Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah joined a group of young men and women at Kawon Bookshop in Madaba on Sunday, a creative space known for promoting a culture of reading and encouraging youth innovation.

Her Majesty was welcomed by Kawon co-founders, Ghaith Bahdousheh and Qais Maayeh, who explained how their affinity for reading inspired them to establish the bookshop as a cultural destination for young people, tourists, and readers of all ages.

Aiming to create job and volunteer opportunities for members of the community, Kawon provides employment for local retirees through its café and recently opened social kitchen, serving homemade baked goods and locally sourced teas.

Following a tour of the bookshop, Her Majesty joined CEO of Madaba Foundation for Development and Training, Ayesha Hawatmeh, for a meeting with a number of local youth active in the fields of entrepreneurship, volunteerism, and social work.

Madaba Foundation for Development and Training is a nonprofit association with a focus on economic empowerment and education. Operating primarily in the areas of Thiban and Bani Hamida, the association offers self-learning and development opportunities to the governorate’s youth.

During the meeting, the young men and women presented their contributions to their local communities in various fields. They also shared their aspirations to launch their own projects promoting education, tourism, and constructive dialogues across the governorate.

The Office of Her Majesty will support a number of youth-focused projects in Madaba, aiming to enhance young men and women’s employability and cultural awareness.

These projects include the establishment of a new stand-alone learning hub by Kawon, which will be the first such space to host activities related to culture, art, and music for Madaba’s children and youth. The Office will also support the refurbishment of the bookshop’s existing study space, providing it with laptops and other necessary equipment.

Furthermore, in coordination with Madaba Foundation for Development and Training, the Office of Her Majesty will fund several small income-generating projects by young entrepreneurs. It will also work with the association to provide a number of youth in Madaba with access to English-language and soft skills courses, in an effort to help them secure employment.

Additionally, the Office of Her Majesty will extend its support to the Shabab 24 initiative, funding initiatives by its members, and to Methrah for Arts and Culture, a nonprofit association that aims to enrich Madaba’s cultural scene through music and art activities.