Partnering community
development in Karak governorate
Since
the registration of the branch in Jordan, institutionalizing its
internal structure and clarifying its strategic approach Fida
Development Cooperation Agency has started to implement its
community-based approach in a systematic way, first choosing partners
and target areas to focus on.
After studying the
map of developmental needs in Jordan and training of tentative
candidates for partners, the selection was made by making cooperation
agreements in three villages in Karak governorate. In all these
villages the main focus of Fida is to enable the local partner to run
their own activities and reach their visions. This will be achieved
mainly by training the partners and working together with them.
Humud restoration project
The
Association of Humud´s People for Restoration of Historical and
Cultural Heritage is a local NGO (hereafter the Humud NGO), which was
chosen as a partner with Fida at the end of the year 2005.
The aim of the Humud NGO is to restore the old ruined historical Humud
village to a model of a traditional village as it was some 200 years
ago. This will be done respecting the traditional style of building and
keeping the traditional skills of craftsmanship and the way of life
alive.
The village is going to be a new important national attraction where an
old cultural and historical heritage and way of life in the Middle East
can be experienced in a lively way. The place can be used for several
kinds of events such as weddings, seminars and excursions. Jordanian
students from the primary until the university level will find the
village as demonstrating an important piece of their own historical
roots. Internationally it will become an interesting target for the
students of the history of the Middle East either with professional or
touristic aims.
Facilitating social
development in the area
The
Humud restoration project is a major cultural innovation strengthening
the identity of Jordanians from the Bedouin background. This is very
important in an era of cultural globalization affecting especially the
youth and weakening its understanding and appreciation of local
traditions. The Humud project also aims to become an important source
of income and social development for the local community and for other
needy villages in Karak area. After the village has been restored, its
workshops, shops and services will give many work opportunities for the
families living close-by.
This dimension of social
development is what Fida focuses on, while the Humud NGO is taking the
overall responsibility of the project. Fida supports the NGO in
planning and implementation process and by training the members of the
staff. Moreover, a special team consisting from some members of the NGO
has been chosen as a key unit for long-term capacity building programme
by Fida equipping the team and the NGO to empower other needy villages
in the area, too. Hence, supporting the restoration project is only
part of the more general community development programme in the Karak
area.
During 2006 the team received several trainings (of trainers) about
community development in rural areas including, e.g.
- Principles of
community-based development
- Various aspects of project
planning and management
- Participatory methods for
planning, training and needs assessment in the community
- Micro-enterprises
- Gender aspects in community
development
- Awareness about
environmental issues (see News on April 2007 in this web page)
- Comprehensive family-based
social work
After these trainings the team is able to start to multiply itself by
facilitating development in other villages, too. After conducting a
comprehensive survey on the living conditions and development needs of
four areas in the Karak governorate, one specific village has been
chosen as the main target community in which to implement their new
skills. Besides that Fida has operated some pilot projects in two
villages in the Karak governorate. For example, in Khaldiyeh it
co-operated in renovating badly deteriorated interior and playground
area of the kindergarten (more details in “News” on July
2006).
Fida will continue to facilitate the plans and projects of the partners
and go forward in the capacity building programme and empowering
process of the local communities. During 2007 it will mean general
planning, baseline studies and projects implemented according to the
specific needs and priorities of the local partners.
Al-´Ataa Centre for Training & Social
Development
Mission
The
mission of the Al-´Ataa Centre is to empower poor and vulnerable
families in East Amman to improve their life management and eventually
get rid of poverty.
The role of the
centre is to facilitate the (ideally) self-determined process of the
poor and vulnerable by offering resources and capabilities (knowledge,
skills, increased sense of integrity etc.) and encouraging them to
develop more effective ways of using those capabilities in their
pursuit of happy life.
Vulnerable groups may include unemployed, families with one parent,
families having problems in parenting, poor refugees etc. Special
emphasis is put to the quality of life of women and children.
Multi-dimensional concept of poverty
Poverty
is not only a financial matter. It is caused by the lack of many kinds
of resources and capabilities related to psychological, socio-cultural,
educational and health problems (micro level) as well as unfavourable
economic, social and political structures (macro level). Together they
hinder poor people to manage their life successfully. The lack of life
management is often parallel to the vulnerability for micro and macro
level shocks.
The Al-´Ataa Centre implements this
multi-dimensional concept of poverty and human development (see more in
the article section of this web page)
Activities
I Vocational and other skills development
courses
Various vocational and other
training courses are offered in the centre. Examples of
ongoing or planned courses are:
- Information technology for beginners
- Information technology for advanced students
- English language for beginners
- English language for intermediate students
- Micro Enterprises
- Ladies´ hair-dressing
- Vocational courses for men
- Sewing for ladies
- Gym for ladies
- Gym for men
Every course will give some
important skills and knowledge which have positive impacts on the life
of the poor:
- Improved employment and economy
- Improved physical and mental health of adults
and children
- Improved capacity of poor families to develop
their life independently
The
trainers of the Al-‘Ataa centre are either full-time Jordanian
workers
or part-time paid or volunteer experts from Jordan. The personnel of
Fida International Development Agency in Jordan participate to some
training but focus mainly on the capacity building of the local staff
and volunteers.
II Family-based social and community development
The family-based social work
aims to reach positive results in life management skills, including
- improved awareness about the
needs of children and proper parenting
- preventing physical and mental health problems
- preventing psycho-social problems and healing from traumas
- better social relationships within families and in the community
This activity benefits from the approach and tools of Finnish social
development work and from international experiences about
community-based development as adjusted to the local circumstances and
society. There are always internal strengths in poor communities like
family networks helping each other in troubles. These coping strategies
could be strengthened by counselling community members about how to use
them even more effectively.
III Awareness campaigns and seminars
Lack
of knowledge about how to prevent diseases and take care about personal
health at home level is one of the main reasons behind popularity of
many health problems among the poor. This raises the need of arranging
awareness campaigns about the topics such as dental care, nutrition,
maternal care, preventing diarrhoea etc.
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The Humud NGO is aiming to restore the old ruined historical Humud
village to a model of a traditional village. After the restoration
project has been completed the old village is going to be a new
important national attraction where one can experience an old cultural
and historical heritage and way of life in the Middle East in a lively
way. The restored village could also be used as the place for events
such as weddings, seminars and excursions.
 The
logo of the Al-´Ataa centre
demonstrates the mission of facilitating the poor to find the way for
sustainable development.
Al-´Ataa
Center is located in Eastern Jabal Amman in the end of Al-Mutraan
street. The centre has separate rooms for reception, various training
courses, seminars and offices. In order to make the course attendance
easier for mothers, baby-sitting is arranged for small children.
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