Queen Rania meets with representatives of charity organisations, visits school in Jerash

AMMAN — Her Majesty Queen Rania visited the governorate of Jerash on Wednesday, where she stopped by the Jerash Women Charitable Society and Lubaba Bint Al Hareth Secondary School for Girls. 

At the society, the Queen was welcomed by President Samira Al Sabbagh and Vice President Hiba Zureikat, who briefed Her Majesty on the society’s work, according to a statement from Her Majesty's office.

Established in 1971, the Jerash Women Charitable Society is one of the oldest community-based organisations in Jordan, and the oldest in Jerash. Its chief objectives include supporting community members in need through direct aid, and providing training opportunities for women to empower them with vocational skills, the statement said. 

At a meeting there that brought together a group of 15 men and women representing local charities in Jerash, Her Majesty said she is always pleased to meet with organisations that aim to serve their communities and unite under one roof to achieve a common goal. 

The Queen also emphasised that without joining forces, individual efforts will not yield large benefits to communities.

Stressing the important role of civil society organisations and local charities, the Queen explained His Majesty King Abdullah's keenness on supporting home-grown initiatives that understand the needs of people and the importance of investing in their capabilities, according to the statement.

Elaborating on how local charities are best placed to assess the unique needs of a particular area, Her Majesty said that projects initiated from within the community are often the most successful at creating impact. 

All the charities Her Majesty met with oversee several projects, most of which are income-generating initiatives that help beneficiaries gain financial independence. Other projects they implement centre on women and community empowerment and helping people with disabilities. 

After the meeting, Her Majesty toured the society’s kindergarten and nursery and its sewing workshop, where she met with women working there. The society also runs a traditional embroidery workshop and works towards reducing illiteracy among women through educational programmes. The society's long-term plans include building a production kitchen for training purposes, where women can learn how to make meals and desserts to market at local restaurants. 

While in Jerash, Her Majesty also visited the Lubaba Bint Al Hareth Secondary School for Girls, where she met with its principal, Yasmeen Zureikat, and a number of students and teachers, the statement said.