhancing the awareness of teachers, parents, and children to child rights, and ensuring the use of non-violent and developmentally-appropriate teaching strategies and disciplinary measures.
The Youth Volunteers Summer Project (YVSP)
This is a pioneer endeavour whereby JRF worked with 110 volunteers in summer 2007 to promote and encourage the concept of volunteerism and enhance their leadership and problem solving abilities. The project exemplifies the magnitude of partnerships between civil society organizations, government and private sectors and its positive effects on society.
Qudorat Program
Through Qudorat II, which is funded by Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MoPIC), JRF aims to build the capacity of smaller community-based organizations to manage and implement projects as per local needs, be self-sufficient and serve as an engine of growth. It also aims to increase local community and society awareness of the importance of the civic sector as an engine for local development.
Poverty Pockets Program
This project aims to contribute to social and economic development by enhancing the role of the local community within poverty pocket areas. It aims to alleviate poverty by creating job opportunities, raising awareness, building capacities and enhancing the socio-economic situations in these areas.