.jpg "A Preliminary Consultative Meeting at SOS Children’s Villages Jordan opens the door to educational partnerships that support learning, nurture talent, and amplify youth advocacy.")
A Preliminary Consultative Meeting at SOS Children’s Villages Jordan opens the door to educational partnerships that support learning, nurture talent, and amplify youth advocacy.
Amman, Jordan – July 24, 2025
Last Tuesday marked the first gathering of leading national and educational figures, brought together under one roof at SOS Children’s Village Amman. The consultative meeting aimed to unify efforts and expertise in the education field to better support children and youth, nurture their talents, and constructively address the challenges they face. Discussions focused on discovering hidden talents, compensating for learning loss, and providing support for children experiencing psychological or life-related difficulties.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Mahmoud AlMassad, Member of the Board of SOS Children’s Villages Jordan and former Director of the National Center for Curriculum Development; Dr. Thoqan Obeidat, The Educational Expert; Dr. Atef Kanaan, President of the Arab Council for the Gifted and Talented; Dr. Mustafa Hailat, Vice President of the Council; Dr. Mustafa Abu Al-Sheikh; and Dr. Rima Al-Bakheet, members of the council. Also in attendance were Mr. Munther Al-Sourani, Head of the Private Schools Association, and Mr. Ahmad Noufal, representative of the Jordanian Cultural Dialogue Forum. From the Association, the meeting was joined by Eng. Mustafa AlWishah, Chair of the Board of SOS Children’s Villages Jordan; Mrs. Rana AlZoubi, National Director of SOS Jordan and Chair of the General Assembly of SOS Children’s Villages International; Mrs. Hadil Al-Faqih, Director of SOS Amman Children’s Village; Mrs. Kafa AlMasandeh, Director of Programs; and Mrs. Areej Al-Khatib, Director of Fund Development and Communications, along with a number of key staff members.
The meeting opened with remarks from Dr. Mahmoud AlMassad, Member of the Board of SOS Children’s Villages Jordanو who began his speech with the words: “A loving home for every child,” affirming that the core mission of SOS Children’s Villages is to create a warm, nurturing educational and emotional environment where children feel a deep sense of belonging, develop confidence, and are empowered to thrive in balanced educational and psychological pathways.
In his address, Eng. Mustafa AlWishah, Chair of the Board of SOS Children’s Villages Jordan, expressed his deep appreciation for the attendees, emphasizing that partnership with national educational experts is vital to the success of the Association’s mission, especially in the educational field. He also expressed pride in the Association’s accomplishments over the years and reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to ensuring that every child not only has access to education, but to quality education that enhances their future success.
AlWishah added that this meeting marks the beginning of a broader participatory effort with national expertise, aiming to empower children both academically and personally, within a dignified environment that recognizes and respects their potential.
Mrs. Rana AlZoubi, National Director of SOS Jordan and Chair of the General Assembly of SOS Children’s Villages International, delivered an in-depth presentation on SOS’s integrated care model in Jordan, highlighting that although the Association is part of a global network in 137 countries, SOS Jordan is a fully Jordanian entity operating under the umbrella of the Ministry of Social Development. She clarified that the Association runs three villages in Amman, Irbid, and Aqaba, serving a wide range of children and families through scientifically grounded and rights-based interventions.
She added that the Association’s work extends beyond child care to include the protection and empowerment of women, youth, and families, as well as community integration, education, mental health, advocacy, and economic empowerment programs.
In a specialized presentation, Mrs. Hadil Al-Faqih, Director of SOS Amman Children’s Village, addressed the key educational challenges within the villages. She noted that the Association uses early cognitive evaluations and educational diagnostics to design individual learning plans for each child, based on their academic level, with regular academic and psychological follow-up. She also emphasized methods to enhance the psychological resilience of children affected by trauma, such as art therapy, and spotlighted the importance of parallel education to support and develop emerging talents.
The meeting also featured an open roundtable discussion moderated by Dr. Al-Massad, during which participants shared valuable input on collaborative solutions. The dialogue highlighted the need to launch a specialized talent and giftedness support program, provide focused training based on identified educational needs, enhance relationships with private and hosting schools, offer academic scholarships, and build a network of national educators ready to provide rapid and responsive support.
In this context, Mr. Munther Al-Sourani, Head of the Private Schools Association,, stated:
“I was honored and privileged to attend this meeting alongside a distinguished group of educational leaders. I have followed the work of the association for many years and witnessed how it has successfully strengthened the role of children who have lost parental care—offering them quality education, comprehensive care, and dedicated support across housing, services, and follow-up.”
He also noted that his educational institution has already begun cooperating with the association, with 12 students from SOS Children’s Villages being admitted to his private schools, affirming the commitment of the Private Schools Association and educational institutions to continue expanding this kind of partnership.
The meeting concluded with a tour of the SOS Children’s Village in Amman, where attendees gained firsthand insight into the daily lives of the children and the comprehensive services provided by the village team.
Key outcomes of the meeting included:
• The Characteristics of a Child in the Care of SOS Children’s Villages Jordan, and the Expected Traits Across the Following Areas: Personal, Cognitive, Psychological, Social, Values-Based, and Digital, Enabling Them to Carry the Aspirations of the Nation.
• A proposal to establish a comprehensive support program for gifted and high-achieving children in the care of SOS Children’s villages Jordan.
• Organizing specialized educational trainings led by expert practitioners.
• Strengthening relationships with schools to ensure safe and inclusive educational environments.
• Providing scholarships and educational support to eligible children.
• Forming an external support network of national educators to offer academic and psychosocial assistance to children.
• Expanding youth advocacy and supporting environmental and youth-led initiatives.
This meeting marks a significant step toward building strategic, educational, and humanitarian partnerships that enhance educational quality and empower children to move toward a future full of growth and opportunities.