Improving the quality of lives of people with disabilities
Project Background
It is estimated that about 13% of the population of Jordan suffers from one or more types of disability, the majority of whom are children who are forced to stay home and are isolated from society due to the difficulty to accommodate their needs. Little to no professional assistance, in addition to structural support, is given to these important members of society, confining individuals and whole families to their isolated situation and excluding them from society.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem established the Our Lady of Peace Center in Jordan in 2004 in response to the high percentage of individuals with disabilities who were unable to obtain services from public centers, comprehensively serving persons with disabilities free of charge and including providing rehabilitation and special education. To this day, the center remains one of the few centers to provide high-quality rehabilitation services to people with disabilities free of charge in Jordan. Almost three months ago, the OLOPC got the golden recognition certificate from the government which reflects the quality of services provided to the people.
With great pride, the center practices the Christian faith and provides quality services in a loving environment to all who require assistance, regardless of their religious, social, or financial backgrounds, and no matter their nationality (considering the high number of those with disabilities are refugees from Syria and Iraq).
The center has gained a positive reputation within the community, strongly collaborating with the Higher Council for the rights of Persons with Disabilities, Jordan University, and vocational training organizations to provide staff and administration with opportunities to develop their skills, reaching an international standard of support.
The center began with a main headquarters for people with disabilities to visit, and receive their services, however, various branches were established in order to reach those in remote areas of the country, with no-less need for support and assistance. Four branches are operating in Jordan (Aqaba, Anjara, Azzarqa, Al Mafraq) with a total of 34 employees working to provide physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, early intervention, prosthesis and orthosis, and special education for children with down syndrome, mental disability, and autism.
Serving nearly 1,000 people with disabilities within all branches annually, the center’s main branch in Amman has successfully provided 644 free consultancy sessions per month for the past 16 years, while the remote branches have been able to offer a combined 660 free sessions per month.
Additionally, the center provides 19 opportunities for people with disabilities to work, increasing self-confidence as well as emphasizing the many roles and responsibilities these individuals can play within the society, advocating for their rights and raising awareness on the topic of disability within the society.
In addition to the rehabilitation services, the OLOPC offers a wide range of treatments for people with arthritis, various joints problems, muscle disorders, and nerve conditions to reduce and relieve sudden or long-lasting aching and help in managing the pain of children with cerebral palsy (a disability which prevents a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture). The prevalence of Autism is another challenge for the center where it continues to provide specialized therapies.
How can you help?
Through your small to medium sized donations, you will help to maintain the Center’s services and contribute towards its social outreach program.
The center has to cover the service providers’ costs, rehabilitation professionals’ fees, utilities expenses, electricity, water, transportation, communication, supplies, maintenance and other operational costs. The Total required budget for operating the four branches’ ranges from 480,000 to 500,000 USD per year.