MOSAICS TRAINING PROJECT

Finding New Opportunities at the Gates of Petra

In recent years, the local communities surrounding the Red Rose City of Petra have grown and prospered with the proliferation of tourism. But all too often, the region’s young women haven’t had a seat at the table. With support from Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy and the First Institute for Training and Education, these inspiring women are finding a fair living, an entrepreneurial spirit and a new artistic voice by reviving the traditional art form of mosaic.

As the gateway to Petra, the Jordanian city of Wadi Musa has witnessed exponential growth as more of the world has come to discover the incredible Red Rose City of antiquity. While tourism has fueled a buoyant local economy, the young women of the city haven’t seen their share of opportunities.

To solve this problem, the women of Wadi Musa teamed up with AKP in 2023. In looking to their ancestral past, they found the answer in the ancient tradition of mosaic. With instruction from the First Institute for Training and Education, 40 local women between the ages of 18 and 35 learned to create mosaic artworks and market them to visitors — affording them a long-deserved piece of the local tourist economy. This Mosaics Training Project also offers access to mentorship and job-placement assistance.

Looking to the future, AKP strives to grow the program and empower more local women with a path to entrepreneurial success, an outlet for artistic expression and a deepened connection with their cultural traditions. In the words of Jordan’s AKP Coordinator, Rahmeh Qashlan, “This project represents a new chapter for these women, opening doors to personal growth, independence and future opportunities. It is a powerful step toward empowering them to shape their own futures.”