Jordan
Our Agricultural Cooperation for Development (AC4D) project in Jordan, is working within communities to support farmers with cost-effective technologies to aid in the management of the most pressing issues in the smallholder agriculture in the Middle East.
Over the last two years two young farmers have been using the strategy of “active deferment” on low cost and highly saline land to bring that land previously unusable land into productive use for bananas and dates.
These young men are unique due to the fact that they are YOUNG, a rarity in a profession whose average age is over 60 across the globe. Their very public and very successful trials have loaned a lot of credibility to our farmer support program by demonstrating to all of the small farmers around them that the use of our deferment technique can be economically beneficial in situations not managed by foreigners and backed by foreign investment and expertise.
Schooling Requires Cooperation
Adnan loves school. His mother smiles with pride and says to the Operation Mercy team, “Every day he wants to go to school.” Naturally gifted with a friendly and bold personality,
A Flower and a Dinar
Ahmed holds dear the opportunity he has to illustrate to the participants their worth in the eyes of their Creator.
An Event for Mothers
“This is for me?” One of the ladies asked, looking at the beautiful hand-held mirror she just decorated. Her question is perhaps not surprising. For these village women,
Community Health Advocates’ Training
Izzy was one of seven young women who completed our 6 month CHA pilot program. We selected women who had few opportunities in life. Some hadn’t finished school.
Investing in the Future
There are new sounds coming from the centre these days.
From Desert Diesel Tank to Fertile Market Garden
10 years into the Syrian conflict, people remain resilient for their children’s sake, and they still hope to go home even if they can’t imagine how that will work out.
Innovation and creativity are key!
Innovation and creative marketing are a key (and necessary) component of young farmers in Jordan
An Exercise Programme For Women
At the end of 2024, we ran a six week exercise program for Jordanian and Syrian women in Zarqa. The women who attended hadn’t had any connection with Operation Mercy in the past.
Farming in the Jordan Valley
The biggest challenges facing agriculture today are climate change, soil degradation or excessive salinity in the soil, water scarcity, pests and diseases, and the need to ensure food security for a growing population.
Sing Hello
“Fahid, it is your turn to sing!” Our volunteers encourage and then, with a little bit of prompting, Fahid begins to sing for us.
New Horizons
The view of the horizon from the CBR window is changing. As new life sprouts up and lurches forward around the CBR Center and throughout the villages,
Each Child is Valuable
“I’ve learnt from you that each child is created by God and valuable, and I want to do my best to love and raise her like you would” she said
Professional and Interpersonal Development
“The people here stood with me,” says Om Waleed*, recounting her young daughter’s need for surgery. “Even though my family is all the way in Syria,
Change Impacts Relationships and Community
This man speaks of the dynamic relational and inner life that develops when participants move through Keystone’s 3-to-6-month training.
Visits to Farms
Our Agricultural Cooperation for Development (AC4D) project in Jordan is working within communities to support farmers with immediately adoptable and cost-effective technologies to aid in to management of the most pressing issues in smallholder agriculture in the Middle East.
Walking Through Challenges Together
“Everyone has faced different challenges in their lives,” Hamza says. “If one of us cannot walk through one of these challenges, a [fellow] participant can help him overcome this challenge.
Saiid’s Smile
Saiid was beaming, a grin splitting his face from ear to ear. Not only was his house finished to the point that he and his family could start living in it,
Heart Surgery Saves Grandfather
In our Operation Mercy Community Health clinics in Jordan, we screen patients who need diagnostic tests and specialist follow up.
Shoulder to Shoulder
“Before,” shares Hamza, “my relationships were limited. Now, in the project, my relationships grow and grow.”
Stronger Men, Stronger Families
The Keystone Project consists of an initial 3-month long project cycle, in which a group of 15-25 male participants meet 2 times per week for 1.5-hour sessions.