In Jordan, Step Together strengthens protection, education and health services

Funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), Step Together has expanded access to protection, education and healthcare for thousands of refugees and Jordanian citizens across six governorates.

Fondazione AVSI, in partnership with Terre des Hommes Italy and with funding from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, implemented LE NAKHTO MA'AN – STEP TOGETHER, a multi‑sectoral intervention active from 2024 to 2025 in the governorates of Mafraq, Rihab, Zarqa, Ma’an, Aqaba and Gweirah.
The project strengthened community‑based protection systems, expanded access to education and health services, and supported the participation of the most vulnerable communities, both Jordanian and refugee.

In southern Jordan, Step Together improved access to healthcare through local clinics, home visits and a mobile unit that allowed medical staff to reach isolated villages.

In Gweirah, Dr. Nael Khateeb, head of the local health center, explains the impact of the new mobile unit:
“The Gweirah center serves around 4,000 people. Thanks to the vehicle provided by AVSI, we can reach four surrounding villages and offer services much more effectively.”

Through these activities, more than 7,100 people received maternal and child healthcare, pediatric services and basic treatments.

In parallel, Step Together carried out awareness sessions on personal hygiene and distributed dignity kits containing essential items for families.
One participant described how useful these initiatives were: “The session on personal hygiene was very useful, and the dignity kits contained items our families really needed.”

Many children in Jordan live in families facing emotional difficulties, where there is often no safe space to express themselves or talk about their feelings.
For this reason, Step Together trained teachers and non‑formal educators—including a group of mothers—providing tools to identify signs of distress and to support children with greater sensitivity.

Among the tools used were drawing and art therapy. A teacher explains what she learned: “Every student has a different need. Some need more affection, others need support to compensate for something they lack. Now I can understand much better what each child truly needs.”

Thanks to these interventions, more than 1,100 people received psychosocial support and protection services.

The project supported 259 children with remedial education, strengthening not only their school performance but also their confidence and interpersonal relationships.

Sameera, one of the students involved, shares: “It helped me a lot at school. I met people of different ages and learned how to relate to each of them. This will help me in the future.”

The training provided to 43 teachers, healthcare staff and social workers helped create more inclusive learning environments, better equipped to respond to students’ needs.

In the governorate of Zarqa, sport—especially football—was used as a tool to strengthen children’s self‑confidence and participation, involving girls and boys aged 6 to 15.
Manal Samir, one of the coaches, explains: “I use football as a tool to strengthen a child’s confidence, physical abilities and team spirit.”

For many children, these activities created a safe space to integrate into the group and build confidence in their abilities.

Activities for young people used digital tools to amplify their voices.
Through workshops and creative initiatives, participants learned not only technical skills but also how to use online tools to tell the story of their community, strengthen relationships and build more positive connections with their peers.

One young participant sums up the experience: “Meeting different people and learning how to communicate with each of them changed how I see others. It helped me grow.”

The project supported the creation of six community groups, involving 224 members, engaged in disseminating protection messages, supporting vulnerable families and promoting local initiatives.