The Amala Board in Jordan

In June 2023, the Amala Board of Trustees held their first Board meeting on-site at the Amala Centre in Amman, Jordan. This was a momentous occasion, as it was the first time that the Board had travelled to an Amala site to engage with staff, students and our programmes, and the visit left an impact across the Amala community. 

The Covid-19 pandemic coincided with a crucial time in Amala’s development, when we were expanding our programmes and reach. Since it was difficult for Amala to hold an in-person Board meeting during this time, the meeting on site in Jordan was an important opportunity for the Board to observe what happens on the ground at the Amala Learning Centre in order to make even more effective decisions.

The Amala team in Jordan organised a fantastic programme for the Board members, scheduled on a weekend, so that the Trustees were able to engage with the community, as the Amala centre is often full of life on weekends. Beyond the Board meeting itself, the Trustees participated in classes and the students even organised a “dish party”, sharing food from their countries and their favourite dishes.

Keith Clark, Chair of the Amala Board of Trustees, said of the visit:

“This was an extraordinarily impactful visit for the Board and an important backdrop to some important strategic discussions. Three things struck us most. First, the clear sense in which the students considered the Amala Learning Centre as a special place for them, a home as much as a school. Second, the remarkable diversity and the ease of communication across such different national and cultural backgrounds. And third, the relevance of the teaching and learning and the students’ engagement with it. And, of course, the food. The 'dish party’ lunch was fabulous - flavours of Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea and Yemen, and those were just the dishes I ate! We were welcomed so warmly and it strengthened us all in our commitment to Amala and our work.”

Mia Eskelund, Amala’s Co-founder and Co-executive Director reflected on the visit:

“These events with the students, staff and alumni left a real impact on the Board members. They experienced the openness, hospitality and welcoming nature of the Amala community in Jordan - something that we have often spoken about with the trustees - but there’s just nothing like experiencing that in person.”

The Board members stayed near the Amala Learning Centre, walking the same streets that the students do every day. Through this, the trustees gained valuable insights into students’ lives outside of Amala.

During the visit, Mia and fellow Co-founder and Co-executive Director Polly Akhurst connected with new and long-standing Amala partners. They visited the International Academy Amman,  a CIS-accredited school,  and the American Community School,  where they met with the Headteacher, Larry. There they exchanged ideas and insights about best practice relating to health and safety and safeguarding, learning how these principles are implemented in the Jordan context.

Mia summarised the impact of the Board meeting being held in Jordan:

“We often talk about the importance of community at Amala, and I think experiencing this was so key for discussions that we are going to have and decisions that will be made in the future.”