The desertous Mafraq region of northeastern Jordan is one of the poorest parts of the country. The poverty rate is over 30 percent, unemployment hovers at 15 percent, and the local population is isolated from many government services. Additionally, the area has been greatly affected by the Syrian civil war right next door – refugees are flooding across the border and seeking shelter in Jordan, placing a further burden on the local population.

The Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) are striving to provide basic services to prevent the incoming refugees and the local population from falling under the influence of the extremist organizations that pose a serious threat in the region. To that end, the JAF just completed construction of a school in one of the towns closest to the border. This facility, staffed by JAF teachers, will provide valuable education to both Syrian refugees and local Jordanian children.

However, due to budgetary constraints, the school lacks important items. The US advisors working with the JAF alerted Spirit of America to a critical need: whiteboards for the classrooms. With your help, SoA can fill this gap, helping the JAF and their US partners provide quality instruction to a very vulnerable population.

*Photo courtesy of Reuters