Orient Spirit Development, a UPA partner, is the first specialized vocational training center in the Middle East, established in 2006 and located in Jordan. Orient Spirit is dedicated to training individuals with special needs and persons with disabilities and frequently employs former students.

Last year, UPA supported the tuition for students to attend the center in order to improve their skills and talents. The staff at Orient Spirit work to improve each student’s own individual skills while also helping them become more independent.

Joud, a 22-year-old from Jordan joined Orient Spirit a few years ago to improve her sensory skills as well as her self-confidence. At the time, she couldn’t communicate effectively with her peers and had a hard time making friends.

Soon after extensive specialized training, she became very skillful and excelled at sewing and singing! Her significant growth helped her make friends and even landed her a job at the center working alongside her peers.

The UPA Children’s Fund works in cooperation with reputable organizations throughout Palestinian communities to support educational, health & nutrition and recreational projects.