Zikra Initiative’s Profile

About Me

When Zikra was launched it was a charity drive, Rabee had learned about a “dusty community” discriminated against because of their skin color. They had been taken advantage of by loan sharks and now couldn’t pay the loans back. So their land was taken away. This community doesn’t have high positions in government. Zikra mainly donated household items and camp food at first. After awhile it started feeling awkward, it created a giver/receiver relationship, as if we the givers were the heroes. In reality we were learning a lot from this community. As a city-man I was not exposed to my traditions or roots as much. I started to see how rich “poor” people were and how poor “rich” people were. Each community has their own deficiency. One was rich in culture and tradition while the other had financial security. That was when Zikra changed into an exchange concept.

Amman is full of influential people, it has become very westernized, and we don’t really know the country. They are ministers, they are the future of country – yet don’t know country, its people, or the roots and traditions that have shaped Jordan. I wanted them to visit the rural areas without them being the heroes and going to “save” the area and community. Rural communities have just as much to give and teach, it is an equal relationship.

-Excerpt from an interview with Off the Radar

Exchange tourism helps support other programs and socio-economic development. One way is by providing micr-loans. The loans are paid back each month without interest. Instead, micro-loan beneficiaries must participate in community projects and events, thereby encouraging civic engagement. Since the micro-loan program was launched, members of the community no longer approach Zikra for charities, rather they request for micro-loans, realizing its long-term sustainability.

So far, Zikra has created education and entrepreneurship funds.

Zikra also supports the arts - community members not only conduct workshops but attend workshops conducted by foreigners to stir and stimulate creative thought.

Other programs Zikra focuses on are educational health and environmental awareness programs.

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