Queen meets with youth during visit to Kawon bookshop in Madaba

AMMAN — Her Majesty Queen Rania on Sunday joined a group of young men and women at Kawon bookshop in Madaba, a creative space known for promoting a culture of reading and encouraging youth innovation.

 Her Majesty was welcomed by Kawon co-founders Ghaith Bahdousheh and Qais Maayeh, who explained how their affinity for reading inspired them to establish the bookshop as a cultural destination for young people, tourists and readers of all ages, according to a statement from Her Majesty’s office.

 Aiming to create job and volunteer opportunities for members of the community, Kawon provides employment for local retirees through its café and recently-opened social kitchen, serving homemade baked goods and locally-sourced teas, the statement said.

 Following a tour of the bookshop, Her Majesty joined CEO of the Madaba Foundation for Development and Training, Ayesha Hawatmeh, for a meeting with a number of local youth active in the fields of entrepreneurship, volunteerism and social work. 

 The Madaba Foundation for Development and Training is a non-profit association with a focus on economic empowerment and education. Operating primarily in the areas of Theeban and Bani Hamida, the association offers self-learning and development opportunities to the governorate’s youth. 

During the meeting, the young men and women presented their contributions to their local communities in various fields. They also shared their aspirations to launch their own projects promoting education, tourism and constructive dialogues across the governorate, according to the statement.

Her Majesty’s office supports a number of youth-focused projects in Madaba, aiming to enhance young men and women’s employability and cultural awareness.  

These projects include the establishment of a new stand-alone learning hub by Kawon, which will be the first such space to host activities related to culture, art and music for Madaba’s children and youth. The office will also support the refurbishment of the bookshop’s existing study space, providing it with laptops and other necessary equipment, the statement said.

 In coordination with the Madaba Foundation for Development and Training, the office will fund several small income-generating projects by young entrepreneurs. It will also work with the association to provide a number of youth in Madaba with access to English-language and soft skills courses, in an effort to help them secure employment.

 Her Majesty’s office will extend its support to the “Shabab 24” initiative, funding initiatives by its members, and to Methrah for Arts and Culture, a non-profit association that aims to enrich Madaba’s cultural scene through music and art activities, the statement said.