Marhaba from Amman

Hi IDS'ers!!!

"Ahlanwasahlan!" Greetings from Jordan! I hope you are all enjoying your summers in your respective places. I have been living in Amman for exactly one month and I'm really happy here!

I'm interning with USAID's Sustainable Achievement of Business Expansion and Quality Program (SABEQ) until late August - this is a continuation of my internship with the DC-based consulting firm, The Kaizen Company, where I have been working since October. SABEQ is USAID's economic development program for the entire country - it's very broad-based and touches a range of industries, sectors and regions. Specifically, I am assisting in the implementation and improvement of a concept called "Professional Communities" which involves organizing a variety of in-person and online activities in which like-minded professionals from the private, public and non-profit sectors can come together and share best practices, experience, ideas and network. I have heard that it is one of the most successfulful and innovative components at SABEQ! So far I have been focused on CRM (customer relationship management) - or, trying to improve the experience of our Professional Community have members. I have written action plans, drafted a newsletter, listened to member's feedback, created a database, hired consultants, managed our website, and written three surveys. My most important long-term task while in Amman is to develop a manual that provides a detailed account of how to replicate these communities elsewhere in the Middle East (we're looking to Egypt, Palestine and Pakistan next). More info about the project can be found at http://www.sabeq-jordan.org/.

Aside from work, I have been traveling a lot - to Syria, the Dead Sea, the ruins of Jerash, some villages in southern Jordan, etc. Jordan is such a beautiful country with so much to see and do. I really have to plan every weekend carefully as to maximize my limited time in the region. I plan to visit a colleague in Ramallah next weekend and hopefully sight see in Jerusalem. Fortunately I've met a bunch of Peace Corps volunteers who have invited me to their villages and on trips out of Jordan. The weather is perfect for me - hot, sunny and dry everyday! And I cannot get enough of the food - falafel, hummous, shwarma, yogurt, olive oil, and sweets all the time!

I'll leave you with a few pictures. My email is brooke.olster@gmail.com and my Skype ID is brooke.beoxc - keep in touch! If you can swing the trip, you're welcome to visit! Have a safe and happy summer!

Masalaameh (goodbye),

Brooke