Siyaha Periodic Newsletter - Issue 8 February 2007

What?s New in Wadi Rum


Tourism Development in Wadi Rum continues to roll ahead in an unbroken flurry of activity. The five community-based organizations supported by Siyaha are building their capacities and developing their skills and products with each passing month. New partners are coming on board, undertaking related development projects in the area and providing donations. The latest partners or organizations taking up work in Wadi Rum or supporting its tourism development are as follows:
Microsoft Unlimited Potential ProgramSiyaha secured a donation from Microsoft of 18 software packages and user licenses for Microsoft Project to the five tourism CBOs in Wadi Rum. The value of the donated software is $16,525. Microsoft donates the latest software technology to eligible nonprofit organizations around the world. Microsoft's software donations are demand-driven, based on the requests of individual nonprofits to meet their organizational needs, and are often an integral part of a community-based technology training program. This software donation falls under Microsoft’s Unlimited Potential Program, a global initiative designed to help broaden digital inclusion and aid global workforce development by providing technology skills through community technology centers (CTCs).

Netcorps JordanThe “Wadi Rum IT Network” project, implemented by NetCorps Jordan, commenced last month in Wadi Rum. The year-long IT and community tourism development project aims to increase economic opportunities from tourism for local communities in the Wadi Rum area. This will be achieved by building the capacities of entrepreneurs and cooperatives by providing them with professional and business skills as well as information and communication technology (ICT) tools to enhance their performance, and provide and promote quality products and services.
Three IT centers, managed by NetCorps Jordan, will be established in Wadi Rum village, Disi Village and project will recruit and train 20 young men and women from the local community, who will be equipped to support IT and tourism development activities.
PUM (Netherlands Senior Experts)PUM is supporting development in Wadi Rum by sending experts and volunteers to work with CBOs on various projects that include developing solar power systems, camp operations, and work with youth and local community on awareness and empowerment.
PUM (Netherlands Senior Experts) was founded in The Hague (Netherlands), in 1978, as an initiative of the Confederation of the Netherlands Industries and Employers. For the past 26 years, PUM has sent senior experts to more than 85 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe. There are currently about 4000 senior experts in PUM’s database with 250 local representatives in the countries in which PUM is active, averaging about 1800 projects per year.
United Planet VolunteersUnited Planet is an international non-profit public educational charity with a mission to foster cross-cultural understanding and friendship, support communities in need, and promote social and economic prosperity among cultures. Through its United Planet Quest program, United Planet supports an enormous network of schools, NGOs, orphanages, hospitals, community development projects, and more to provide essential volunteers, conduct special projects, and foster global understanding.
This summer, a Jordan Quest will see ten volunteers visit Wadi Rum in July to support Siyaha tourism awareness sessions, provide English language training, and assist with work to renovate CBO facilities.

VTCThe Aqaba Vocational Training Center generously donated ceramic productions equipment and raw materials to the Diesseh CBO for their ceramic workshop, which are valued at approximately JD6,500.

These partners and their activities are significant in helping the Wadi Rum CBOs and entrepreneurs build their capacities, improve operations, upgrade their products and services, involve youth and women, and generally turn Wadi Rum into a world-class destination.