Jordan: Community service provides opportunities, gives hope

Community service is a new concept in Jordan

Despite decreasing juvenile crime numbers, Jordan is still battling high levels of child offence and misdemeanor. While the Convention on the Rights of the Child prescribes that detention and arrests should be last-resort measures, the practice of using non-custodial sentences as alternatives to post-trial detention in Jordan is relatively new. Through the joint memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Social Development, LWF Jordan joins early the effort to uphold juvenile rights by promoting and providing community service opportunities.

“Replacing the limitation of freedom with community service is the most effective alternative for youth that governments and societies should invest in. Our community centers offer a safe environment, where adolescents are protected from the dangers of negative mindsets and thinking that may lead to consequences such as addiction and violence,” says Nirmeen Saadeh, LWF Jordan's protection focal point.

Our community centers offer a safe environment, where adolescents are protected from the dangers of negative mindsets and thinking that may lead to consequences such as addiction and violence

Nirmeen SAADEH, LWF Jordan's protection focal point

Psychosocial supports and training

Last month, the “Aman” Community Center in Zarqa received its first case, a young man. His case management plan included twenty hours of psychosocial support sessions and volunteer work experience at the ‘Darzet Aman’ boutique. Volunteering at the boutique allowed him to develop his sales, communication and social skills.

More importantly, the young man was so excited to realize that there was a safe community space in his neighborhood catering to the needs of youth, that he brought two of his close friends to the center. LWF’s staff is now developing a plan for all three youngsters to be involved in skills-developing creative activities, such as ceramics workshops and sessions raising awareness about important issues prevalent in the community.

LWF Jordan works with the youth and their families to address multiple risk factors at all levels in a child-friendly and safe social environment. Upon referral by the court and the behavior monitor, the young person and their family are provided with complete case management and psychosocial support services to identify their specific needs. After an introductory session, the adolescent also participates in different educational activities that help them develop their skills and benefit the local community.

"All the cases referred to us are treated in full confidentiality, in line with the national laws and international protection and safeguarding standards, and to protect the youth from being stigmatized by the community, which may trigger future risky behavior,"  Saadeh concludes.

“This accreditation is a new responsibility, but it is also an acknowledgment and a recognition of the work LWF does in Jordan, and the partnership we have with the Jordanian government”, says Caroline Tveoy, LWF Regional Program Coordinator for the Middle East.

The work of LWF Jordan in the “Aman” community centres in Irbid and Zarqa is supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Act Church of Sweden, and the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren.