• "

    Both skills and experience that I acquired from the center made me feel that I have a message to share with other women; my work as an educator is just a small token to show my gratitude.

    "
    Ghadeer, The QRFCC
  • "

    My dream is to start my own business one day soon.

    "
    Fatima Al Qudah - Ajloun Cold Storage Project
  • "

    I was shy and had few friends; today I am blessed with many friends within my community.

    "
    Abdulateef, Youth Volunteer Summer Project
  • "

    Working with JRF, I discovered there are no limits to ambition. Working with youth, inspired me even more to develop myself personally so I enrolled in University; something I never thought was possible.

    "
    Masayel Thyabat - participant and beneficiary of JRF training courses
  • "

    I would have had no future if it wasn’t for the program and the support of the Jordan River Foundation. 

    "
    Mohammad, 19 - Youth Career Initiative beneficiary
  • "

    The smile we draw on the innocent faces of these young girls is the source of our strong-will and determination to continue and expand the work we have started", thank you JRF.

    "
    Madeline and Maram - “Safe Room” Project
  • "

    I would have never imagined meeting Her Majesty one day, but when she visited Wadi Araba, I realized that we have achieved something to be proud of. 

    "
    Abu Wael - Qaa Al-Se’diyeen Association
  • "

    In University, am not Abu Sakher or the head of an association, am just a regular student and my daughter’s colleague.

    "
    Masayel Thyabat - Participant and beneficiary of JRF training courses
  • "

    We are proud to declare that the Safe Room has assisted more than 60 girls since 2009 and was successful in returning ten dropouts to school again," "corporal punishment have dropped down significantly, and parents are showing more collaboration with our project.

    "
    Madeline and Maram - “Safe Room” Project
  • "

    I come from an area of small farmers who can barely sell their produce to the local market and with the suppressed prices during the high season, the farmers are content if they just break-even… a cold storage and a food processing unit was a dream for us but we never thought that it can become reality. 

    "
    Fatima Al Qudah - Ajloun Cold Storage Project
  • "

    I felt like a prisoner, today I accept my daughter’s illness, I know how to deal with her, before I used to deal with her illness instead.”

    "
    Ghadeer - The QRFCC
  • "

    I liked to practice what I learned at home, and I had no idea that my brothers and sisters were learning too.

    "
    Mohammad, 19 - Youth Career Initiative beneficiary
  • "

    When Her Majesty’s visited us to share our experience, her words motivated us; I will never forget it when she said we rephrased the meaning of the word “Citizen” through our work.

    "
    Omar Al Manzalawi - ‘Neighborhoods Enhancement Teams’ Project.
  • "

    “My father encourages me to continue my education after he witnessed my success; I am a changed woman. Today I am a real member in the family; participate in decision making equal to my brothers and full of belief that in order to make a change, you should change from within yourself first.

    "
    Nayfeh - beneficiary of project management training courses
  • "

    Like many, I was occupied with the details of my own daily life. I walked in the neighborhood on a daily basis, it was impossible to avoid the scattered garbage or twisting my ankle when walking over a hidden hole; yet I did nothing, we did nothing to change. It was always easier to blame the authorities. All of this changed once we enrolled in the JRF’s program which taught us the spirit in working as a team. 

    "
    Omar Al Manzalawi - ‘Neighborhoods Enhancement Teams’ Project.
  • "

    I am so grateful for your help, I have talked to my mother about what I am experiencing and she has been very supportive since

    "
    Suha, 13 - JRF 110 Helpline beneficiary
  • "

    I never thought that this experience will change me into a complete different person.

    "
    Hussein - “Al Maghaweer” Volunteer
  • "

    I had no idea Suha was going through such a hard time. I could see there was something wrong, but I didn’t know what to do about it. Thank you for helping us

    "
    Suha’s mother - JRF 110 Helpline beneficiary
  • "

    The beacon that guides the residents towards one goal for the benefit of all.

    "
    Abu Wael - beneficiary talking about the first development attempt in Wadi Araba
  • "

    We were determined to find the space in our compounded school building, and with humble resources we agreed to renovate the old storage.

    "
    Madeline and Maram - “Safe Room” Project
  • "

    JRF has transformed me into a Super Citizen

    "
    Omar Al Manzalawi - ‘Neighborhoods Enhancement Teams’ Project.
  • "

    I lived my childhood in KSA, I had no idea what the word “volunteer” meant until I became one.

    "
    Abdulateef - Youth Volunteer Summer Project
  • "

    I knew that this project can change my life... I met many people and have more self-confidence.

    "
    Fatima Al Qudah - Ajloun Cold Storage Project
  • "

    My parents, who opposed the idea at the beginning, recognize the new me and encouraged my twin brother to join.

    "
    Hussein - “Al Maghaweer” Volunteer
  • "

    We are in a much better place; our voices are heard by authorities after a long time of silence, we know how to deal with challenges and transform them into opportunities.     

    "
    Omar Al Manzalawi - ‘Neighborhoods Enhancement Teams’ Project.
  • "

    My life has changed completely.

    "
    Abdulateef - Youth Volunteer Summer Project
  • "

    The training I received on Basic life Skills, Leadership Skills and volunteering have enriched my teen years and developed my personality.

    "
    Abdulateef - Youth Volunteer Summer Project
  • "

    My work with JRF and in the complex enriched my experience and my university studies; it is truly the ultimate prize.

    "
    Fatima Al Qudah - Ajloun Cold Storage Project
  • "

    I continuously talk to my peers and encourage them to enroll in the centers various programs and activities. At school, I stood out in my class as I became more confident and empowered; now I want my younger brothers to join the center so they get the same opportunity I did.

    "
    Abdulateef - Youth Volunteer Summer Project
  • "

    I was empowered by Jordan River Foundation’s training and worked hard to change, leading my father to change too” 

    "
    Nayfeh - beneficiary of project management training courses
  • "

    It was a daunting path towards an old and dark storage room, we never imagined that this same space could become a bright, safe and attractive room, it has actually become our favorite spot in the school.

    "
    Iman, 12 - on a safe room volunteers created at her school.
  • "

    I want to be popular like other girls in my class”, she complains “why is this happening to me?

    "
    Suha, 13 - JRF 110 Helpline beneficiary
  • "

    The Safe Room is a haven for distressed girls whom we have longed to assist for the past years," "in this space, students can speak freely and confidentially about their deepest pains and fears, seek guidance, and receive support.

    "
    Madeline - “Safe Room” Project
  • "

    The desert of Wadi Araba became a green paradise producing only the best, and our community divided one day, is now working together under Qaa Al-Se’diyeen Association.

    "
    Abu Wael
  • "

    Inside us is a new feeling that we haven’t experienced before, the feeling of true citizenship and responsibility towards ourselves and our community”                            

    "
    Omar Al Manzalawi - ‘Neighborhoods Enhancement Teams’ Project.
  • "

    I feel empowered as I became one of two decision makers in my house. I now help my husband around the house, I learned how to drive and bought my first car after three years of work. My husband and I bought a land and a house and we are saving for the education of our three children.

    "
    Fatima Al Qudah - Ajloun Cold Storage Project
  • "

    My experience with JRF changed me, I realize now that the prize is bigger than money; it is great friends and the feeling of pride every time I pass by a school or a street that we helped to change.

    "
    Hussein - “Al Maghaweer” Volunteer
  • "

    I felt so good after that call” said the counselor who spoke to Suha and her mother,  “it is live proof that doing what we do can have a real impact on someone’s life. Suha is not alone in her struggle anymore, we made that happen

    "
    Suha’s mother - JRF 110 Helpline beneficiary
  • "

    Through JRF's training programs, Madeline and I are able to identify cases of abuse in school, assist girls through creative and indirect methodologies such as writing and drawing and cooperate with the Family Protection Department in Aqaba when needed.

    "
    Maram - “Safe Room” Project

Jordan River Foundation and Al Maabar agreement signing

Date: 
Mon, 2012-05-07
Maabar Agreement

Al Maabar Aqaba Real Estate Development Company and The Jordan River Foundation (JRF) signed on May 1st, 2012 an agreement in the Queen Rania Al Abdullah Center for Community Empowerment (QRACCE), to implement developmental projects targeting different segments of the community in the city of Aqaba.

The agreement was signed by Mr. Yousef Al Nowais, Chairman of Al Maabar Jordan Investments and Ms. Valentina Qussisiya, the Director General of JRF.

Both JRF and Al Maabar agreed on the formation of a mutual coordinating committee, which will be responsible for the implementation of the action plans of the agreed upon suggested projects, timeframes and budget allocated for the programs that will be implemented in cooperation between the two parties through the QRACCE, this committee will also supervise work progress.
The agreement entails that the programs to be implemented will cover socio-economic aspects, youth segment in addition to the development of Community Based Organizations (CBO’s) to enhance their contribution to community development in Aqaba.
Eng. Ghaleb Al Qudah, JRF’s Deputy Director General and Director of the Jordan River Community Empowerment Program presented the main interventions that will be implemented under the agreement in the city of Aqaba, indicating the main challenges in terms of development.

Eng. Qudah explained that the programs that will be implemented under the JRF and Al Maabar partnership, aim at enhancing livelihoods of individuals and families and improving CBO’s performance, this will be achieved through JRF’s empowerment programs including capacity building, income generating projects, revolving loans, needs assessments, in addition to empowering them in project management including technical and financial aspects, encouraging them to develop income – generating projects to enhance their quality of life and create employment opportunities.

Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Yousef Al Nowais, Chairman of Al Maabar Jordan Investments, states: "This agreement aligns with the vision of His Majesty King Abdullah II for the development of Aqaba as a future business gateway for Jordan. It underlines the importance of public and private sector partnerships and the essential role of investment projects such as Marsa Zayed in achieving the desired growth and development."

He added: "We chose the Jordan River Foundation to help us implement our development initiatives in Aqaba because of the already existing harmony between their community programs and our own social responsibility strategy, which is focused on encouraging talent and education, the regeneration of communities, protection of the environment and also on heritage preservation."
Mr. Al Nowais further noted that this agreement also shows how Al Maabar is keen to achieve synergies between its projects and the local communities in which it operates and that Al Maabar takes seriously its responsibility of bringing opportunity, prosperity and optimism to its partner counties. Al Maabar’s Marsa Zayed project has a key role to play in transforming Aqaba into an advanced trade and tourism hub in the region

In terms of social development, JRF and Al Maabar will implement child protection programs within their families and living environment, in addition to enhancing family dynamics through tackling issues related to child, families and schools.
Eng. Al Qudah added that “the purpose of the youth programs is to increase our youths’ socio-economic capacities, motivating them to become active members of their communities and to participate in decision making, in addition to encouraging them to establish communication channels with social experts and the community in general”.

JRF and Al Maabar’s partnership also takes into consideration building the capacity of CBO’s specially those targeting youth to emphasize positive values in them such as citizenship, social responsibility and education, helping the youth to realize the connection between their needs and the communities needs with the available resources in order to create effective socio-economic initiatives.

Al Maabar – Profile

Rooted in the culture, values and vision of Abu Dhabi, we at Al Maabar create landmark, mixed-used real estate developments across the MENA region. Our destinations work in harmony with local heritage and environments to add real value to the communities and host countries they serve. With our key projects underway in Jordan (Marsa Zayed in Aqaba and The St. Regis Amman and The Residences at The St. Regis Amman) and Morocco (Bab Al Bahr), Al Maabar is already earning a reputation for considered, sustainable developments that are designed to regenerate communities and ignite economic potential.

With the country’s leading real estate and investment powerhouses among our shareholders (Mubadala Development Company PJSC, Aldar Properties PJSC, Al Qudra Holdings PSC, Reem Investments PSC and Reem International LLC) there is no doubt in our economic credentials. This, combined with our respectful and forward-thinking attitude, uniquely qualifies us to add value, stability and longevity to all our projects and partnerships. Al Maabar is furthering Abu Dhabi’s distinguished reputation for wisely considered and thoughtfully implemented, global investment.