Japanese First Lady tours Zaatari camp, Queen Rania Family and Child Centre

AMMAN — First Lady of Japan Akie Abe on Tuesday visited the Zaatari refugee camp and the Queen Rania Family and Child Centre (QRFCC), the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

During her visit to Zaatari, Abe checked on the situation of the Syrian refugees and was briefed on the burdens Jordan is shouldering in light of the large influx of refugees.

During her tour of the camp, she took a firsthand look at services and aid and training programmes provided by UN organisations, before distributing gifts to women and children.

At QRFCC, which is affiliated with the Jordan River Foundation (JRF), the first lady checked on the centre's programmes and services provided to the local community as part of JRF's programme to protect children.

Director General of JRF Enaam Barishi briefed Abe on the programmes provided to increase children's awareness and skills regarding protection against abuse.

Barishi said that the centre provides several programmes and initiatives such as the Beit Saghir programme "small house", which was launched to increase self awareness and emotional intelligence, in addition to learning about body privacy, potential discovery and personal skills enhancement.

Abe was also introduced to the "Glass House" programme, which aims to teach children about building self confidence and managing time through planting activities.

The first lady arrived in the Kingdom on Monday, accompanying her husband Prime Minister Shinz Abe on a two-day official visit.