AMMAN — In celebration of His Majesty King Abdullah’s birthday on January 30, Her Majesty Queen Rania joined young volunteers accompanying a group of children with disabilities to spend a fun-filled day at the Children’s Museum-Jordan (CMJ).
The Queen joined the children as they toured the museum and enjoyed interacting with various exhibits, including the human body section, the imagination playground, and the construction areas, according to a statement from Her Majesty’s office.
Organised by the Voluntary Initiatives Network (VIN), the fun day at the museum is part of a series of programmes the network is arranging to celebrate His Majesty’s birthday by bringing joy to the vulnerable and giving back to society.
CMJ Director Sawsan Dalaq noted that the museum improved its facilities over the past year to become more accessible and “friendly” for individuals with disabilities.
Also in 2013, and in collaboration with the Higher Council for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities, the museum had the opportunity to train its staff on how to assist visitors with disabilities, the statement said.
Lana Al Ramahi, who heads VIN, said the network’s programmes include launching the second phase of the “Darna Darhom” project, which is implemented at Al Asirra Al Baydaa Society’s homecare centre for the elderly.
Through this project, VIN volunteers aim to work to beautify and improve the centre to make the elderly feel more at home.
Other projects run by VIN include the “Educate an Orphan” initiative, while activities are also held with Al Amal Centre for Special Needs and a group of children with hearing disabilities.
Launched last year, the network is a coalition of voluntary initiatives from across the Kingdom whose main goal is to spread and enrich the culture of volunteerism and encourage positive change within society, according to the statement.
The Children’s Museum-Jordan is one of the Queen’s nonprofit educational organisations that aims to nurture curious children who love to learn.
Launched by Their Majesties in 2007, the museum features more than 110 indoor and outdoor permanent exhibits and educational facilities, such as a library and an art studio.
The museum offers year-round educational programmes and events for children and has welcomed over 900,000 visitors since it opened.
