24 October 2023 – In Jordan, a country rich in history and diversity, a movement for change has been quietly growing, touching the lives of its most precious inhabitants – children. In a land where 6% of children aged 5–17 years have a mild to severe disability and 1% have an acute disability (1), a beacon of hope has emerged, casting a bright light on their futures. 

This is the story of how a nation, with the steady support of WHO, embarked on an inspiring journey to enhance the well-being of all children, of all abilities, through the power of social inclusion – always insisting on leaving no one behind.

Imagine a world where all children, regardless of their abilities, are embraced by the warmth of community and their potential nurtured with care. In Jordan, this has become a reality, thanks to a visionary partnership between the WHO Jordan Country Office and the Beit Al Liqa’ centre for children with disabilities. Their shared endeavour has its roots in the WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health and represents a commitment to holistic care.

The partners began by addressing lingering problems such as the delayed detection of developmental disorders and the lack of support for the caregivers who work so hard behind the scenes. To overcome the latter, which is a major challenge, WHO Jordan introduced caregiver skills training to the dedicated staff at Beit Al Liqa’. This transformative training has equipped caregivers with the knowledge to guide children through developmental challenges.

With the support of the Bernard van Leer Foundation and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), the journey continued. The caregivers at Beit Al Liqa’ were trained on psychosocial support, in line with WHO guidelines. A new playground – conceived with the support of AICS – was also created, providing a new space in which children of all abilities can play and interact, without barriers.

“Together with Beit Al Liqa’ and our partners, we’ve ignited a powerful spark of inclusion, lighting a new path for children in Jordan. No matter what their abilities, all children have the chance to shine brightly,” said Dr Jamela Al-Raiby, WHO Representative in Jordan. “This partnership is a symbol of unity, leading us towards a future where every child’s potential knows no limits.”

Children play football on the multipurpose playground constructed by WHO Jordan and partners for children of all abilities. Photo credit: WHO/ Abdelrahman Essa

Empowered by this newfound expertise and its improved facility, Beit Al Liqa’ unveiled an array of staff training programmes – on children’s pathways to empowerment, independence and self-discovery. These journeys encompassed a range of human potential, from communication and cognition to handcrafting. The impact of these initiatives was not confined to the centre; it seeped into the very fabric of the community, uplifting parents, educators and children alike.

The centre has since ushered in a new era of social inclusion – organizing shared experiences and community gatherings – to benefit every child, caregiver and community member.

---

1. UNICEF Jordan raises awareness of the rights of children with disabilities to access education in Zarqa.
UNICEF Jordan, press release, 24 January 2019.