Special Needs Care Volunteer Program in Jordan

The IVHQ Jordan volunteer program is based in the capital city of Amman, a progressive hub in central Jordan. The IVHQ program provides an amazing opportunity for you to volunteer in the Middle East and experience a place that’s high up on every traveler’s bucket list, with attractions such as Petra, the Dead Sea and Wadi Rum. Amman is the biggest city in Jordan, and is also its economic, cultural and political hub. Amman is considered one of the most modern Arab cities, and in recent years has become a popular tourist destination due to its rich history and stability within the region. This is where orientation and general administration is carried out by our local team.

Volunteer placements are located in and around Amman and 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.

Volunteer programs in Jordan start on the first and third Saturday of every month. Volunteers can choose to volunteer for between one to twelve weeks.

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 transported to the volunteer accommodation, which is about a 45 minute drive. 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 – introduction to Jordan, Jordanian customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities in Jordan, and 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.

​A volunteer day is subject to change depending on your specific project and placement. ​A typical daily schedule​ might 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.

Please note, schedules will vary depending on the needs of your particular project as well as your host family’s lifestyle.

Volunteers are accommodated in a homestay where you will live with a local family and other volunteers. 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 effect in the community and going back into the local economy.

It is an exciting opportunity to stay with a local family, as this is a 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.

Living is basic, yet comfortable, and all homestays have electricity and running water. Volunteers can expect to share a room with other volunteers, however in some homestays volunteers have their own rooms. Bedding is provided, but it is recommended that volunteers bring their 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.

Volunteers are provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, with all meals hosted 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 per week for this (two liters per 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.

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:

• Mid and South Jordan Experience This is a tour around many of Jordan’s main attractions including Mount Nebo, Aqaba City, Madaba City, the Dead Sea, Petra and Wadi Rum. For this experience there are two, three or four day options, ranging in price from $310 to $570. These are all-inclusive road trips where you’ll spend time ticking off many bucket list attractions alongside a local guide. Once you have applied the Jordan Program Manager will be happy to provide more information on what is included in each option.

• North Jordan Experience This is a one day tour around the archaeological sites of North Jordan including Umm Qais, Golan Heights, Ajloun Castle, and Jerash. For $150 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.

Once registered, please get in touch with your IVHQ Program Manager to get more information and secure your booking for these unique Jordan experiences.

Please note that the above quoted prices are based on two or more volunteers taking part, prices will vary for volunteers booking solo.

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.

Volunteers need to be 18 years or over to participate on this program, unless volunteering with a parent or guardian. If you are under the age of 18, IVHQ offers alternative volunteer opportunities for teens. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad page to to learn more.

Volunteers must speak fluent English. All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance and provide a recent criminal background check to IVHQ after registering on the program.

Free Interactive Volunteer Training - All volunteers are encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training, which is available exclusively to registered IVHQ volunteers. The training is designed to build an understanding of important aspects that need to be considered before embarking on an IVHQ program. It helps volunteers to prepare in the right way by providing advice on what it takes to be a safe, responsible and valuable volunteer. Try a sample of the training here.

Volunteer Language Lessons

We recommend volunteers take advantage of the very affordable Arabic lessons offered exclusively to IVHQ volunteers by our ​local team ​in Jordan. These language courses 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. The lesson times will be arranged outside of your volunteer hours and are taught by professional Arabic teachers. We believe that taking these lessons can help you immensely with your day to day volunteer work and communicating with local people while in Jordan.

• 10 hour package = $275
• 20 hour package = $535
• 30 hour package = $795
• 40 hour package = $1055