JEDDAH, 18 June 2004 — A summer program of activities and courses for women and children launched by Joury Women’s Center aims to offer young women the opportunity “to improve through education, wise use of leisure, discovery and ingenuity,” according to the center’s director.
“Our motto is ‘life made simple.’ We want to instill the pursuit of simplicity and creativity, since what is important is the essence of a person rather than the appearance,” Jamila Islam explained.
The activities are designed to tap the creative powers of students. The center opened three years ago and its programs are for girls from 5 to 22.
The courses include arts, makeup, cooking, flower arrangement, etiquette and home economics in addition to cultural, psychological, sociological, educational and religious courses. This year photography and computer courses have been added.
“There is a growing interest in photography among girls and many have signed up for the course,” said Jamila. The center is also preparing programs in interior decoration. “Our goal is to raise awareness among girls, develop their skills and prepare them to be self-fulfilled,” said Jamila. The trainers are professionals and most of them are Saudi.
For young women, there is a reading club in Arabic and English and soon one in French as well.
“It’s important to nurture children’s talents at an early age since school classes are not enough,” Jamila commented. At the end of the summer, there will be a ceremony for the girls where they will host a party for their mothers.
