On the occasion of Arab Orphan Day, Al-Aman Fund for the Future of Orphans celebrated by hosting a lunch and interactive workshop for its beneficiaries on Friday, April 4th, 2008. The Fund, an independent non-governmental organization founded by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah in 2006 with the mission of providing a brighter future for Jordan’s orphaned and abandoned youth, organized this event to honor these young men and women on this special occasion, while simultaneously presenting them with the opportunity to interact with each other, gain knowledge, and develop new skills that will help them reach their future goals.
Arab Orphan Day, which falls during the first week of April, was allocated by the League of Arab States as a day to remember this cherished segment of society. It is also an opportunity for society to show appreciation to all those who, on a daily basis, provide care and support to orphaned youth, from devoted care center workers to mothers struggling and sacrificing in order to raise their orphaned children in the best way they possibly can.
During the event, Ms. Samar Dudin, theatre director & writer who is actively engaged in youth culture, headed the interactive workshop entitled “Commitment & Self Responsibility”. Beneficiaries were divided into groups to be able to effectively participate in activities, problem solving and sharing of suggested solutions & opinions. The workshop was followed by a lunch buffet and the distribution of self-development books to beneficiaries.
Also invited to the event were the heads of several Jordanian orphan care centers as well as members of Al-Aman Fund’s Board of Directors and Board of Trustees. In addition, a number of volunteers who are part of the “We Are All Jordan” Youth Commission and currently enrolled in post-graduate studies at the Hashemite University joined this event, in an effort to give beneficiaries the chance to share experiences with other groups of Jordanian youth.
Ms. Maha Saqqa, Executive Director of Al-Aman Fund for the Future of Orphans, said, “It is the duty of society to educate and empower this group of youth so that they are able to flourish into productive and independent adults. The programs offered by Al-Aman Fund to these youth are sustainable, and the education and skills they receive do not only last them a day, but rather a lifetime.”
Ms. Saqqa added that the reason that “Commitment & Self Responsibility” was chosen as a topic for the workshop is that although the Fund’s beneficiaries greatly need the help and support of society, they must learn that they have a responsibility to themselves as well as to the community members supporting them. After these youth are armed with the tools they need to build a brighter future, the responsibility falls on them to achieve their goals and depend on themselves.
It is important to note that those who wish to make a contribution to Al-Aman Fund for the Future of Orphans can do so by making donation deposits in the Fund's bank accounts, placing standing orders at their banks to transfer periodic donations to Al-Aman Fund, placing donations in Al-Aman Fund donation boxes, calling the Donations Hotline at 06 533 0500, or visiting Al-Aman Fund's website at www.alamanfund.jo.
