Queen visits Ajloun Ladies Charity Association

AMMAN — Her Majesty Queen Rania visited the governorate of Ajloun on Wednesday, where she met with board members and beneficiaries of the Ajloun Ladies Charity Association.

During her visit, the Queen stopped by an income-generating business as part of a financial empowerment project for low-income families established with the support of the Jordan River Foundation (JRF), and financed by a Royal Hashemite Court (RHC) revolving fund, according to a statement from Her Majesty’s office.

Welcomed by the association’s President, Nadia Al Rabadi, board members briefed the Queen on their programmes, challenges, and future plans.

The association aims to financially empower Ajloun’s women and girls and raise awareness about environmental and health issues through programmes that aim to foster a safe and healthy environment in the governorate.

At the association, Her Majesty talked to beneficiaries, including those supported by the RHC revolving fund over brunch at Al Bayt Al Reefi.

Through JRF, the RHC revolving fund has supported the establishment of a financial empowerment project for low-income families that is managed by the Ajloun Ladies Charity Association.

With support from local civil societies, the project hopes to improve the financial and living conditions of low-income families through funding and training. The project also helps the families establish and enhance their own income-generating projects for a more sustainable source of income.

Ten civil society organisations have been selected to manage the project’s funding. The organisations were provided with a revolving fund of JD59,500, and were trained to manage the fund on behalf of recipient communities. Over 210 income-generating businesses have been established since the project’s launch in 2017.

Her Majesty also visited the association’s kitchen before dropping in at a training session, and a display of products created by beneficiaries of the revolving fund. 

The Queen concluded her visit with a stop at a gift and flower shop. Established by florist Yaqeen Khatatbeh in 2017, the shop has generated three employment opportunities.

Since its inception in 1982, the Ajloun Ladies Charity Association has implemented various initiatives with the objective of empowering women in Ajloun, including awareness and training sessions on topics ranging from combatting gender-based violence to food production and computer programming and maintenance, as well as several empowerment initiatives.