AMMAN — HRH Princess Basma bint Talal, Chairperson of the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD) Board of Trustees, on Wednesday met with the team from Al Rajaa School for the Hearing-Impaired in Al Russeifa, winners of the 2025 Zayed Sustainability Award.

 

The school team, part of the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD), received the award for their project, “The Talking Environmental School.”

 

The initiative aims to equip students with hearing impairments with the knowledge and skills needed in environmental sustainability and modern agricultural technologies, enabling them to actively contribute to their communities.

 

Princess Basma, accompanied by JOHUD Executive Director Farah Daghistani, met with the project team and heard a presentation from the school principal Hanan Moghrabi‏, and several students about the project and its objectives.

 

She also congratulated the school and its students on this achievement, emphasising that winning the award demonstrates how success and creativity thrive when driven by a steadfast commitment to excellence and the determination to overcome challenges in all circumstances.

 

“The school’s award highlights the ability of Jordanian students from all backgrounds to achieve excellence in their academic and professional pursuits, drawing on their creativity and innovative ideas,” Princess Basma said, noting that environmental sustainability is increasingly important in the face of climate change and its challenges, particularly in the efficient use of water resources, soil rehabilitation, and the application of modern agricultural technologies.

 

Princess Basma expressed her pride in the school’s staff and students, noting their ability to translate creative and innovative ideas into tangible projects that benefit both the school and the local community.

 

Moghrabi said the project was launched as part of the school’s efforts and vision to empower students with hearing impairments to play an active role in environmental sustainability.

 

She added that it aligns with the school’s mission to instil values of innovation and environmental creativity, preparing generations capable of making a meaningful contribution to protecting the environment.

 

Moghrabi also noted that the project aims to address challenges such as water scarcity and low environmental awareness by integrating smart farming techniques, rainwater harvesting, and greywater recycling, while providing students with learning opportunities in sign language, empowering them to become leaders of change within the school and the wider community.

 

She highlighted that the project includes training students in e-marketing for their products and integrating art and hands-on activities in the environmental field, to fosterraisevitfoster vitalitynviroraise awareness among them.

 

JOHUD technical support team member Shadi Qaisi, presented the stages of the project in the context of the challenges posed by climate change, highlighting its importance for the school, which is located in a densely populated area with limited agricultural land, and the need to raise environmental awareness.

 

“The school places special emphasis on ensuring the sustainability of the project by collaborating with partners, making use of available school spaces for cultivation, and applying modern agricultural technologies to produce healthy food,” he said.

 

Qaisi highlighted the technical support provided by JOHUD in developing the project, which he said would serve as a model of excellence and innovation for Princess Basma Centres for Development across the Kingdom and for schools throughout Jordan.

 

Al Rajaa School for the Hearing-Impaired, founded in 1977, provides specialised educational services for students with hearing impairments using modern methods and approaches, and is considered a pioneer in Jordan and the region in applying the philosophy of total communication, which includes sign language, lip and facial expression reading, as well as speech training and language development.