Noel Hentschel (in blue) meets with women from the Iraqi community and Huda Hakki, Director of ZENID. 

 

The main clients for these creativity and empowerment projects are vulnerable Jordanians, girls at risk and displaced Iraqis living in Amman.  For project details click here   During her visit,  visited the  Queen Zein al Sharaf Institute for Development  (ZENID) in Hashemi Shamali , where she met with some of the  Iraqis who are participants on training, and with staff who attended arts therapy training and who apply these skills in their work.  She also met with young people who are setting up a mentorship programme to help excluded youth to integrate into their communities.

 Ms Hentschel also met with the JOHUD team based at Beit al Bawadi, where they discussed the challenges of handicraft production as a livelihood strategy for vulnerable groups.

The Noel Foundation was founded in 1989 by businesswoman, Noel Irwin Hentschel. Inspired by working with Mother Teresa, she established the Foundation to create and fund projects to "help those most in need to help themselves", focusing on women and children.  

 

The Noel Foundation has long been a partner with JOHUD, providing financial support  for empowerment projects. This project responds to the dire need of those who have been badly affected by conflict in the region, and who are in need of skilled help to deal with the aftermath of trauma, violence and abuse.

 

 Speaking about her visit, Ms Hentschel said that she found the meetings with Iraqi women 'inspiring'. "When I met with the women, I could see that many of the problems they face are related to policy decisions made by the agencies that are providing services. These are  issues that I can also take up when back in the US - advocacy plays an important role."

 

Ms Hentschel also confirmed her commitment to support the next phase of the creativity and empowerment project that JOHUD implements with vulnerable groups.