Ruwwad

Nayab and I have been working on creating a partnership in the realm of community service and outreach between King’s Academy and Ruwwad, a privately funded non-profit organization founded in 2005. Ruwwad runs a series of programs including, but not limited to, provision of scholarships, rehabilitation, and the creation of libraries and community centers in marginalized communities. Ruwwad aims to help under-privileged communities help themselves through sustainable development.

Ruwwad’s influence is particularly evident and successful in a community in East Amman called Jabal Nathif. This area is actually an unofficial refugee camp that has been very poorly constructed and maintained due to the lack of recognition and support from the government. The entire area suffers from high population density, crowded living conditions and lack of important public services. The area suffers from 50% higher unemployment rate than the national average, and 50% fewer higher education graduates.

When Ruwwad first came to Jabal al-Nathif, they spent the first year gathering information about the neighborhood and determining priorities by listening to residents. The residents prioritized projects according to their needs, and then worked with Ruwwad to create the necessary changes-which ranged from creating a children’s library to cooperating with the government to open the area’s first post office, police station, and public health clinic. Ruwwad brings dedicated, hardworking volunteers into the projects by providing university and college scholarships to 250 students from the community.

Upon being introduced to this organization, we were thoroughly impressed. We are developing ways to bridge the Jabal Nathif and King’s communities together in a working partnership. This past weekend we took a few students from King’s and visited the site. Upon arriving, Ruwwad volunteers shared heartfelt stories about their experiences and took us on a tour of the facilities. The faces of the buildings were painted bright colors, and the concrete walls covered with beautiful, folk style murals. They showed us the nursery, playground, administrative offices, crafts rooms and computer lab with pride and admiration for all they have accomplished in just three years. Seeing a thriving hub of activity involving engaged kids and adults alike, I was reminded of my days spent at the Lawrence Boys & Girls Club as a coordinator for my project working with young girls.

After the tour our students separated according to interest and worked at the library, creative arts workshops where they were making collages, paper and ceramics, and in the nursery playing with young children. I walked around and documented the trip, followed by a herd of wonderful children eager to show their community off.

We then had lunch and reflected on our day and brainstormed ways in which we could be involved and provide Ruwwad with seriously committed student volunteers. I look forward to further investigating the possibilities and working closely with Ruwwad this year.