The Jordanian River Foundation hosted an exhibition which was opened by Information Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, in the attendance of the Assistant Secretary General at the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters Abd Al-Hady Al-Ajemi and the Jordanian Ambassador to Kuwait Goma’a Al-Abady, as well as many of the Ambassadors to Kuwait. The exhibition opened in Abdelaziz Hussain Culture Centre in Mishref on Tuesday.

The Jordan River Foundation (JRF), established in 1995 and Chaired by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, is a non-profit Jordanian Non -Governmental Organization (NGO). The vision of the foundation is to give power to society, especially women and children, and in turn to improve the quality of life in order to secure a better future for all Jordanians.

The Jordan River Foundation’s mission is to promote, in partnership with its stakeholders, the development of a dynamic Jordanian society by initiating and supporting sustainable social economic, and cultural programs that empower communities and individuals based on their needs and priorities. JRF has two main areas of concentration: protecting the rights and needs of children through the Jordan River Children Program, and empowering individuals and communities through the Community Empowerment Program.

JRF began its economic empowerment efforts by focusing on the improvement of women’s status in underprivileged areas. It achieved this goal by launching three income-generating handicraft projects the Bani Hamida Women’s Weaving project, the Jordan River Designs project and the Wadi Al-Rayon project.
The Bani Hamida Women’s Weaving Project was founded in 1985 by the Save the Children Foundation. In 1992, the project was handed over to the Bani Nomida Society for Development which was subsequently joined with JRF in 1997.

With aims to improve the living standard of Jordanian communities, especially women. JRF started the Bani Harnida Women’s Weaving project, which mainly provides employment opportunities for women of the twelve Bani Hamida villages by reviving the traditional weaving traditions of MakaWir area. These women help keep these traditions alive. They achieve this goal by significantly contributing to the betterment of the quality of life of their families.

Wooden spindles and floor looms are used to produce high quality pure wool rugs, runners, wall hangings. saddle bags. baskets, and coasters.

Candle’s project established in year 2002 in the MakaWir area employs four women full-time. It is a productive initiative that aims to provide job opportunities for the people of Bani Hamida by offering candle-making techniques. The handmade candles are available in different colors scents, and shapes.

The Jordan River Designs Project was founded in 1988 in Jabal AI-Nadif and Al-Mahata. It employs 16 women full-time and contracts another 500 women. Focusing on textile production inspired by the cultural heritage of these areas, the project gives women there the opportunity to increase their income through textile production and handicraft work. The project also includes high quality traditional and contemporary home furnishings, accessories, and small gift items.

Reported : Kuwaittimes