IAA Jordan and Zikra Initiative launch a Ramadan giving campaign

This month-long campaign, which is in partnership with Esense and Jo Bedu, aims at raising funds for a micro-loan that will be given to families residing in Ghor Al Mazra'a and collecting donations to be distributed to the less fortunate communities across Amman.

The campaign includes two parts; the first is Zikrayat; in which IAA and Zikra Initiative will be raising funds that will be directed towards the benefit of Ghor Al Mazra's local children and their families in the form of micro loans. Funds will be collected through the ticket sales for 2 Iftar events at Ghor Al Mazra'a and through a generous contribution from Esense. The second event is a Collection Drive, in which IAA will be collecting donations of canned goods, household supplies and clothes to be distributed later this month to unprivileged families in Amman.

IAA Executive Manager Mrs. Hania Juma said: 'The reason behind partnering with Zikra stems from the different and remarkable message this initiative carries. It re-defines the traditional concept of donations and volunteer servicing through the 'exchange' concept that establishes a relationship between the donors and those receiving the donations to spread empathy, understanding and pro-activity'. She added 'This initiative is an original one, that we - as an organization that encourages creativity - felt the urge to join hands with'.

This first of its kind campaign, kicked off its first 'Zikrayat' event last Friday, with more than 15 participants who visited Ghor Al Mazra'a and enjoyed an Iftar with its residents and participated in a number of workshops teaching them how to bake bread, weave the tassels on a Hatta, and make other handicrafts. The evening ended with everyone participating in fun games and watching a collection of short films produced with the support of talents from Ghor Al Mazra'a and the Amman Filmmakers Cooperative. The second Zikrayat event is scheduled to take place on the 26th September.

'By joining hands with major companies such as IAA Jordan and Essence in this event we at Zikra Initiative have taken our interaction with the local community a step forward as we have been working with them for a while now and we have established strong bonds of mutual respect and appreciation,'

said Mr. Rabee Zureikat, founder of Zikra Initiative.

He also added: 'Zikra has created innovative techniques to incorporate both the business and civic communities in our activities by introducing alternative CSR and/or team building opportunities that companies can benefit from. These activities include hiking trips in the exquisite Sail Weda'a, Seasonal Bandora Day; where participants can share the experience of tomato picking and learn delicious recipes using tomatoes, in addition to our 'Development through Art' project in which volunteers participate in painting the local houses'.

On the other hand, the Collection Drive is still underway and donations can be brought to the IAA Jordan offices - located in Abdoun - during the month of September, Sunday through Thursday from 9:00am - 2:00 pm. Donations will be rewarded with caps and t-shirts from Jo Bedu.

'Ramadan is a month of giving and sharing and we are delighted to launch such initiative that grants our members and others the opportunity to give back to the community in the spirit of this Holy month. This campaign would not have seen the light if it were not for our partners,'

concluded Juma.