AMMAN (JT) - Her Majesty Queen Rania on Wednesday highlighted the importance of integrating children with special learning needs in diverse educational programmes during a visit to the community of Balama in Mafraq Governorate, where she inspected development efforts led by local organisations.
Mercy Corps Country Director David Brigham highlighted local capacity development initiatives aimed at building secure and productive communities in poverty pockets across the Kingdom.
As an international organisation working in 40 countries, Mercy Corps provides communities with the necessary tools and support to transform their lives. In Jordan, the NGO works on a project to support the Balama Charity Society increase its capacity to serve vulnerable groups such as women and children with disabilities.
During the visit, Mercy Corps Programme Director Yumna Abu Hassan, briefed Queen Rania on recent developments, which include adjustments to the society’s building to allow the disabled access.
The society also introduced disability awareness and inclusive education teacher training courses, which respond to day-to-day classroom requirements.
In partnership with eight community-based organisations for people with disabilities (PWD), Mercy Corps efforts also target children with disabilities to support their integration in existing kindergarten programmes throughout the Kingdom.
In Balama, the Queen visited a kindergarten classroom where the Mercy Corps Programme “Towards Integration for Disabled Children and Youth” successfully integrated five physically disabled students within a regular classroom.
To date, the structural modifications carried out on local kindergarten schools in different governorates have benefited more than 160 students, enabling at least 40 disabled children to learn and interact with their peers in a challenging integrated setting.
Also yesterday, Queen Rania met with a group of 10 mothers in the area who participated in the Portage training programme conducted by the Higher Council for Disabilities.
The women, whose children benefited from the integration programme, shared views on how the training course positively affected their relationships with their children and the surrounding community.
Another group of women, who participated in an income-generating basket-weaving workshop, explained the advantages reaped by this opportunity and how it is positively affecting the way they experience life in Balama.
Accompanied by Majdi Al Qurum from the Near East Foundation (NEF), Her Majesty then visited the Balama Special Education Society where she met with its director, Abdul Rahim Al Khawaldeh, and discussed efforts exerted by the foundation to increase the society’s capacity to serve PWD.
With some 260 disability cases, the Balama Special Education Society is working with NEF to provide support and care services to the local community, including the distribution of hearing aids, eyeglasses and wheelchairs.
In an effort to enhance the capacities of its teachers and better meet the needs of disabled children, the society also conducts specialised teacher training courses, one of which Her Majesty was briefly able to attend.
The training course, conducted by the Queen Zein Al Sharaf Institute for Development, enhances teachers’ skills, knowledge and methodologies in dealing with special needs children.
The Queen was also able to watch newly trained teachers demonstrate their acquired expertise in a real classroom setting.
Before concluding her visit, Queen Rania stopped by the home of Um Attif, a widow and mother of four supported by the Balama Charity Society.
Founded in 1981, the Balama Charity Society provides donations to underprivileged families, and also conducts awareness and capacity development programmes for women and tutoring sessions for Tawjihi students.
