AMMAN — Enthusiasm filled the air on Saturday as hundreds of students were given a platform to demonstrate newly developed skills they mastered under the “Haqeq” (achieve) initiative.
In the presence of HRH Crown Prince Hussein, founder of the self-advancement programme, some 1,200 ninth and tenth graders of both sexes celebrated their graduation as the first batch of participants, awaiting a journey of “self-exploration and good deeds” under the project’s upcoming phases.
“I never imagined myself standing in front of an audience and expressing myself, but Haqeq gave me strength and showed me that I have all that it takes to overcome my fears,” Mohammad Salem, a ninth grader from Deir Alla told The Jordan Times on the sidelines of the ceremony.
He added that public speaking “has always terrified me’’, but it became his signature skill.
But for Zeina Saqer, Siham Kiswani and Farah Odeh, the acquisition of self-defence techniques was their favourite achievement.
“We used to be told that girls could not perform activities that involve physical force,” they said, adding that martial arts have strengthened their self-esteem and discipline.
Launched in April 2013 in cooperation with the Education Ministry, the initiative seeks to change the life of young Jordanians in an institutionalised manner that benefits the country through inculcating a sense of volunteerism, teamwork, democracy and belonging, according to Haqeq Director Thabet Nabulsi.
“Participants have been chosen from across the Kingdom according to specific standards and received six months intensive training to improve their social, leadership and physical skills,” he said, adding that the training included workshops, field trips, camps and social service programmes.
Saturday’s ceremony included a documentary highlighting the role of Haqeq and voluntary work carried out by its participants.
Students involved in Haqeq showcased a number of projects implemented under the initiative at the World Economic Forum meeting held in Jordan last year.
