Queen checks on progress of Poverty Pockets Programme in Hamra village

Queen Rania on Tuesday paid a visit to the village of Hamra in the Hosha District of Mafraq Governorate to check on the progress of the Jordan River Foundation’s (JRF) Poverty Pockets Programme phase III. Her Majesty attended a meeting at the Hamra Social Development Society with representatives of the various charitable and cooperative societies operating in Hosha, youth communities and beneficiaries of a revolving loan programme, according to a statement released by the Queen's office. Expressing her pride in all the projects that were presented, the Queen noted that such ventures only succeed because of local community members' involvement in their implementation as they are the most qualified to assess their area’s challenges, needs and abilities. Her Majesty toured the society's facilities, stopping by two kindergarten classes furnished with special equipment provided by the JRF for students with disabilities, which can serve up to 30 children. She joined a group of mothers of children with learning disabilities for an open discussion about the importance of having such classes that benefit more than 200 students in the area, located around 80km northeast of Amman. During Tuesday's visit, the Queen also toured the Hamra Military Retirees Association's consumer market, where she was briefed by the head the association, Retd. Maj. Gen. Ali Al Khalid, on the situation of the market, as well as job opportunities and services the association provides to the local community. There are five charities in the area including Al Harsh Society, which offers revolving loans, implements a goat breeding project, and runs a centre that provides training on computer and Internet skills. In addition, the Hamra Association for People with Special Needs is implementing a beekeeping project and runs a computer centre, the statement said. Besides the consumer market, Poverty Pockets Programme projects implemented in the district include a productive kitchen at the Faa Social Development Society and a revolving loan programme conducted through the Hosha District Cooperative Society, which has so far benefited more than 50 individuals.