Students volunteer in Jordan to change lives

A group of Coventry University students has returned from a volunteering initiative in Jordan which saw them work with children in some of the country's most deprived schools.

The students, who were given the opportunity through the Majid AlSadi Changing Lives programme – which is generously funded by Coventry University alumnus and international philanthropist Dr Majid AlSadi – were welcomed to the country's capital Amman by British Deputy Ambassador to Jordan, Simon Mustard.

Coventry University's chancellor and industrialist Sir John Egan also joined the students on their visit to witness the work they were doing with partner organisations such as the Al Aman Fund for the Future of Orphans and the Jordan Media Institute.

The students' volunteering work took place under Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan's Madrasati initiative, which repairs and restores schools to make them safer, better-equipped and more inspiring learning environments.

The latest Majid AlSadi Changing Lives programme is the fourth visit to Jordan by Coventry students, and follows a successful trip in September last year which saw students set up a charity to help Syrian refugees.

A fifth trip is already planned for September this year, with the intention of giving 28 students the opportunity to volunteer to help 'change lives'.

Student Seb Farrell, who took part in the trip, is no stranger to enterprising activities having recently set up his own all male singing group. Speaking about the Majid AlSadi Changing Lives programme, he said:

The trip was honestly a life changing experience. The kindness and generosity of Dr AlSadi was simply awe-inspiring, the charities we worked with were passionate, and the people we met were unforgettable.

We experienced a touch of another world, literally and metaphorically. It's not every day you get to have a seven course meal with royalty! We entered Jordan as a group of unknown students, but left as humbled giants.

For further information, please contact Alex Roache, external press and media relations officer, Coventry University, on +44 (0)24 7765 5050 or email alex.roache@coventry.ac.uk.