AMMAN (JT) - Her Majesty Queen Rania on Monday visited two specialised schools for hearing-impaired children in Zarqa, which were recently renovated under the Madrasati initiative.

At Al Amal School for the Hearing Impaired, sponsored by Zain, Queen Rania toured the classrooms with Zain CEO Abdel Malik Al Jaber and School Principal Hiyam Al Jabali and witnessed first-hand the many developments that have positively benefited the children.

The schoolchildren have recently received new hearing equipment and free medical checkups as part of a JD120,000 donation provided by the Phonak Group, which specialises in the design, development, production and worldwide distribution of technologically advanced wireless and hearing systems.

Queen Rania discussed the details of the contribution with Valentine Chapero, chairman of Phonak for hearing aids, who explained that the company’s involvement with Al Amal School was the result of a pledge undertaken by a member of the Young Global Leaders (YGL), who visited the school last May.

“This kind donation demonstrates two things: One, the power and reach of the YGL network, and what can be achieved when a group of talented and compassionate individuals put their heads together; and two, the kindness and altruism of the Hear the World Foundation,” Her Majesty said.

“I can only imagine what these hearing aids will mean to the children of Al Amal School… the chance to finally be part of the conversation… to enjoy the incidental nuances of life: Birdsong, the call to prayer, the laughter of friends. Not to mention what it means for their future job security and personal happiness. For them, the gift of hearing means a fuller, more lyrical life; and for that I know they’re grateful,” she added.

As part of a series of “Impact Journeys”, organised by Madrasati during the YGL summit earlier this year, YGL member George Karen had noticed several children were relying exclusively on sign language to communicate.

In an effort to enhance learning opportunities for children with special needs, Karen’s efforts have facilitated cooperation between Madrasati and Phonak.

Starting in October 2009, the Phonak contribution will enable more than 70 schoolchildren to benefit from wireless hearing aids and FM systems, which provide a foundation for speech understanding and language development, according to Jordanian YGL Emile Cubeisy.

During her tour of Al Amal School, Queen Rania visited the kindergarten section, sitting with children who were being taught how to pronounce letters of the alphabet through computers and touch screen games.

Her Majesty also met with a group of sixth grade hearing-impaired children, who shared their thoughts on their recently restored school.

“Since Madrasati revamped the school last year, our students are better motivated to come to a brighter and safer environment which suits their needs and stimulates them to learn,” the school principal pointed out.

Al Amal School was built in 1993 and currently accommodates 85 students with hearing disabilities.

Earlier on Monday, Her Majesty visited the Queen Alia School for the Hearing Impaired, also a Madrasati Phase I school, sponsored by Orange, accompanied by Madrasati Director Danah Dajani, Orange CEO Nayla Khawam and School Principal Fatmeh Kharabshe.

Queen Rania toured the newly renovated classrooms and sat with a group of children who were being entertained by a magician, then joined another group of hearing-impaired children as their teacher told them a short story in sign language.

The Queen Alia School for the Hearing Impaired is housed in rented premises recently renovated by the Madrasati initiative. Originally founded in 1978, the school now serves 185 students (grades 1-11) and has 33 teachers.

Queen Rania launched the ambitious Madrasati programme in 2008, which seeks to refurbish 500 dilapidated schools by pairing corporations and NGOs with public schools across the Kingdom.

The first phase of the initiative has already renovated 100 schools in Amman and Zarqa in a rehabilitation project focused on enhancing the quality of education and upgrading the learning environment.