Queen says Al Aman Fund's success measured by jobs it provides to orphans

AMMAN — Her Majesty Queen Rania said on Sunday that the growing achievements of Al Aman Fund reflect the confidence its donors have in its "noble goals", and the essential services it provides to orphans after they leave state-run orphanages.

The Queen made these remarks during the annual Al Aman Fund Board of Trustees meeting, which she chaired, according to a statement from Her Majesty's office.

The meeting reviewed the fund’s accomplishments last year, its progress this year and its plans for 2017.

Queen Rania highlighted the importance of carrying out impact assessment studies to measure the effectiveness of the fund’s services, in order to expand currently efficient programmes, and scale back on less productive ones.

Her Majesty stressed that the fund’s success should be measured by the number of jobs it provides to orphaned graduates, because only income can help them become independent and able to afford to start their own families.

The chairman of the board of directors, Laith Al Qasem, explained that the fund’s aim is to equip orphaned youth with the education and necessary skills to become self-reliant, productive members of society. 

To date, Al Aman Fund has helped 2,878 orphaned beneficiaries from all governorates, of whom 1,684 have graduated from universities, colleges and vocational training programmes, the statement said.

Qasem added that last year, Al Aman Fund provided scholarships to 815 orphaned students for undergraduate and master’s degrees, college diplomas and vocational training opportunities.

Among the other services the fund provides, he explained that academic and psychological counselling programmes "have been instrumental" in preparing its orphaned beneficiaries for employment.

A significant rise in donations by private individuals increased the fund’s revenues by 40 per cent last year, according to Qasem. He attributed this rise to the fund’s efforts to reach a larger number of private donors through its call centre, in order to help alleviate fluctuations in financial commitments by private sector companies.

Al Aman Fund Director Ibrahim Al Ahmad said other sources of funding include donations from the government, the private sector and non-governmental organisations.

The board agreed on the need to start up an investment fund in order to secure the ongoing needs of orphans in the future and the organisation’s long-term financial sustainability.

Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Central Bank of Jordan Governor Ziad Fariz, Chief Islamic Justice Ahmad Hilayel, Social Development Minister Wajih Azaizeh, Fund Treasurer Mufleh Aqel, Ahmad Ateeqa, Mohammad Alayan, as well as legal consultant Saed Karajah, and Queen Rania Foundation CEO Haifa Atia also attended the meeting.

Founded by Queen Rania, Al Aman Fund was institutionalised in 2006 as a non-profit organisation registered under the Ministry of Social Development in Jordan. 

The fund covers its beneficiaries’ tuition fees at higher education institutions and their personal expenses.