Jordan Daily – SOS Children’s Villages Jordan inaugurated the newly renovated SOS Children’s Village in Aqaba on Wednesday, transforming it into an integrated social development center aimed at supporting children without parental care and empowering families in southern Jordan.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Assistant Governor Sultan Hassan, and attended by national and international partners. The event marked the completion of the first phase of the renovation, which seeks to enhance the village’s role in offering a broad range of social services.
Chairman of SOS Children’s Villages Jordan, Mustafa AlWishah, said the renovation is part of a new model for delivering social services, with a focus on mental health support, shelter for domestic violence survivors, and empowerment programs for women and youth. Al Wishah also emphasized the project’s commitment to sustainability and its architectural design, which has won the prestigious Agha Khan Award for Architecture.
“This transformation represents a new chapter of positive change, filled with hope and opportunity,” AlWishah said, thanking key partners such as the Hermann Gmeiner Fund of Germany for their support.
Lanna Idriss, CEO of SOS Children’s Villages Worldwide, highlighted the significance of community development and women’s empowerment, pointing to the project’s focus on education, psychological support, and economic empowerment for vulnerable groups.
National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Jordan, Rana Al Zoubi, outlined the center’s expanded services, including mental health programs, educational initiatives for children and youth, and community training programs. The center will also provide safe homes for women and children, as well as introduce alternative care models tailored to the region’s needs, such as small group homes and family strengthening programs.
The event concluded with a presentation of a painting by artist Alia Tabbara, symbolizing the village’s future vision, followed by a tour of the renovated facilities.
The project is part of SOS Children’s Villages Jordan’s broader efforts to foster social and economic stability in southern Jordan and across the Kingdom.
