Amman, February 19 (Jordan News Agency- Petra) - Hiba Al-Issis - Rana AlZoubi, the National Director of SOS Children's Villages Jordan, said: "In 2023, many vital and developmental projects were launched, contributing to enhancing the services provided to children and youth with no parental care or are at risk of losing it, as well as to families at risk of disintegration, and the community as a whole."
In an interview with the Jordan News Agency (Petra), she emphasized that the Association played a significant role in providing a safe environment for children and youth and developing the local community by implementing projects and initiatives focused on raising awareness about children's rights and the importance of taking necessary measures to ensure the best interests of children with no parental care or are at risk of losing it, providing a safe family environment, and addressing the underlying causes of family breakdown.
She noted that the Family Strenghtening programme, launched last year, aims to improve the conditions of families in East Amman area to empower them to care for their children and not abandon them. The project was launched at "East Amman Charitable Society" in cooperation with "Marka Development District", the National Aid Fund, and partners from Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). During the first 5 months of the project, 16 families comprising a total of 88 individuals were reached, and these families began receiving services such as food aid, psychological, legal, medical, educational, and financial assistance, in addition to economic empowerment.
Furthermore, 9 children under the care of the association from Amman Children's Village were successfully reintegrated into their biological families, and these families received a range of services through the programme. This programme aims to provide support to 130 families at risk of disintegration over three years through partnerships signed with five local organizations from various locations in East Amman, namely: Awael Al-Khair, East Amman, Nasaem Al-Amal, Nawafed Al-Ataa Charitable Society, and Al-Yateem Al-Mubdi.
AlZoubi explained that the Association continued its support for women survivors of domestic violence with their children through the Safe Homes project, which was launched by the Association at the beginning of 2022 to provide a safe environment for abused women and their children, contribute to building their capacities through various training programs to support their livelihoods, in addition to providing psychological, legal, and social support services. Last year, the Association accommodated 16 women and 50 children in the Safe Homes in its villages in Amman and Irbid.
She also mentioned "Al-Wifaq" shelter established in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development to provide family services to survivors of violence from various southern governorates, and the reintegration of 82 out of 87 women who benefited from the shelter's services back into their families after recovery and the implementation of safety plans. The shelter also collaborated with the local community and implemented several courses to empower participants and achieve self-sufficiency, assisting them by providing employment opportunities through empowerment and training programs.
The Association's ongoing support for women from the local community, workers in partner organizations, caregivers, mothers, and beneficiaries of the Safe Homes and Al-Wifaq was highlighted. It implemented 4 training programs benefiting 38 women and 6 workshops benefiting 183 women. These training programs and workshops covered several topics such as positive parenting, alternative punishment training, domestic violence, gender-based violence, and adolescent changes for boys and girls, in addition to 7 emotional discharge sessions for alternative mothers and caregivers in Amman and Aqaba.
She added that economic empowerment programs for women were held in Irbid and Aqaba to improve their living conditions and keep their children with them. The Association's efforts extended to support members of the local community, including the implementation of the Field School project in Irbid in cooperation with Ramtha Agricultural Research Center. Fifteen community participants were trained this year on aromatic plant cultivation and vegetable farming, and they were assisted in applying for grants for production projects.
As part of community integration efforts, she stated that the Association opened its doors to welcome the local community, families, and children during the three open days held in its villages in Amman, Irbid, and Aqaba for the second consecutive year under the theme "World of Joy," and inaugurated bazaars with the participation of several young women and women from the local community to support them by showcasing and marketing their products.
In terms of protection and advocacy efforts, she mentioned the establishment of a Children's Parliament consisting of representatives from children in the three villages in Amman, Irbid, and Aqaba, which included activities and events, including sessions with children aimed at their social and emotional development and increasing their resilience.
Moreover, she highlighted that the Association was appointed a member of the Shadow Report Committee on the Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in Jordan (Jordanian Coalition) to support the Convention on the Rights of the Child in collaboration with several partners.
AlZoubi also highlighted the efforts made by the Youth Advocacy Team in cooperation with relevant authorities to improve and facilitate the procedures for proof of lineage, noting that a National Proof of Lineage Committee was formed by decision of the Ministry of Social Development. Ten proof of lineage cases of children and young people under the Association's care were raised, and lineage was successfully proven for 3 children and youth in Amman and one child in Irbid.
Regarding healthcare support, she affirmed that the Health Center was inaugurated in Amman Children's Village as a comprehensive medical center aimed at improving medical services provided by the Association to children and youth under its care, with a focus on providing psychological support for children, youth, alternative mothers, and caregivers, believing in the importance of mental health care and providing opportunities for children and youth to join sports and artistic clubs to maintain their mental and physical health.
In the field of youth support, she said that the Association continued to implement the Youth Empowerment Program for the age group of 14-18 years by involving them in several initiatives and projects. The most significant of these was their participation in the youth camp, which was launched for the second consecutive year, targeting environmental aspects to enhance citizenship spirit and environmental awareness.
She continued that the first Job Fair was held in Aqaba, resulting in the provision of more than 100 training and employment opportunities for youth, with the participation of 31 partner organizations and 300 young men and women seeking employment. Additionally, 30 counseling and guidance opportunities were provided through the "YouthCan" programme, along with 70 training and employment opportunities through the Care Leavers Coalition Programme. Moreover, extracurricular activities for youth were implemented, along with the creation of environmental and community initiatives.
AlZoubi emphasized the importance of cooperation with SOS Children's Villages Palestine and unifying efforts to direct donors to donate to SOS Children's Village Palestine. This comes alongside the dissemination of publications to raise awareness about the Palestinian cause and the current situation in the Gaza Strip, as well as the implementation of numerous events calling for a cessation of hostilities and advocating for our brothers and sisters in Palestine.
She pointed out that SOS Children's Villages Jordan will continue its development and updating efforts this year by establishing a creativity laboratory in Amman Children's Village to provide training courses for village children and the local community, and launching the Global Scholarship Programme in Jordan for young people benefiting from SOS Children's Villages in the Arab world under the supervision of the Association.
-(Petra)