Queen Rania Visits "I Learn" Initiative in Jerash

(Office of Her Majesty – Press Department – Amman) - Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah visited the nonprofit initiative, ‘I Learn Jo: Space for Knowledge’ on Tuesday at the Jerash Visitor Center.

I Learn founder, Saddam Sayyaleh, and the initiative’s team members briefed the Queen on the establishment of I Learn, its achievements, and future plans.

Established in 2014, I Learn employs a community-based approach to empower youth and children in various Jordanian communities, and is currently operational in Jerash, Zarqa, Balqa, and Amman. Through informal education, and supported by youth volunteers and global partnerships, the initiative aims to establish safe learning spaces for Jordanian children that encourage innovation, intellectual growth, and critical thinking.

Addressing Sayyaleh and his team, Her Majesty expressed pride in their accomplishments, and told them that innovative solutions stem from community-based efforts.

During the visit, Queen Rania also stopped by a number of I Learn sessions that were taking place, including an art class, a little paramedic workshop, and a programming class.

The initiative works on connecting youth to educators in order to identify current and potential student dropouts, and allow them to jointly create remedial and prevention programs to deal with these cases. Additionally, it aims to invest in youth volunteers and devise programs that build their skills and prepare them for the job market.

I Learn focuses on three main programs: youth support, child development, and community engagement. Youth support relies on consultations with local youth to help identify their needs and develop customized programs to realize those needs. Child development uses art, recreational activities, and academic support to develop children’s self-esteem and creative capabilities. Lastly, community engagement aims to work with the community to create safe and attractive learning spaces for children and youth. 

Currently, I Learn has a partnership with Edvise ME, a Jordanian advisory consulting firm, and is receiving support from the Swiss-based foundation, Drosos. The nonprofit has reached over 10,000 Jordanians, including 2,200 children, 3,700 youth, and 5,100 community members.

Sayyaleh began pursuing social work upon travelling to India and volunteering at a non-profit organization there. His experiences inspired him to established I Learn in order to empower Jordanian children. Sayyaleh is also an alumni of the Swedish Institute and a member of UNESO Youth.