Opposite to Alshabieh neighborhood lies a small sized organization, but with great potentials. Noor Al Hussein Foundation (NHF) is a Jordanian foundation that supports the community by aiding the education, culture, children's welfare, family health and women. And therefore the Aqaba branch of NHF received a grant from USAID’S Aqaba Zone Economic Mobilization (AZEM) Project to support courses aiming to train the less fortunate people, to get a chance to improve themselves and give them a ray of hope towards their self-advancement.
USAID supported two major courses in NHF Aqaba; the International Computer Driving License (ICDL), and English language (Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced).
The foundation followed a selection criterion to choose the participants which has paid off in that only a small percentage of the participants didn't have full attendance and a high level of achievement as most of them benefited from the course in one way or the other.
Islam Alauna is a young lady that didn't have the chance to complete her education, she came from a less fortunate neighborhood. She participated in the English language course in the beginners' level. Islam didn't even know the ABCs, but the teacher saw a great potential in this young lady and started to work with her intensively, straight from kindergarten alphabet books. Soon she learned how to draw the letters. With persistence and impressive determination, Islam managed to complete the course successfully and was motivated to go back to school. She enrolled in the 10th grade exams, and now she is determined to go on and finish her high school. Islam says: "without this chance that NHF and AZEM Project gave me, I wouldn't have had the will and determination to reach this stage, and be able to read English books and go on to finish school."
Among other students, there were two taxi drivers who enrolled in the course. Their aim was to be able to communicate with tourists visiting Aqaba, and to try to have more work especially taking them to distant locations, so they can earn more.
The course attracted people at different levels; there were students with preparatory certificates, housewives, and even an MD who studied in Syria* and wanted to learn English to be able to deal with foreign patients.
The ICDL course is another story ranging from the funny to the serious. Many participants didn't know how to turn on a computer or even use a mouse. But after completing the course they gained the knowledge to use the computer and the software. Some are preparing to do the governmental exams to obtain the International computer Driving License certificate.
Majeda Ghazawi is a teacher who wasn't able to use the computer at all, but now she says "I'm very glad of what I learned, now I will be able to prepare tests and work sheets for my students using the computer. In the past I was hand writing everything, and I'm planning to prepare a program to enhance my students' learning abilities in the Arabic language".
Some people were promoted as a result of this course. This is what happened with Nisreen Ajouri after completing the course and now she is able to do her work faster and easier as she has to deal with goods and have to perform a monthly inventory check. "Now this process is much easier using the computer" she says.
Housewives took part as well; some wanted to enhance their skills while others took it with the Marketing course and hope to start their own business. Other ladies participated so that they will be able to help their school children.
"I'm a stay home mom of three children. I feel illiterate when my kids ask me to help them in their assignments using the computer. Now I'm able to help them and answer their questions. I feel good about myself and I'm even motivated to start looking for a job." Says Nida' Hamdan, a house wife participant.
Empowering and educating people are the cornerstones of building a successful social and economic environment. The difference that such grants make in the lives of people will make AZEM Project long remembered in Aqaba.
* Syrian universities teach all specializations in Arabic language.
