Home > Who we serve > Next generation leadership > Arab Episcopal School, Irbid, Jordan

Arab Episcopal School, Irbid, Jordan

Before 2003, blind and visually-impaired children in Irbid, Jordan, had no options for education besides traveling an hour each way to Amman. That’s when the Rev. Samir Esaid and Mrs. Sabah Zurikat founded the Arab Episcopal School in Irbid, a city of about 1.7 million people. AES has grown to become a K-12 academic school educating more than 275 sighted and visually-impaired students side-by-side.

Mrs. Sabah Zurikat describes AES’s growth. “We’re so thankful for the ways the school has grown, and the support we’ve received both from our community here in Irbid, to communities in many parts of the world. It is only through the dedication of our staff and the support of friends that we’re able to continue teaching integration and peace education,” Zurikat explained.

In addition to offering a full academic program, the Arab Episcopal School works to develop its students’ character by offering a peace curriculum that is built on democracy, respect of human rights, an emphasis on volunteer work and being good stewards of the environment.

Learn more at www.aeschool.org

Services Provided

  • K-12 Academic Education
  • Individualized program for blind and visually-impaired students
AES needs support to offer blind and visually-impaired students vocational education to improve their chances for a productive, stable future.

Your impact as an AFEDJ Donor

Your gift makes a difference for students in northern Jordan.
  • In 2022 a gift of more than $90,000 funded an new floor in the high school wing.
  • While sighted students are required to pay the full tuition, blind and visually-impaired students pay only 1/16th of the cost.
  • The Diocese of Jerusalem and generous donors all over the world support these deserving students.
back to top