Peace Support Group: Servas Jordan

Peace Support Group:
Servas Jordan

Peace & Understanding
Through Travel & Hosting!

Servas Jordan

Servas Jordan was established in 2007 when the Development Committee of Servas International asked Zafira Labadi, to develop Servas in Jordan. Zafira has been a member since 2003.  She hosted many Servas Travelers from all over the world.

What is Servas?

Servas is a non-profit, non-governmental, interracial and interfaith association of hosts and travelers which works towards World Peace, goodwill, and understanding, through person-to-person contacts among people of diverse cultures. It is a network of Peace seekers and friends. Servas is accredited to the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

  منظمة سيرفاس

سيرفاس هي منظمة دولية غير حكومية وغير ربحية، تجمع ما بين جميع الأعراق والأديان والثقافات؛ وتهدف إلى تنمية السّلام والصداقة والتفاهم المتبادل في العالم، وذلك من خلال إتاحة فرص للتعارف بين أفراد من مختلف الثقافات. إنها شبكة من مضيفين ومسافرين الذين يسعون من اجل السلام والصداقة. وهي معتمدة من قبل اللجنة الاجتماعية الاقتصاديّة للأمم المتحدة

Servas’ Aims:

As stated in its charter, the aims of Servas are: … to help build world peace, goodwill and understanding by providing deeper, more personal contacts with people of diverse cultures and backgrounds … to share the hosts’ life and their concern in social and international problems, their interests in creative activity, and mutual responsibility for their fellow men.

أهداف منظمة سيرفاس

كما هو مذكور في ميثاقها، تهدف سيرفاس إلى تنمية السّلام والصّداقة والتفاهم المتبادل في العالم، من خلال بناء علاقات صداقة بين أفراد من حضارات وخلفيات مختلفة… ومن خلال المشاركة والانخراط في حياة العائلة المضيفة، والتعرّف عليهم وعلى اهتماماتهم بالقضايا الاجتماعية في البلاد المختلفة في العالم، وقضاء الوقت معهم ومشاركتهم نشاطاتهم المختلفة، والحوار معهم فيما يتعلّق بالحياة الاجتماعية ومسؤوليتهم المشتركة من اجل البشرية جمعاء

This sums up Servas Philosophy:

Servas is a special way of seeing the world – a place where there are no strangers, only friends you have yet to meet. When you join Servas, you will become a part of a community of global Peace seekers, and will have a wide network of friends you will never forget.

ملخص فلسفة سيرفاس

سيرفاس هي طريقة خاصة لرؤية العالم — مكان حيث لا يوجد غرباء، فقط أصدقاء لم تلتقي بهم بعد. عندما تنضم إلى سيرفاس، سوف تصبح عضوا من جماعة الساعين الى السلام العالمي، وسيكون لديك شبكة واسعة من الأصدقاء لن تنساهم أبدا

Servas History

Servas was established in 1949 in Denmark by young pacifists from several countries attending high school in Denmark by opening their homes to like-minded people from other countries in order to work actively for Peace. They started a movement called “open door for work-study-travel”.
The name was changed at its conference in 1952 to Servas, which is an Esperanto word meaning “serve”.
At the 1972 conference, Servas International was registered in Switzerland as a Non-Governmental Organization, and is represented at the United Nations in New York, Geneva and Vienna.
Later on, it was accepted that Servas should work across all boundaries—nationalities, races, politics, religions, ages, cultures and interests.
Now, there are over 15,000 Servas members in over 100 countries around the world, and the door is still open. Join us!

تاريخ منظمة سيرفاس

ظهرت فكرة سيرفاس للمرة الأولى عام 1949 في الدنمرك، من خلال مجموعة ناشطين من جميع أنحاء العالم، للمساهمة في بناء السلام. كان اسم التنظيم في ذلك الوقت: الباب المفتوح للعمل، والتعليم والسفر

لاحقُا، في مؤتمرها الذي عقد عام 1952، تمّ تبنّي اسم سيرفاس (في لغة الاسبرانتو- تعني خدمة) والذي يميّز الحركة، بهدف تعزيز خدمة الإنسان في جميع أنحاء العالم

في مؤتمرها الذي عقد عام 1972، تم تسجيل سيرفاس في سويسرا كمنظمة غير حكومية، وهي ممثلة في الأمم المتحدة في نيويورك، وجنيف، وفينّا

تتخطى سيرفاس جميع الحدود — الجنسيات، والاعراق، والسياسات، والاديان، والاعمار، والثقافات والاهتمامات المختلفة — ولا تفرق بينها

يوجد اليوم أكثر من 15,000 عضو في سيرفاس في أكثر من 100 دولة حول العالم، وما زال الباب مفتوحًا

How it works

Servas provides opportunities to get to know countries from the inside out, and to find a home in a foreign land. Servas is run by volunteers and it consists of Hosts and Travelers.

Servas is NOT a travel agency, and it is NOT to provide free accommodation or means of travel or living at the expense of others.

Approved Travelers contact Hosts in the countries they intend to visit—well in advance before traveling and request to be hosted. As a Host, you receive requests from approved Travelers to host them. Overnight Hosts offer hospitality to approved Travelers; provide a bed for 1 or 2 nights and usually invite them to share a meal. A Host may refuse a Traveler if they are busy or have another engagement. Hosts who are not able to provide overnight accommodation can join as Day Hosts.

Through Servas, Travelers have the opportunities to meet Hosts, their families and friends in their everyday life.

As Hosts, we can receive the world into our homes.

كيفية عمل منظمة سيرفاس

سيرفاس تتيح فرص للقاء أصدقاء في دول أجنبية والتعرف على حضاراتهم وتقاليدهم. سيرفاس هي منظمة تطوّعية تدار من قبل متطوعون، وتتكون من مضيفين ومسافرين

سيرفاس ليست وكالة سفر، وليست من اجل توفير إقامة مجانية أو وسيلة للسفر أو العيش على حساب الآخرين

يأخذ المسافر على عاتقه مهمة الاتصال بالمضيفين بشكل مباشر، وذلك حسب قائمة المضيفين في البلد الذي يرغب بالسفر إليه قبل السفر بمدة كافيه ويطلب منهم أن يستضيفوه

يستضيف المضيف المسافرين الأعضاء لقضاء ليلة أو ليلتين مجانا، وذلك حسب إمكانياتهم ووقت فراغهم، وعادة ما يدعونهم لمشاركتهم وجبة طعام. يمكن للمضيف أن يكون مضيفا نهاريا فقط إذا لم تتوفر لديه الإمكانيات لاستضافة المسافرين للإقامة في منزله. كما يمكن للمضيف رفض طلب من مسافر ما إذا كان مشغولا أو لديه ارتباطات أخرى

من خلال سيرفاس، يتمكن المسافر من التعرّف على المضيفين ومشاركتهم عالمهم واهتماماتهم وحياتهم اليومية 

كمضيفين، نحن نستقبل العالم في بيوتنا

How to join Servas Jordan:

If you are over 25 years old, friendly, open-minded, enjoy meeting people from diverse cultures and backgrounds, you can join Servas as follows:

  1. Complete the Application Form. To request the Application Form, send an email to jordan@servas.org  Write “Servas” in the subject line of your email. Indicate in your email whether you wish to join as a Host or as a Traveler or both. Complete the Application Form carefully: tell us about yourself, your interests & hobbies, and why you want to join Servas. Include your contact details (email, telephone number and home address). Return the Application Form by email.
  2.  Attend a meeting with a Servas Representative: Once we receive your complete Application, we will contact you to set up a meeting with you, to get to know you and to explain how it works in more details, and to answer any questions you may have about Servas.
  3. Pay the membership fee.

We look forward to welcoming you on board!

In Peace and Friendship!  

كيفية الانضمام إلى سيرفاس في الأردن 

شروط الانتساب: أن تكون قد تجاوزت سن 25 عاما، لطيف، اجتماعي، وترغب بالتعرف على أفراد من جنسيات وثقافات مختلفة — ويفضل أن تتحدث ولو قليلا لغة أجنبية

يمكنك الانضمام إلى سيرفاس على النحو التالي

أولا: تعبئة نموذج الانتساب للحصول على النموذج، أرسل رسالة الكترونية إلى العنوان التالي

jordan@servas.org

الرجاء ذكر كلمة سيرفاس في موضوع الرسالة. اذكر ضمن الرسالة اسمك الكامل، ورقم هاتفك، ولماذا ترغب بالانضمام، ونوع العضوية التي ترغب بها. يمكنك الانضمام إما كمضيف أو كمسافر أو كلاهما

ثانيا: حضور مقابلة شخصية مع ممثلة سيرفاس لشرح تفاصيل عمل سيرفاس وللإجابة على أية أسئلة تتعلق بسيرفاس

ثالثا: دفع رسوم الاشتراك السنوي 

نحن نتطلع إلى الترحيب بكم كأعضاء ضمن جماعة محبي السلام في العالم

مع تحيات السلام والصداقة

Information For SERVAS Travelers
Visiting Jordan

Welcome to Jordan!
(Ahlan w Sahlan!)

Servas Traveler’s Responsibilities

Servas members around the world have enjoyed the art of hosting travelers in the Servas way for decades. Communication is key to a successful Servas experience. The system works well when travelers remember to do the following:

  • Read the information on the Hosts-list very carefully to understand what the Host is able to offer. Contact Hosts well in advance. Each request should be individualized, No mass emails.
  • Servas Hosts expect ALL Servas Travelers to have a valid LOI, without exception.  Any adult companions must have their own LOI. A good Servas Traveler will NOT ask a Host to host them without having a valid LOI, or to accept someone who is not a Servas traveler.
  • Please send a copy of your valid LOI with your first email, and also those who are travelling with you; and show the original LOI to your Host when you arrive / first meet them / at the door — before your hosts ask you — it shows you are an approved Servas traveler. Some may like to be given a photocopy to keep! 
  • Servas membership does Not guarantee anyone the ‘right’ to free hospitality. However, Servas Hosts do have the right to refuse a hosting request, even without explanation. Be polite and understanding when a host says “No”. Never pressure hosts to take you. They always have the right to say NO without telling you why.
  • Do not expect, or ask your host, to fetch you, even if the hosts-list says they can. You may of course accept an offer. It is a good idea to ask your hosts for clear instructions to their home when you contact them.
  • DO spend time with your hosts – this is the main purpose of the visit. Get involved and share your ideas. Offer to help with cooking, cleaning, in the garden. Servas means ‘we serve’. Be prepared to fit in with your hosts’ plans. If you don’t feel sociable, use alternative accommodation.
  • Be aware that people on the hosts-list may have stopped being hosts. Be especially considerate in these cases.
  • Never phone or visit hosts at unsociable hours. This varies from country to country. In general, never call or visit hosts before 9.00 AM or after 7.00 PM. If your airplane scheduled to arrive/departure earlier than 9.00 AM or later than 7.00 PM, consider staying at a hotel, or at least inform and ask your host if it is okay with them!
  • Inform your hosts about the approximate time of your arrival. If you are late, inform your hosts as soon as possible. They have changed their plans in order to meet you, it is inconsiderate to ignore this. 
  • One or two nights stay maximum, unless your host invites you to stay longer.
  • Use of the telephone or computer is at your host’s invitation. Offer to pay for any costs when you do. Consider taking your mobile phone and buying a local SIM card with access to the internet. Never ask your host to give you their password.
  •  DO be polite and gracious, follow the house rules, and accept whatever sleeping and eating arrangements that are offered. DO consider carrying, and using, your own sheets or sleeping bag and towels. If you want comfort, stay at a hotel and visit hosts for the day.
  • You are in someone else’s home, so be considerate and clean up after yourself.
  • In some homes, it is normal to remove footwear before entering the house.  
  • Your host has offered you accommodation and their time. You may well be offered food, but you have no right to expect it. 
  • Be prepared to fit in with your hosts’ plans. Some may have taken time off work to be with you, others will have to go out to work. 
  • Don’t expect your hosts to take you sightseeing. Some hosts may want to show you round.
  • Always be sensitive and considerate. Customs, traditions, and forms of politeness vary from country to country. As a Servas traveler, feel free to ask what is the polite way to behave. Do not assume that the way you behave at home is considered polite in the country you are visiting.
  • It is not normal Servas practice to give hosts money. However, you should be sensitive to the financial situation of your host. When a host invites you to share a meal, it is appropriate to offer to bring something with you, or you could offer to buy the ingredients for, and prepare a dish typical of your country. Be careful not to offend your hosts by suggesting that their hospitality is unsatisfactory. Be sensitive and aware!
  • If you are included in family meals or activities, be prepared to offer to help (like washing up, laying table, helping in the kitchen etc.). 
  • Day Hosting/meeting Hosts during the day, requires your host to put effort and take time of their busy life to meet you. If you are not genuinely interested in meeting and knowing them, do not ask them to day-host you just to be your guide, or to provide you with information. 
  • Servas is a Peace organization. It is okay to talk about sensitive topics like politics and religion, but do not insist if your hosts are unwilling to talk about them − they probably have good reason for avoiding them. If you are Not comfortable talking about certain topics, then tell your host. Do Not be upset just because people have other opinions than yours about certain issues.
  • Be considerate. The relationship between host and traveler should be equal, not of a giver and a receiver. This involves you giving of yourself. Some hosts like to receive small gifts – souvenirs of you and your place of origin. If you can bring some small gifts, that would be a good idea. Or you can invite them out. But it is your choice.

General Tips for Travelers visiting Jordan

  • Jordan is a conservative country, so dress modestly, respect the culture and traditions of the local people.
  • Keep in mind that Jordan is a developing country with limited resources.
  • Water resources are limited in Jordan, so be careful with water when taking showers, whether you are at a hotel or at somebody’s home.
  • Ask people for permission before you take pictures, and you will be rewarded by their warmth and hospitality.
  • When visiting touristic sights, respect these places, do not collect any stones or artifacts, and do keep it clean. 
  • When visiting natural reserves or sights, respect the natural surroundings, keep noise down to a minimum, respect wild life, keep water sources clean, and carry all rubbish back with you. 
  • It is always a good idea to bring with you water, a hat to protect yourself from the heat in the summer, and comfortable walking shoes.
  • The cost of traveling and living in Jordan is expensive, so make sure to plan and budget well before you arrive. It is a good idea to check and reserve your hotels in advance through the internet, or a travel agent, so that you know how much it will cost you. Don’t rely on, or ask, your host to make hotel reservations for you. Servas is NOT a travel agency. 
  • If you want to save money while travelling, there are other organizations that can help you do that. Search for them on the internet. Servas does NOT exist to provide free accommodation or cheap means of travel. To use Servas for this purpose is unwise and unethical.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to visit Jordan?

In general, Jordan is a safe country, and women can travel on their own. However, you are advised to take the usual precautions when travelling anywhere in the world: never leave your belongings unattended, or in the open; and trust your intuition; if something seems like it is too good to be true; it probably is. Jordanians are usually friendly and hospitable, and they might invite you for coffee or tea. 

When is the best time to visit Jordan?

The weather is changing from year to year, and it is sometime hard to predict. However, the best times to visit Jordan are usually during Spring (March till May) and Autumn (September till November), and sometimes December is nice as well. However, it is best to check before you plan your trip.

Do I have to cover my hair?

The answer is NO. Women don’t have to cover their hair or wear any special dress. Women can wear skirts, dresses, T-shirts, and sleeveless tops. However, keep in mind that Jordan is a conservative country, so dress modestly, and respect the culture and traditions of the local people.

Is it worth it to buy a Jordan Pass?

The answer is YES, if you purchase the Jordan Pass before you arrive, and plan to visit Petra. It will save you money, effort, and time. It includes tourist visa fee, and prepaid entry to most sites in Jordan, including Petra. The Jordan Pass is valid for 2 weeks. For more information about Jordan and the Jordan Pass, please visit the official website of the Jordan Tourism Board at: http://visitjordan.com/  (It’s available in several languages) 

General Information About Jordan

Visas

Visitors can obtain a visa at any Jordanian embassy or consulate; at the Airport, or at other borders (except King Hussein Bridge and the ferryboat from Egypt). Visas are valid for one month, and can be extended at any police station. 

Local Time: G.M.T. + 3.

Currency and Money Exchange:

The local currency is the Jordanian Dinar (JD).
The dinar is divided into 100 piasters (or 1000 fils).
Notes: There are 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 JD notes.
Coins: there are 1/2 JD, a quarter, 10 piasters, 5 piasters, and 1 piaster.

Week-ends and Public Holidays

The official week-end for Banks and Government offices is Friday & Saturday. Some private companies open on Saturdays. Some small business, shops and Christian schools close on Fridays & Sundays. 

The Public Holidays include:

  • New Year’s Day: January 1st
  • Labor Day: May 1st
  • Jordan’s Independence Day: May 25th
  • Christmas Day: December 25th

Religious Holidays change depending on the Islamic calendar (based on the Lunar cycles). They are as follows:

  • Eid al-Fitr: 3 to 4-day feast at the end of Ramadan.
  • Eid al-Adha: 4 day feast at the end of the month of pilgrimage to Mecca.
  • Islamic New Year: First of Muharram.

Ramadan

This is the month when Muslims fast (don’t drink or eat or smoke) from sunrise to sunset. So, if you are planning to visit Jordan during the month of Ramadan, there are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Most restaurants will be closed during the day, only a few will be open, usually in big hotels and touristic sights. So, remember to take with you some water and food just in case.
  • All public transport, except for a few taxis, will stop working about 1 to 2 hours before sunset and about an hour after.
  • Opening hours of government offices and museums will be 1 or 2 hours shorter than usual.
  • Note: in general, people don’t eat, drink or smoke in public during the day, out of respect. Don’t worry if somebody sees you eating or drinking in public, nothing will happen.

Interesting Places to visit in Amman

The Citadel

The Citadel is the site of ancient Rabbath-Ammon, and excavations here have revealed numerous Roman, Byzantine and early Islamic remains. The most impressive building of the Citadel, known simply as al-Qasr (“the Palace”), dates back to the Islamic Umayyad period. Close to al-Qasr lie the remains of a small Byzantine basilica, which is thought to date from the sixth or seventh century CE. About 100 meters south of the church is what is thought to have been a temple of Hercules. The temple was built in the reign of the emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-180 CE). Northwest of the Temple of Hercules, there is The Jordan Archeological Museum. This small museum houses a collection of antiquities ranging from prehistoric times to the 15th century.

 

The Roman Theater

The Roman Theater is the most obvious and impressive relic of ancient Philadelphia. It was built during the reign of Antonius Pius (138-161 CE), and can accommodate 6000 spectators. The theater is still used periodically for musical and cultural events. Two small museums are built into the foundations of the Roman theater. The Jordan Folklore Museum displays a collection of items showing the traditional life of local people. At the other end of the theater stage, the Museum of Popular Traditions displays traditional Jordanian costumes, including fine embroidery and antique jewelry. To the northeast stands the small theater, or Odeon, which was built at about the same time as the Roman theater, this intimate 500-seat theater is used now for musical concerts.

The Jordan Museum

The Jordan Museum tells the ‘Story of Jordan’ both chronologically and thematically, and covers the Jordanian history and archaeology.

For more information, visit their website: https://jordanmuseum.jo/en

Darat Al-Funun

Darat Al-Funun is an Art gallery including six historic buildings from the 1920s, and an archaeological site in the gardens, creating a unique encounter between art, architecture, and archaeology. It has also a cafe with a nice view overlooking the old city. For more information, visit their website: http://daratalfunun.org/

The Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts

It has the largest collection of artworks by contemporary artists from the Islamic and developing worlds. It consists of 2 buildings. For more information, visit their website: http://www.nationalgallery.org/

Interesting Places to visit in Jordan

Petra: a city carved in rocks by an ancient civilization called the Nabatean.

Wadi Rum: a beautiful sandy dunes and rocky mountains in the desert.

Umm Ar-Rasas: a very ancient site where you can see mosaic.

Jerash: the ruins of a Roman city.

Dana: an old village and natural reserve.

The Dead Sea:  the lowest point on Earth.

Um Qais: ruins from several ancient civilizations, a wonderful view of Golan Heights and Lake Tiberius. 

For more Info.

For more information about the interesting sights and guided tours, please visit the following websites:

If you have specific questions about Servas Jordan, and how to join, please send an email to: jordan@servas.org — please write the word “Servas” in the subject line.

For more information about Servas International, go to: www.servas.org

In Peace and Friendship!