Queen Rania honours Jordan River Foundation supporters

AMMAN — Her Majesty Queen Rania on Wednesday honoured supporters of the Jordan River Foundation (JRF) during a "thank you" luncheon. 

The Queen congratulated JRF on its new premises, thanking donors for their support which made the new building possible, according to a statement from her office. 

Her Majesty said that in 1995 she had dreamt of a project that would positively affect people’s lives. “Thankfully, with the support of people like you, we can honestly say that we have influenced the lives of thousands of people. JRF has reached more than a million people and this is a source of pride for us all,” the Queen added. 

The key to change, she said, was giving someone an opportunity. 

The public and private sectors, together with donor organisations and private donors have worked together to make a difference, Her Majesty noted. 

Queen Rania gave a special mention to the Jordan River Child Safety Programme (JRCSP) that has become a model on the Arab and global stage, the statement said.

JRF Vice Chairman Amin Khleifat, JRF Director General Ghaleb Qudah and JRF Deputy Director Danah  Dajani attended the lunch, which was organised to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the foundation. 

“JRF began as a handicrafts project aiming to economically support and empower women,” Qudah explained as he shed light on the foundation’s development and growth over the last 20 years. 

He highlighted some of the projects spearheaded by JRF including the JRCSP, its prevention and intervention services, as well women, youth and community empowerment, and engagement programmes. 

A short film documenting JRF’s journey and success stories was screened during the event, according to the statement. 

Established by Queen Rania in 1995 as a NGO dedicated to improving the livelihoods of families and communities across Jordan, the JRF works through partnerships with the private sector to provide local projects that empower women and men, developing their knowledge and skills in handicraft production, entrepreneurship and small business management.