Wadi Al Rayan Project

Governorate: Irbid
District: Northern Shouna
Community Type: Rural Agricultural

Location
The Wadi Al-Rayan is located in the Jordan Valley, in the southwestern part of the Irbid Governorate.

Description
The Wadi Al-Rayan area is a relatively warm, humid and fertile part of Jordan. Most of the residents of Wadi Al-Rayan rely on agriculture because of the nature of the area. The area’s total population is 12,000 residents.

Problems and Challenges Facing the Area
• Water and power supply to the villages is intermittent.
• Poor housing situations.
• Lack of sufficient health care facilities.
• Poor social status and low educational level.
• Lack of recreational facilities.
• Lack of proper market place.

Economic Problems Facing the Area
• Poverty
• High unemployment rates.
• Lack of income-generating activities.
• Lack of job opportunities, especially for women.
• Most residents rely on agriculture, due to the climate. Such jobs are often “passed down” from one generation to another, however, lack innovative training.
• Lack of marketing skills among the local community.

Wadi Al Rayan Project
Cattail reeds and banana leaves, abundant in the area, formerly posed an environmental hazard when dumped on roadsides or burnt. JRF’s Wadi Al-Rayan Handicraft Project utilizes this raw material in the production of hand-made items such as baskets, coasters, mats and other home accessories. These products, woven into different shapes from braided banana leaves and layered cattail reeds, are characterized with a unique oriental style. The Wadi Al-Rayan Project not only creates job opportunities for local women, it is environmental friendly and preserves traditional handicrafts in the area.

Since the onset of the Wadi Al-Rayan project in 1997, the local women were trained to operate and manage this Project. JRF’s Capacity Building Department provided training in marketing, entrepreneurial initiatives, planning strategies and business development. The conveniently located center provides a comfortable working environment, attracting women from surrounding villages. The project developed to become a connection point in the community and created a sense of energy and partnership among beneficiaries. Every morning women come to work at the center or take raw material with them to work from home, allowing them to be with their children and families.

As with all JRF income-generating handicraft projects, Al-Karma Center - located in the Capital city, Amman - provides the local women of the Wadi Al-Rayan Project with the necessary support for management, design, quality control and marketing.