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IICO implemented 1,300 community development projects in Jordan, benefiting 1,300 families (7,000 persons) at a cost exceeding 600,000 Jordanian Dinar given in interest free loans (Qard Hasan), with a 97% repayment of the total loans. The per capita share amounted 76 Jordanian Dinar.
The community development projects covered varied range of activities, such as goat and cow breeding, poultry farming, perfume and cleaning materials manufacturing, needle works, restaurants, groceries, milk and dairy products shops, radio and television repairing, stationary shops, weaving and readymade garments trading, flower shops, used furniture and construction material supply, besides providing training to school dropouts.
After returning from Jordanian capital, Amman, where he inspected IICO projects, the specialist of the first development and productive project, Engineer Hasan Abdulghani, said IICO was willing to increase the number of its development projects in Jordan in the coming year.
He added that the calculation of revenues from these projects and assessment of their impact on the community showed that the Jordanian experience was a big success as far as community development and productive families were concerned. He attributed it to the interest of the concerned authorities in such projects in all sectors of the kingdom, particularly IICO office in camps.
He pointed out that these projects made big impact on surrounding community, helping create job opportunities and improving the living standards of the families besides enhancing their income, thus providing them a respectful life. It’s expected that the income generated from these projects will further improve.
Mr. Abdulghani expressed his hope to repeat the experience in many countries, wishing to implement more such projects that help the Muslim cease from extending the hand of begging, as such projects conform to IICO slogan of «give him an axe» and «together, the beggar should never beg gain.» In this context, he highlighted several successful experiences.
One of such success stories is the story of a woman who made use of a simple loan. She converted a portion of her house to make perfumes and sell them. The woman, belonging to Al-Baq’a camp, said she started her project in 2007 with a small amount of $400 after all her efforts to get interest-based loans from the bank failed. She approached IICO office which approved the loan for her, protecting her from dealing in interest-based loan by the grace of Allah. Now, she can’t believe the progress she has made in her business, which enabled her to lead a life of respect and happiness. At the same time, she is enjoying her work which she has perfected, having big impact on the life of her family.
Lewa Ain Al-Basha, another woman from the Al-Baq’a camp itself, narrates her experience. Before receiving the assistance from IICO, her family income was not enough to fulfill the family requirements. Her income was generated from garments embroidery works and selling or renting out the costumes. When she got IICO loan, she procured the necessary raw material and expanded her work, increasing the production. She added new products such as tailoring and embroidery of the Holy Quran covers. She further says that the revenue from her project is around 70 Jordanian Dinar, which goes up in the season of weddings. The project has helped her manage household expenses, finance the education of her children, and she was able to repay the loan of $700 within ten months.
One of the beneficiaries, coming from Sauf/Jarash camp, says he used to work as a truck driver. However, he lost one of his arms in a road accident. As a result, he could not drive vehicles anymore. He became dependent on a symbolic assistance from the concerned authorities which was not enough to fulfill his requirements. Having come to know about the community development project of IICO, he applied for the assistance and was given a loan of $700. He converted a room of his house into a grocery shop. Now his condition has remarkably changed and he can afford the expenses of his treatment and household expenditure, living a respectful life. He hides lot of respect and appreciation for IICO for running such projects that look small, but have great impact.
Another beneficiary from the same camp narrates his experience, saying he never imagined that IICO loan of $700 would transform his life. He used this amount to further develop his work of purchasing, repairing and selling radio and television sets and spare parts. His monthly net profit varies between 150-200 Jordanian Dinar. The project has positive impact on his family.
In the same context, another beneficiary, belonging to Sauf camp in Jarash area, says that earlier he used to deal in old furniture by selling them out after repairing them inside the camp, outside it and also in Irbed city. However, with the help of loan availed from IICO, he expanded his business which now generates an income of 200-250 Jordanian Dinars. Now, he is in a position to pay his daughter>s college fees and the expenses of his son>s treatment.
In Kafr A’wan/Liwa’ el-Kora of Irbid governorate, a person, who takes care of his family and has recently got married, says that with $1,100 loan he purchased an ice-cream making machine which he puts besides his juice shop. This machine has helped him much and now he can respectfully walk in the society.
One of such projects is quite interesting. A woman of Romanian origin exploited her hobby of creating art works on cloth. After the death of her husband, she was the sole bread winner for her family marketing her art works that attracted lot of interest and customers. The loan provided by IICO greatly contributed towards the expansion of her works, boosting the sales and encouraging her to put in more efforts. Now, she is running her family and thanks IICO for the support.
Another woman, who used to prepare fast-food called Al-Maftool, took the loan of $450. She procured the necessary equipments and raw materials required and started her working with the help of her children, who deliver the orders received from nearby offices and government departments. It helped her improve her living standard and take care of her family.
A widow, who has been dealing in readymade garments for 11 years selling them in the adjoining villages on installments, availed the IICO loan to expand her business. As a result, she financed the education of her three daughters who graduated from engineering and science colleges, with the last obtaining a bachelor’s degree in commerce. Now, she is happy with her life and prays for IICO and donors.
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