At JOHUD, we believe that nobody should have to experience the fear of not knowing where their next meal will come from. Unfortunately, this is a reality facing far too many Jordanians, many of whom do not have access to the resources they need to unburden themselves of the yoke of poverty.
Since its establishment, JOHUD has provided immediate aid to those most in need. While the greatest emphasis is placed on strategies that promote long-term sustainable development, we recognise that the need for immediate, in-kind assistance will always be present for those who have become vulnerable due to factors outside their control – such as illness, loss of a breadwinner, or unemployment.
Emergency Assistance
JOHUD launched the Goodwill Campaign (GWC) in 1999 to break the cycle of poverty that has held prosperity just beyond the grasp of Jordan’s most vulnerable citizens. Through the GWC, JOHUD reaches out to people who are in desperate need and provides them with direct and immediate assistance and support. As community needs are identified, we equip our network of Community Development Centres (CDCs) with food packages, essential housing supplies, blankets, and clothing to ensure that emergency assistance reaches those who need it, when they need it, and where they need it, even in the most inaccessible areas.
Medical Assistance
No one should be forced to decide whether they can meet the expense of treating a loved one’s illness. As such, the provision of medical services is a central component of the GWC.
Hundreds of doctors and medical professionals volunteer their services to the GWC, providing free testing and prescriptions to thousands of people every year. These free medical evaluations have even led to the provision of more than one thousand pro-bono surgical procedures to those facing a range of serious medical conditions.
Private hospitals, the pharmaceutical industry, and medical supply companies also contribute to this effort by providing much-needed medical equipment and supplies. These donations have included wheelchairs, prostheses, hearing aids, and other tools that enable those enduring physical impediments to maintain their dignity and lead independent lives.
Long-term, Sustainable Support
Along with its immediate emergency support, the GWC implements sustainable development solutions for marginalised communities. These solutions include the provision of small project grants to poor families, which provide the money for the seeds, equipment, and materials needed to begin a business and earn a permanent income.
The GWC also champions the belief that poverty should not be an obstacle to education; in fact, education plays a fundamental role in increasing access to social mobility and economic opportunities that would have otherwise been unattainable for many in the community.
As such, the GWC offers scholarships to young people looking to further their education at the university level, and whose families do not have the financial means to support their academic pursuits. This opportunity enables youth who excel in their studies to develop the knowledge and the professionally-competitive skills that they will need to find lucrative employment in the future.
The Spirit of Helping Others
A key objective of the GWC is to promote a spirit of helping others. Thousands of people who value our humanitarian mission donate their money, time, and expertise in order to strengthen our campaign. Without the tireless commitment of our partners, whose generosity and dedication to the cause is unmatched, our mission would not have achieved the success it enjoys today.
Through our annual meetings with longstanding and prospective partners in the banking, medical, education, trade, government, and industrial sectors, we continue to improve the quality and number of services we can offer to those that need them most.
Empowering Poverty Pocket Areas in Jordan
In addition to the GWC, JOHUD is implementing a poverty alleviation initiative in cooperation with the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation. The initiative targets seven areas which have been identified as “Poverty Pockets”. These regions were selected by the Department of Statistics based on conclusions drawn from a 2008 income and expenditures survey conducted with families in the targeted areas.
The initiative aims to improve economic conditions and raise the standard of living for people living in “Poverty Pockets”, through enhancing participation and productivity, raising awareness, and providing loans for starting small businesses. The initiative features vocational training programmes designed to provide job opportunities, increase income, and improve the economic and social conditions that vulnerable residents face whilst living in these communities.