Jordan Times
Tuesday, July 21, 2004
Queen inaugurates JRF annual exhibition — 'Zawaya'
AMMAN (JT) — In an aesthetically pleasing display
of interior decoration, the Jordan River Foundation (JRF) on Tuesday unveiled
its annual exhibition of handicrafts born from the labours of over 700 women
benefiting from income-generating projects throughout the Kingdom.
Her Majesty Queen Rania toured the display of original and innovative products
at the JRF showroom, and expressed delight at the simple yet contemporary
designs focusing on traditional Jordanian and Islamic motifs that blend into
modern interiors.
This year's exhibition has taken a new dimension with regard to JRF's outlook of
empowering individuals. For the very first time, seven young designers have
participated in creating new products for the foundation.
Inspired by past and present influences, the handicrafts on display are
characterised by their superior quality, new designs and attractive colours.
The exhibition, which will continue through August 4, is considered a
fundamental tool in promoting the handicraft products of hard working women who
are helping in the social and economic development of their communities. Since
their inception, the projects have become a model of success by providing over
2,000 families with the opportunity to earn an income to improve their
livelihood.
Direct beneficiaries and local community members constantly receive capacity
building and training on topics that include project management, accounting,
bookkeeping, marketing and the correct format for conducting feasibility
studies.
Be they Bani Hamida rugs, Wadi Al Rayan baskets and furniture, intricate
embroideries of the Jordan River Designs, or Al Karma Centre's community-driven
projects; participation, innovation and sustainability continue to be the
underlying themes in these income-generating handicraft initiatives. JRF
facilitates these initiatives further through providing design services, quality
control and raw materials. Marketing support is present through the annual
exhibitions held by the foundation in local and international markets.
The JRF annual exhibition in Jordan provides proceeds that help sustain the
projects and supply income for the beneficiaries.
Moreover, JRF promotes these skills and productions on an international level. A
“Traditional and Contemporary Jordanian Handicrafts” exhibition was held in
Athens this May, and JRF held an exhibition in Dubai in April as well as a
fund-raising event to benefit the foundation's Child Safety Programme's National
Awareness Campaign.
Future international events include a handicraft exhibition to be held in Paris
this November.
The Income Generating Handicraft Projects fall under the auspices of the
Community Empowerment Programme (CEP), which exemplifies JRF's commitment to
sustainable human development. Through its various projects, the CEP aims to
empower communities, inclusive of the more vulnerable, to participate in
creating their own economic opportunities and improving the quality of their
lives.
With the artistic pieces arranged around JRF showrooms as if in the salon or
living room of a Jordanian home, the title of Zawaya — or `Corners' — is a
fitting heading for this year's exhibition, which is sponsored by Abu Shakra and
can be viewed at the JRF showroom in Jabal Amman at the First Circle.