Special Needs Support Volunteer Project in Jordan - Amman
Inspired to be a Special Needs Support volunteer in Jordan? International Volunteer HQ’s Special Needs Support project empowers volunteers to assist in centers for people with disabilities. There is still social stigma attached to disabilities in Jordan and families lacking adequate support often struggle to provide care. Volunteers can help by providing support and assistance so people with disabilities are able to get the kind of quality care and education that can improve and enrich their wellbeing and lives.
Highlights:
- Programs start every first and third Saturday of the month
- Affordable fees from $700 for 1 week
- Includes accommodation, meals, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
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Provide care and attention to children and adults with a range of disabilites
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Discover Jordan’s amazing desert landscapes
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Experience life in Amman by staying with a local family
Key information
This program is ideal for:
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
In Jordan, there are many families who are unable to properly care for their kin who have mental and physical disabilities. Disabilities are also stigmatized by society at large and this can prevent people from getting the kind of support they need.
Facilities providing individualized care and education make a huge difference to the lives of people living with disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. Volunteers are an important source of help and support for local staff and the people who use these facilities.
As a Special Needs Support volunteer you will assist at these centers providing vital support to disabled people and local staff. Volunteer duties often include:
- Running educational lessons
- Setting up games and activities
- Arts and crafts
- Tapestry
- Woodwork
Qualified and experienced volunteers can also help with treatment, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and rehabilitation.
Why do Special Needs Support volunteering in Amman with IVHQ?
When you volunteer with people who have disabilities in Jordan you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Improving access to care and education for people with disabilities
- Helping students develop life skills in a safe place
- Practicing your Arabic
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining experience working with disabled people
- Immersing yourself in Jordanian tradition and culture
- Discovering Jordan’s ancient history
Volunteer requirements
- Volunteers aged 16 - 17 years must be accompanied by an adult to participate in this program. Volunteers aged 18+ can take part independently.
- If you are under the age of 18 and not traveling with an adult, IVHQ offers alternative volunteer opportunities for teens traveling independently. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad page to learn more.
- All volunteers are required to speak fluent English, have adequate volunteer travel insurance and provide a criminal background check to IVHQ before departure.
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
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Jordan photo gallery
Academic course credit
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course credit”This experience taught me to be grateful for what I have and to be more generous and friendly. Being scared of the unknown is normal. Most people who experience this feeling let it consume them and prevent them from accomplishing things that are truly good for them, don't let this happen to you. If you choose to volunteer abroad you will meet amazing people, discover a country's culture, and make a real difference in the world.”
Kurt, Canadian, 19
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Location
Jordan’s capital city Amman is considered one of the most modern Arab cities in the Middle East and in recent years has become a popular tourist destination due to its rich history and stability within the region. Amman is the biggest city in Jordan, and is also its economic, cultural and political hub.
IVHQ’s Jordan program provides an amazing opportunity for you to volunteer in the Middle East and safely experience a unique place with ancient attractions such as the famous archaeological site of Petra where buildings were carved into the pink cliffs thousands of years ago, the breath-taking and extremely salty lake that is the Dead Sea and the spectacular and moon-like desert of Wadi Rum.
Volunteer placements are located in and around Amman and nearby Madaba. By choosing to volunteer in Jordan, you’ll be supporting community-led projects that focus on providing opportunities to improve the livelihoods and wellbeing of the people that call Jordan home.
Arrival and orientation
The Jordan volunteer program begins on the first and third Saturday of every month. You need to arrive in Amman on the Friday before your chosen start date.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Queen Alia International Airport (AMM). The cost of your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee.
When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and taken to the volunteer accommodation, a 45 minute drive away. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.
If you are traveling in Jordan prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up from a meeting point in central Amman on the Friday before your program start date.
On Saturday, orientation is hosted by our local team in Amman and runs for a full day. Orientation covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Jordan – an introduction to Jordan, Jordanian customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities in Jordan, and an introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.
Volunteer schedule example
First day
On your first day of volunteering, you will be escorted to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff.
Weekdays
You may have a morning or afternoon shift, or both, and can expect to work a minimum of 3 hours, Sunday through Thursday. A typical daily schedule would be as follows:
| 8:00 AM | Breakfast at the volunteer homestay. |
| 9:00 AM | Volunteers with a morning shift travel to placement to join local staff and begin work on your project. |
| 12:00 - 2:30 PM | Lunch is served at the homestay. |
| 2:30 PM | Volunteers with an afternoon or evening shift travel to placement to join local staff and begin work on your project. |
| 7:30 - 9:00 PM | Dinner at the volunteer homestay. After dinner you will have the remainder of the evening free to relax and use as you wish. |
Weekends
The Jordan work week runs from Sunday to Thursday, with Fridays and Saturdays free. During the weekends, volunteers have spare time to relax or explore other parts of Amman and Jordan. Amman is home to many ancient ruins including the Roman Amphitheater and Citadel, as well as traditional eateries, shops and markets.
Some incredible bucket list attractions lie further afield, so make sure you set aside time to travel to the Dead Sea, Mount Nebo, Wadi Rum, and one of the New Wonders of the World; the ancient city of Petra. With so much on offer, it’s a great idea to plan and book some excursions to these sites through IVHQ in advance. Please contact us for more information or contact your IVHQ Program Manager to secure your booking for these unique Jordan experiences.
Accommodation and WiFi
You’ll be hosted in a homestay where you’ll live with a local family. It is an exciting chance to learn the Jordanian way of life, meet local people, eat local food, speak the local language and engage in local customs and traditions. These families receive money from your program fee for support, food and board. This is an opportunity for you to directly see your volunteer fees having a positive impact in the community and going back into the local economy.
Living is basic yet comfortable, and all homestays have electricity and running water. Volunteers can expect to share a room with other volunteers of the same gender, however in some homestays volunteers have their own rooms. Bedding is provided, but it is recommended that you bring your own sleeping bag if you wish to travel on the weekends, along with a towel and toiletries.
WiFi is available in all of the homestays in Jordan. To keep connected when out and about, you can also purchase a local SIM card with data for an unlocked mobile phone. The local team can assist you with this.
Meals
Volunteers are provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, with all meals served at your homestay. Breakfast and dinners tend to be smaller portions with mixed platters including falafel, dips, bread, eggs, fresh fruit and vegetables. Lunches are the bigger meal of the three, and can include a range of meats, breads, rice dishes, salads and vegetables.
Bottled water is readily available in Jordan and volunteers should budget approximately $5 (approximately $5) a week for two liters a day. If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know when you apply for the program so we can make arrangements for you.
Pricing
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 1 week | $700 Equivalent to $100/day |
| 2 weeks | $1,010 Equivalent to $72/day |
| 3 weeks | $1,350 Equivalent to $64/day |
| 4 weeks | $1,690 Equivalent to $60/day |
| 5 weeks | $2,030 Equivalent to $58/day |
| 6 weeks | $2,370 Equivalent to $56/day |
| 8 weeks | $3,050 Equivalent to $54/day |
| 10 weeks | $3,730 Equivalent to $53/day |
| 12 weeks | $4,410 Equivalent to $53/day |
- Accommodation
- Meals
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Airport pick-up
- Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Discounts on language lessons
- Discounts on travel and tour add-ons
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately $329) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check, public transport to and from your placement each day and return to the airport when your program finishes.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Jordan generally find US$50 to be sufficient for basic weekly expenses.
Recommended activity & tour add-ons
The Jordan work week runs from Sunday to Thursday, with Fridays and Saturdays free. During the weekends, volunteers have spare time to relax or explore other parts of Amman and Jordan. Amman is home to many ancient ruins including the Roman Amphitheater and Citadel, as well as traditional eateries, shops and markets.
Some incredible bucket list attractions lie further afield, so make sure you set aside time to travel to the Dead Sea, Mount Nebo, Wadi Rum, and one of the New Wonders of the World; the ancient city of Petra. With so much on offer, it’s a great idea to plan and book some excursions through IVHQ in advance. We can facilitate visits to some of the more popular options:
Spend the day exploring Mount Nebo, mentioned in the Hebrew Bible as the place where Moses was granted a view of the Promised Land, and enjoy lunch while visiting the Dead Sea.
Experience a 1-day road trip around the incredible archaeological sites of North Jordan, including Umm Qais, Golan Heights, Ajloun Castle and Jerash. This is an all-inclusive road trip where you will learn about the geopolitical site of Golan Heights and also visit many ancient ruins alongside a local guide.
You will visit the baptism site of Jesus Christ and then head to The Ma’in Hot Springs, also known as Hammamat Ma’in, which are a series of hot mineral springs and waterfalls in the desert where you can choose to go in or just watch the waterfalls.
Experience a 2-day road trip around South Jordan where you will get to visit Wadi Rum, a protected desert in southern Jordan, and Petra, a historical and archaeological city in southern Jordan.
Experience a 3-day road trip around South Jordan where you will get to visit Wadi Rum, a protected desert in southern Jordan, Petra which is a historical and archaeological city in southern Jordan and Aqaba.
How to book IVHQ’s recommended add-ons:
When you apply for an IVHQ volunteer program, make a note of which tours and add-ons you’re interested in on your application form so we can check availability and prices for you.
Once you’ve paid your registration fee, your Program Manager will be able to book your place on the tour(s) you have chosen and help you organize your trip.
Affordable Arabic Language Lessons
We recommend volunteers take advantage of the very affordable Arabic lessons offered exclusively to IVHQ volunteers by our local team in Jordan.
The lesson times will be arranged outside of your volunteer hours and are taught by professional Arabic teachers. Volunteers find these lessons help immensely with your day to day volunteer work and communicating with local people while in Jordan.
- 10 hour package = $275 (approximately $275)
- 20 hour package = $535 (approximately $535)
- 30 hour package = $795 (approximately $795)
- 40 hour package = $1055 (approximately $1055)
These language lessons can be booked through your IVHQ Program Manager once you have registered for the program and will be tailored to your current level of Arabic. Please contact us for further information.
Check what's required to visit Jordan
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Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
| Capital | Amman |
| Population | 9.702 Million |
| Languages | Arabic |
| Currency | Jordanian dinar (JOD) |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
Weather and climate
Jordan can be divided into three climatic regions. The Jordan Valley, which runs from Southern Turkey to the Red Sea in South Jordan; the Mountain Heights Plateau, which separates the Jordan Valley and plains of the eastern desert; and the Badia Region which makes up 75% of Jordan and is a desert area in the eastern part of the country.
The volunteer program in Amman lies on the East Bank Plateau in the Mountain Heights; Temperatures range from 38°F to 52°F (3°C to 11°C) in the cool season, from November to April, and 67°F to 89°F (19°C to 31°C) in the hot season, from May to October.
