Jordan

Since 2012, our aid has been directed to Syrian refugees who had to flee their homes because of the war, and to their host communities. We have supported the reduction of the long-term risks they face as a result of poverty, whether it is (in)education for children, nutrition, healthcare or mental health issues.

After a brief pause, we are returning to Zarqa, Jordan in 2024, where we first operated in 2019. Once again, in collaboration with our partner organization Lutheran World Federation (LWF), we are supporting the local community centre, which provides psychological support, education, and a variety of leisure activities for children and adults. It offers English classes, nutritional therapy, and a variety of sports and art groups (Zumba, self-defense, mosaic making). The centre also has a ceramics workshop with courses for all age groups, which was opened with the support of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Amman. The community centre is open to all residents of the city, both refugees and members of the local Jordanian community.

In the past, we also worked in the Jordanian refugee camp of Zátari, where we also supported the community centre of our partner organisation LWF. In 2019, Lenten fundraising helped us build a kindergarten – the first of its kind here – and provide for its full-day operation as well. The 60-child nursery and playground significantly expand how and where women can spend their free time, and greatly relieve (especially) women of having time for work, themselves and their other needs. The nursery is still functional and very popular – waiting times are several months and the number of applicants exceeds the available capacity. With the support of the Ministry of Interior (Aid in Place), we have increased professional qualifications and awarded small grants to support new small trades directly in this camp of 80,000 people and also in the town of Irbid.