Questscope is an international non-governmental, non-profit organization founded in 1988 with the goal of putting the last, first. We rely on a theory of social change that recognizes the interconnected nature of individual transformation, institutional response, and policy changes at the governance level.
Guiding Principles
We “put the last, first.” Our work reflects a radical commitment to the most vulnerable.
We work alongside those we serve to co-create together. They are not the problem. They are the solution!
We believe caring relationships are the foundation of individual and community well-being.
We hold ourselves accountable. We develop and use proven processes that can be scaled.
Mission
Questscope partners with vulnerable women, youth and marginalized communities in Jordan, Syria and the Middle East to foster social development and create pathways for change, growth and empowerment.
Vision
A Middle East where marginalized communities are empowered to navigate the challenges and uncertainties of their lives.
Today, a Youth Innovation Center is coming together in Za’atari Camp that includes a photography school; psycho-social and self-expression projects; trauma alleviation training for mental well-being; arts, drama, poetry and music therapy courses; language acquisition classes; dancercise classes (Zumba); nutritional counseling; and training in administration/management skills.
In 2019, Questscope became officially accredited in Syria under an agreement with the Red Cross/Red Crescent for humanitarian work in the country. We will focus on health and marginalized youth.
In 2018, Syrians displaced to Germany, many of whom we knew from previous work in Syria, helped us to register Questscope in Germany and initiate our first project for community engagement in Berlin.
In 2013, Questscope Founder, Dr. Curt Rhodes, is awarded Social Entrepreneur of the Year by the Schwab Foundation/World Economic Forum
In 2012, Questscope opened a Youth Center in Jordan’s Za’atari Refugee Camp. Mentorship activities created a foundation for the development of Syrian youth as leaders and contributors to the center. Additional programs were added, including prevention of gender-based violence and peer-to-peer transfer of knowledge.
In 2011, Questscope responded to the humanitarian crisis in Syria with SSSD, our Syrian national partner, through expansion of activities into water/sanitation provision, shelter setup, food/medicine distribution, psychosocial and counseling support, and educational activities.
Starting in 2003, Questscope and the Jordanian Ministry of Education together designed and implemented the first non-formal education program of its kind in the Arab world for restoring dropouts and out-of-school youth to formal certification options (general education equivalence diploma).
In 1998, we turned our attention to youth at risk of incarceration and long-term re-offending. Initial activities centered on “street education for street kids,” which grew into a nation-wide program of capacity-building for mentoring in all 7 juvenile centers in Jordan.
Questscope began work in Jordan in 1994, accredited under the Ministry of Social Development for work with marginalized youth and communities.
Projects from 1994 until 1998 focused on social and economic empowerment of women in rapidly urbanizing neighborhoods on the outskirts of towns and cities. Community-based capital funds were established that still function today.