Queen Rania Visits “Save the Children’s” Khatawat Program

(Office of Her Majesty, Press Department- Amman) Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah visited the Parent Child Center at Abu Bakr Al Seddiek Park in Khraibet El Souq. The center operates as part of the “Khatawat” (Steps) program by “Save the Children”. During the visit Her Majesty was briefed about the different services that the center offers to children of the local community and was updated on Save the Children’s “Khatawat” Program.

Queen Rania was received by Mr. Salem Bkairat from Greater Amman Municipality and David Paulette Hassell, Co-Country Director of the Save the Children's offices in Jordan & Lebanon. Her Majesty was briefed by Mrs. Saba Mubaslat from Save the Children on the overall goal of “Khatawat” program.

Her Majesty stressed the significance of “Khatawat” program in enhancing early childhood development at both national and regional levels and in supporting the creation of a regional ECD strategy.

Her Majesty joined a group of mothers from the local community in a story-writing workshop; where the mothers are trained on how to develop an educational, recreational story scenario. In addition, they shown how to utilize and recycle materials available in their households into interactive learning tools for their children.

The Queen also joined a group of children aged 3-5 in their play area where different activities take place, such as painting and a puppet show.

Funded by the World Bank, “Khatawat” has been implemented since 2008 in partnership with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Social Development, and community-based organizations, and will continue until June 2011.

Save the Children’s “Khatawat” program helps provide increased access to protective, inclusive and participatory Early Childhood Care & Development (ECCD) services for vulnerable displaced Iraqi children and their Jordanian peers aged 3-6.

“Khatawat” promotes increased access to safe, child-centered learning environments for young children. Khatawat incorporates ‘Child Friendly Spaces’ and child protection concepts and approaches within a holistic, interactive kindergarten curriculum, which meets Ministry of Education’s Interactive National Curriculum criteria and international standards.

To date, the Program has helped equip and furnish 24 KG classrooms and a training hall in the Ministry of Education schools. The program has also renovated, equipped and furnished five Parent Child Centers (PCCs) in partnership with Greater Amman Municipality and Community Based Organizations.