Queen visits Mafraq's Hayyan Rwaybed village

AMMAN — Her Majesty Queen Rania on Tuesday visited the village of Hayyan Rwaybed in Mafraq Governorate where she met with members of the local community, including beneficiaries of an economic-empowerment programme supported by the Royal Hashemite Court, a statement by Her Majesty's Office said.

Her Majesty visited the Hayyan Rwaybed Society for Social Development, where she met with the society’s board, as well as beneficiaries of a community-based credit scheme. Financed under a royal grant and implemented in collaboration with the Community Centres Association (CCA), the scheme provides 145 community members with financing to launch their own income-generating projects.

The society’s president, Ahmad Al Khawaldeh, briefed the Queen on its various initiatives, which include early childhood development programmes, sewing courses, income-generating projects and support for disadvantaged families. The Queen also heard from the society’s director, Faeq Al Rdeisat, who gave a brief on current programmes and future plans. 

CCA founder Sari Nasser explained how the funds under the royal grant scheme are distributed with the aim of improving the socioeconomic status of its beneficiaries. The grant scheme is being implemented in Mafraq, Zarqa, Dhlail, Russeifa and Azraq through 23 civil society organisations (CSOs), in coordination with the CCA, Ministry of Social Development and local officials. 

Her Majesty met with 35 beneficiaries of the grant scheme in Mafraq, and participated in a discussion moderated by CCA President Firyal Saleh, during which the beneficiaries shared their experiences in launching their projects and described how the scheme has improved their standard of living.

In Mafraq alone, the grant scheme has led to the launch of 144 family businesses, including vocational, commercial and agricultural projects. A total of 83 of the projects are led by women, while 61 are run by men.

Describing Mafraq as a “model of solidarity, sacrifice and altruism”, Her Majesty highlighted the high standing in which the governorate has always been held among the Hashemites, due to its role as a protector of the country’s borders and a model of generosity. 

The Queen thanked the people of Mafraq for their kindness and hospitality towards their Syrian brothers and sisters, and for opening their homes to the refugee community, acknowledging the challenges of hosting a large refugee population, and the increased demand on educational and health facilities.

She concluded by highlighting the vital role of local CSOs, which, due to their closeness and familiarity with the concerns of the community, are best positioned to assist and empower local families.

During her visit to the village, Her Majesty also made a stop at the Hayyan Rwaybed Al Sharqi Elementary Coeducational School, where she was received by its principal, Mary Shdeifat, and Royal Health Awareness Society (RHAS) Director Hanin Odeh. 

Attended by approximately 250 students from pre-school to grade 10, the school is being considered for the bronze level of the Healthy Schools National Accreditation, an RHAS programme which strives to create health-promoting environments within Jordanian schools. Her Majesty chatted with students and teachers about the RHAS accreditation and training programmes offered by the Queen Rania Teacher Academy. She also attended part of the school’s on-site evaluation, which aimed at assessing the school’s adherence to the programme’s criteria.

The Queen ended her visit by dropping in on two of the families that have received support through the royal grant scheme, observing their income-generating projects firsthand.