JRF’s Child Safety Program

Sixteen-year-old Aya’s first book hasn’t been published yet, but she’s on the right track to making that happen. Her literary ambitions started at a very early age, but her composition skills weren’t sharp enough. Following a series of learning support sessions including one focused on writing skills, Aya honed her writing ability in record time.

Selling chewing gum on the streets of Amman took its toll on 12-year-old “J,” and the physical abuse he suffered from street bullies conjured up flashbacks of a warring Syria he had left behind. Skipping school more often to make a living meant that education was no longer a priority. Dodging the bullying also meant that he had to run recklessly, eventually leading him to be hit by a car. Following several assessment sessions at the Queen Rania Family and Child Center, “J” and his mother underwent a series of intervention activities. The child was later referred to 911’s Family Protection Unit. Today, “J” is off the streets and back in school, and is constantly showing signs of improved psychological wellbeing.

“I forged my way through a career in sportswear 23 years ago. The journey was nothing less than intimidating, but the establishment of a factory in 2000 pushed me to the forefront; gaining the trust and admiration of Jordan’s major private schools, including the King's Academy. Entrepreneurship is one of the most rewarding experiences in life.”

"I am proud to have participated in this project, it became a turning point in local community work, and it added so much to my personal and professional knowledge. I can now turn my ideas into reality, and I recognize my role in my community."

"This was a truly unique experience, we had to come up with a concept for an initiative, plan it, and implement it. Participating in this project made us feel responsible for our community."

"I was never able to conceive children of my own, and my husband has died. But now this child has come along and turned my life around."

"Zeid and I have been living as family for a year and a half. I try to organize my time between my job and my home to create suitable living conditions for him, to provide him with a decent life, and to ensure that he grows up in a healthy family environment. When I see Zeid I see the future. I will work hard to give him the best education so that he succeeds in his life.I can’t get enough of him calling me “mama” every single day, and I have grown so attached to him.Zeid truly helped me realize my full potential."

"The Better Parenting Project transformed my life as a mother, and it became an integral part of my daily life. Community members, both parents and children, in the northern regions of the Jordan Valley consider me their counsellor in case they need support dealing with their children. Both the parents and their children trust me, this has been the one true success in my life, and it pales in comparison with other projects I have done."

"I always thought that a father’s sole job is providing for his children, and his work ends once all their needs have been met. Through this workshop I discovered that I have a much bigger role in my children’s lives, and I insisted on changing myself. Their ambitions and emotions are my and their mother’s responsibility, and we have thankfully begun to make some changes. Now I hold my children and it is the most beautiful feeling on the planet."

"One of the most important things my children learnt was self-expression. It is in large part due to Beit Sgheer that my children broke the barrier between us, and they started sharing their concerns with me with ease transformative experience for me at the center, it changed our lives. It was a I strongly urge all mothers to send their children to Beit Sgheer, as it will help them build a model family and a child that is aware of both their right and duties towards society."

"The house of glass means constructive quality time to me!"

"We need to believe that nothing is impossible. Youth should tackle social problems through innovative and unconventional initiatives."