INVESTING IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN SOUTHWEST ASIA
IDEAS works through community development in Jordan to provide resources for refugees, high-quality eyecare, access to music education, library services, and agricultural programs.
JORDAN
A rich history in Jordan
THE CENTER OF THE MIDDLE EAST
Jordan is positioned at the center of the Middle East and shares borders with Saudi Arabia, Syria, Israel/Palestine, and Iraq. The Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth (1,410 feet below sea level). Jordanians are renowned for their warm and welcoming nature.
Speaking the local language
Ahlan wa sahlan!
Welcome!
In its simplest translation, Ahlan wa Sahlan means welcome. Ahl is the Arabic word for “family.” By adding the “an” at the end, it means being “with family.” Sahlan literally means “easy” and refers to the ease of walking in a hospitable and friendly territory. Putting it all together, Ahlan wa Sahlan basically means, “You’re among family, and you’re in safe territory.”
Home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World
Petra, the Rose City
Petra is believed to have been established in 312 BCE, making it one of the oldest cities in the world. The nickname “Rose City” refers to the reddish-pink sandstone cliffs. Petra was the capital city of the Nabateans, who arrived in Jordan around the 6th century BCE. Only 15% of Petra has been explored by archeologists.
For years, IDEAS has worked with diverse populations in Jordan through education, agriculture, anti-human trafficking, and health services.
Sample a Jordanian favorite
Try Mansaf, a traditional Jordanian dish made with lamb
Mansaf is a lamb dish cooked in a sauce of fermented, dried yogurt and served with rice or bulgur. It is the national dish of Jordan. The name of the dish comes from the term “large tray”.
FINDING SOLUTIONS
IN JORDAN
At IDEAS we work with local communities and partners to identify specific barriers to dignity that arise out of the cultural context. Together, we implement expert, programmatic solutions that result in appropriate and meaningful impact that serves the community as a whole.
CHALLENGES + OPPORTUNITIES
Social stigma around disability
Barriers to acceptance for persons with disabilities
When someone sees a person with a disability in the Arab world, a common response is “‘haram,” which communicates “what a shame” or “what a pity.” The Jordanian government is working toward inclusion in schools, but lasting change is rooted in shifting attitudes and beliefs about disability, moving from inclusion to belonging.
Providing disability services and support
Equipping local institutions with needed resources
IDEAS is recruiting disability professionals and developing ways to partner with local institutions to change attitudes and beliefs about disability in a culturally appropriate way. We are working to develop training programs and support services that target sustainable transformation.
Seeing refugees as people too
Services for refugees are often unavailable
With the high number of refugees in Jordan, important services are often not accessible. It is challenging to find ways to provide vital services like ocular treatment and optometry consultations to people who are in need but are not registered or living in a stable situation.
Using expertise to meet needs
Experts leveraging their skills for good
IDEAS is recruiting educational, health & wellness, anti-human trafficking, disability, and agricultural professionals who are creative, flexible, and excited about using their skills to expand our community development work in Jordan.
Support IDEAS Work in Jordan
Help support our work in Jordan.
IDEAS work in community development in Jordan through education, agriculture, anti-human trafficking, health and wellness, and disability services. We provide needed programs that respect local communities and encourage people to pursue the values of God’s kingdom.
Providing quality eye care for impoverished communities
Accessible eye care + needed services.
Eye Care for Refugees provides accessible primary care optometry services, including prescription eyeglasses, basic ocular treatments, and consultation regarding ocular conditions. Eye clinics and "eye-care days” are held at several churches and community centers in Jordan, which have often been established to help meet the needs of Syrian, Iraqi, Sudanese, and Yemeni refugees and some local Jordanians.
In one year
175
patients seen each month receive eye exams, glasses fittings, and eye health education.
Expanding horizons through music
Music education demonstrates God’s love.
International Music and Arts develops future music teachers and creates youth development opportunities through general music classes, musical instrument classes, and classical concerts.
In one year
600
students experienced classical music instruction and music appreciation.
Serving librarians so that they can serve others
Global Reach Libraries
provides training + mentoring.
Global Reach Libraries works to see library users in underserved communities grow in imagination and curiosity, expanding their horizons and finding hope. We provide training, mentoring, and professional expertise to librarians so that they can maximize the impact of their libraries.
In one year
14
librarians enhanced their skills serving over 3,400 library patrons.
We’d love to have you join our family!
JOIN OUR WORK IN JORDAN
IDEAS is looking for expert professionals ready to serve. Our application process introduces you to IDEAS values and methodologies, matches your skills to IDEAS programs, and carefully walks you through steps to discover if you and IDEAS are a good fit.
APPLY
Complete application.
Initial conversation. Assessments.
Interview with leadership.
PREPARE
Create job description.
Develop budget.
Cross-cultural training begins.
JOIN YOUR TEAM
Book your plane ticket. Join your team.
On-site orientation.
Let’s go!!
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IDEAS works in multisector programs that serve local communities. Explore Jordan!
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Where we work
As of 2019, the surface of the Dead Sea is 430.5 metres below sea level, making its shores the lowest land-based elevation on Earth.
Helping individuals & communities flourish
Our Impact
21,780
Adults + children in Asia with no access to healthcare were treated in local clinics
1000+
Wheelchairs provided in Africa + Latin America, providing mobility for people & their families
1500+
Farmers & their communities in Central Asia received agricultural training
Celebrating removing barriers to dignity
Stories of Transformation
Alma was born in Guatemala with a disability called spina bifida. Unable to walk, she spent the first 14 years of her life isolated, locked in a room, confined to a bed or the floor. Her mother said she was a mistake. Her father said she was not his daughter. Alma wanted to go to school and have friends, but her disability made that impossible.