Jordan Times
Friday, March 26, 2004
JRF to launch pilot project tackling child safety, child abuse issues
AMMAN (JT) — The Jordan River Foundation (JRF) recently signed a grant agreement with Save the Children Federation in Jordan for a project that will tackle issues of child safety and child abuse in the Kingdom.
The agreement, totaling JD7,000, was signed by
Atallah Kuttab, Jordan field office director and Middle East regional director
for Save the Children, and JRF Director General Maha Khatib, according to a JRF
statement.
The funds, transferred to the JRF this week, will provide the foundation with
funding to launch a pilot project to raise awareness among children and adults
about child safety and abuse.
The project will include research activities and workshops to gather
information, which will be used to create a puppet show called “The Salhouf
Tales Series” for children from 4-10 years of age.
JRF staff will develop puppet show themes based on feedback from the research
and workshops.
The puppet show will eventually be used to spread awareness among children about
how to protect themselves from abuse.
It will also serve as a means to encourage dialogue about child safety issues
among parents, teachers, caregivers and professionals.
Once the pilot project is completed, awareness activities will be conducted on a
national level, targeting both urban and rural communities to ensure that they
have access to information that is crucial to child safety and appropriate
child-rearing practices, the statement said,
Save the Children is a private voluntary organisation operating in more than 50
countries. It was established in Jordan in 1985. Its main objectives are to
create a supportive environment for children and youth, provide youth and women
with access to economic opportunities and skills, ensure optimal physical and
socio-physical health and well-being, and encourage the participation of
children and youth in decisions that affect their lives.
The Jordan River Foundation, established in 1995 and chaired by Her Majesty
Queen Rania, is a non-profit NGO. The JRF's mission is to promote, in
partnership with stakeholders, the development of a dynamic Jordanian society by
initiating and supporting sustainable social, economic and cultural programs
that empower communities and individuals based on their needs and priorities.