Al-Aman Fund cooperates with Ministry of Social Development to epower adolescent orphaned girls

This progressive initiative is designed to address the lack of female-specific life skills and knowledge among adolescent orphaned girls in care centers between the ages of 13 and 17.

As stated in the agreement signed by Al-Aman Fund and the Ministry of Social Development, the latter is to provide the Fund with a sum of JD 25,000 to be utilized in implementing a pilot program, the aim of which is to empower these young girls with the necessary skills and encouragement to face challenges, build self-esteem and achieve confident and responsible adulthood.

The program will tackle a range of issues, including health and safety, study skills, emotional intelligence, building relationships, etiquette, and household skills.

Executive Director of Al-Aman Fund, Ms. Maha Saqqa, said," We initiated this project as part of our objective to serve the orphaned youth of Jordan, and we feel that this must start with the delicate adolescent age group in order to better prepare them for the real world."

Ms. Saqqa added, "During their adolescent years, these young orphaned girls are faced with rapid psychological growth and physical development that trigger internal conflict and confusion. At this vulnerable stage in their lives, guidance and coaching are imperative, especially since they were deprived of a biological mother who would naturally pass on the necessary knowledge and skills under normal circumstances."

Al-Aman Fund has identified a group of volunteers from different specializations that will contribute to this program, by helping with the training of the targeted girls during the course of the project.

The Fund has also signed a subcontract with the Hashemite University to deliver training workshops for building the capacity of staff at care centers in areas relevant to the program.

Ms Saqqa further stated, "We feel that by launching such a project we are moving one step closer to realizing the vision of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah to provide orphaned youth with a better tomorrow."

The program will be effective as of June 2008, and at its initial stage it will target 150 orphans from 10 care centers across the Kingdom.

Upon completion of this program and based on the achieved impact, the Fund aspires to extend the program in 2009, to reach out to all orphans of all ages living at care centers to empower them with a variety of skills, including skills for improving academic achievement.

It is important to note that Al-Aman Fund for the Future of Orphans is an independent non-governmental organization founded in 2006 by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah.

It equips orphaned youth, who graduated from orphan care centers at the age of 18, with the education and skills necessary for them to become successful, self-reliant, and productive members of society.

This is done by operating five Support Schemes; educational scholarships, coverage of living expenses, counseling, apprenticeship & employment, and medical insurance.