Programme launched to support Makani centres

AMMAN — The German ambassador to Jordan, Birgitta Siefker-Eberle, has launched a new programme to support UNICEF Makani centres over the next three years, according to a statement sent to The Jordan Times.

The new programme was launched during a visit by Siefker-Eberle, UNICEF Jordan Representative Robert Jenkins and German Development Bank (KfW) Office Director Christian Schaub to a Makani centre in Amman. 

According to the statement, over the next three years, the joint programme will reach 28,000 children from 32 Makani centres located in refugee camps and host communities throughout Jordan. 

The programme is financed by the German government through the KfW, and will provide UNICEF with 13.5 million euros over the next three years.

According to the statement, UNICEF Makani centres provide vulnerable children — both refugees and Jordanians —access to learning support services and community-based child protection. 

During her visit, Siefker-Eberle said that more than 80,000 school-aged Syrian refugee children do not have access to formal education. 

“The future of these children depends on their access to education. It is absolutely necessary for us to provide them with the opportunities to learn and thrive. This holds true for all children currently out of school, be they Syrian or Jordanian,” she said.

“We will continue to work hard to ensure that all children in Jordan are receiving access to quality, inclusive education and essential child protection services,” added UNICEF Jordan Representative Robert Jenkins.

Makani, (“My Space” in Arabic), is UNICEF’s programme for providing educational learning support services, community-based child protection and early childhood development services to local communities, the statement added. 

The programme aims to promote and contribute to the full development and well-being of children, youth and their parents, according to the statement, which added that in 2018, the programme reached over 208,000 individuals, including over 163,000 children. There are 150 Makani centres spread throughout Jordan.