Program Capabilities

Questscope has developed well-tested tools that have proved extremely effective in improving the lives and prospects individuals and communities in the Middle East. These tools and others are engaged, as needed, on each project that Questscope undertakes:

Participatory Rapid Appraisal (PRA)

When Questscope starts work in a new community, we customarily begin with a community appraisal. This PRA process identifies stakeholders across a variety of sectors—from grassroots leaders to high-ranking government officials—equipping them to identify and clearly understand local problems, assets, and possible solutions.

Through this process, stronger ties are also built between people at the margins of a community and those in the positions of influence—one important step in building strong pro-social communities.

Mentoring

Mentoring is a critical component of every Questscope program and project. A vulnerable young person, a disadvantaged woman is connected with a an older, more experienced mentor who is committed to their mentee’s well-being, and provides ongoing social support.

Questscope mentors receive 30-100 hours of training for this role, including how to help mentees connect with needed community resources. Since 2002 Questscope has mobilized more than 5,000 mentors for individuals in our programs.

Informal & Non-Formal Education

Over the past ten years, Questscope has developed proven alternative education methods, that help dropouts and others to learn needed language, math, science and other capabilities necessary to complete 10-grade certification in the Jordan school system. Participants also learn critical thinking, civic skills, and vocational skills that can be key to a better life. The program is 24 months long.

Questscope trains teachers from the formal education system in these methods, who then facilitate our IFE and NFE classes. More than 7,000 youth in Jordan have completed this program. And Questscope is now teaching these education methods to groups across the Middle East/North Africa region.

Increasing the capacity of community-based organizations (CBOs)

Every Questscope project is done in partnership with community-based organizations. These groups—community centers, neighborhood schools, women’s cooperatives, social service organizations—are in a strategic position to help Questscope’s target populations. But the CBO may lack certain skills, equipment, or support systems that are necessary to help.

Questscope conducts our programs in these CBO sites, and we provides the training, equipment, evaluation and accounting help, or other support needed to strengthen and sustain the CBO’s ongoing work.

Restorative Justice

Questscope also develops and guides innovative programs for adult prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families and for juveniles in custody. We currently partner with thirteen community-based organizations to serve approximately 3,400 prisoners, plus 10,000 family members in nine countries in the Middle East/North Africa region. Much of this work is done through trained volunteers.

Our work with adult prisoners, ex-prisoners, and their families includes: help with basic needs, legal support, education, counseling, spiritual support, vocational training, assistance in small business development, help in re-integrating into the community and building new social networks.

The work with juveniles in custody and after release includes: Circles of Support and Accountability, understanding the impact on one’s crime, mentoring, non-formal education, family counseling, and vocational training.

Spiritual Formation

People are more than social and economic beings. We also have an inner life. This life influences how we view ourselves how we relate to others and our society. Many of the people that Questscope serves suffer from inner wounds caused by extreme poverty, war, abuse, neglect, and alienation. These wounds can destroy relationships, erode self-confidence, and undermine people’s ability to dream for the future.

Questscope creates safe environments where relationships centered in hope, compassion, forgiveness, and reconciliation can grow. We call this process spiritual formation.

Questscope offers multiple opportunities for individuals in our programs—who wish to address their pain and discuss future hopes—to do so. Staff, partners, and volunteers are trained in this process.