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Jordan's development must be considered in three broad contexts which have profoundly shaped the process: the country's limited internal resouces, the political instability of the Middle East region and international policies, largely based on Western agendas, that have meant a continual need to mediate between aid donors and the cultural values and traditions of an Arab society. Drawing on a careful blend of qualitative and quantitative research techniques, the author provides not only a rare, people-centred account of a development organization and its practices, from grass roots to the national level, but also an insider's critical reflections on a venture with which she has been involved since its inception - The Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD), formerly known as the Queen Alia Jordanian Social Welfare Fund (QAF). For almost three decades the Fund has attempted to improve the quality of life in local communities.