|
Mousab Khorma Youth Empowerment Fund |
|
|
|
The Mousab Khorma Youth Empowerment Fund (MKYEF) is one of the
cornerstone programs of Ruwwad and was created in remembrance of Mousab
Khorma, a Jordanian entrepreneur who was killed in the bombings which
took place in Amman in November 2005. Mousab was dedicated to
supporting and empowering under-served communities in Jordan and
Palestine and the Fund was created to honor his memory and carry a
message of hope to young people in the Arab world.
MKYEF currently provides 180 scholarships to young people in Jabal Al-Nathif where Ruwwad's pilot project is based and the surrounding communities. The program provides students with the following:
- Full or partial university and community college scholarships
- Internship opportunities at selected companies and organizations
- Training programs in English, IT and workplace skills
- Employment opportunities upon graduation
- Support for the purpose of starting their own business, developing a social entrepreneurship project or pursuing an artistic or creative ability
- Opportunities to volunteer and give back to their own communities
- A platform to discuss issues that are of concern and interest to them through a program of weekly meetings (Dardashat)
The scholarship is renewed on a semester-by-semester basis and the percentage of the fees that the students receives depends on a variety of factors including their financial situation, their grades and most importantly the amount of time and effort they give to their community through volunteer work.
"Ruwwad set up a fund to help students with financial difficulties like myself pay their university fees and continue their higher education. In return, I volunteer four hours of my free time per week in teaching a children's workshop. I teach the kids spelling, reading and writing. I am happy to have been given the chance to have a degree, and it's a pleasure for me to teach the children as I feel I can give something back to my community." Mohammed
"I like to come to Ruwwad on Saturday mornings to Dardashat, I try to come every Saturday no matter what else is going on at home – this is my special time for me! Through MKYEF, I have been privileged to be able to continue my university degree in Law. I love the workshops at the centre as I feel that it is my way of 'Paying it Forward' – have you seen that movie?" Sherihan
"I was part of a project called the Magic Carpet workshop in which I taught children from the ages of ten to sixteen a geography workshop – which was the most original way of learning this great topic. If you can instill a love for learning you are half way to ensuring that they will have better and richer lives, and will be able to surmount difficulties such as poverty, class or gender. You can give them a fighting chance for successful lives." Abdelqader
"I took part in a training program called ''Workshop Success" which was focused on interpersonal strengths and leadership. We learnt how to write a CV, how to take part in an interview with a prospective employer and how to contribute to meetings at the workplace. This workshop has helped me in my career as it has given me the confidence when I was searching for a job. I take a maths and physics workshop here at Ruwwad. I love it here, you really should come and try it, it's a wonderful experience every Jabal should have a place like this." Omar |
|
|
|
Communities 
