Under the shade of towering pine trees in the Zarqa River basin of Jordan, a group of young people gather to celebrate the opening of two new hiking trails.
This is peacebuilding.
The hiking trails, an initiative led by youth ages 16-20, are the work of The Nature Club, which connects young people to the outdoors, helps them to develop practical life skills, and improves psychological and social well-being. Learn more about Mercy Corps’ support for The Nature Club in this recent web article.
Mercy Corps supports the work of The Nature Club as part of our approach to meeting people’s emotional, psychological, and physical needs in Jordan, which has a large population of refugees from the Syrian civil war — and a 36% youth unemployment rate.
The Nature Club supports young people in a period of their lives where they are faced with making key life decisions that can impact the trajectory of their future. Led by specialized Mercy Corps staff, this program has used hiking and rock climbing to teach nearly 220 Jordanian and Syrian young people how to manage profound stress and build personal resilience.
A Nature Club participant explains one of the nature conservation principles posted along the new hiking trails.
Dalia Ajweh, Mercy Corps Psychosocial Support Specialist in Jordan, explained just what opportunities like The Nature Club can mean for young people affected by violence:
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"Initiatives like these provide a semblance of control in lives where many aspects are beyond their influence. It empowers them to take charge, fostering a sense of agency and resilience." |
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As young people find ways to stay engaged in their communities and manage stress in uncertain times, they become better able to handle the challenges of daily life in an increasingly changing world.
While violent conflict is increasing in many parts of the world, Mercy Corps is supporting locally-led projects to build peace and provide comprehensive support to people affected by violent conflict. From Jordan to Nigeria to Uganda, we’re working in partnership with communities to build more peaceful tomorrows.
Thank you for being part of our mission to build a brighter future for all.
Sincerely,
The Mercy Corps Team
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