Assist America Sponsors the Bedouin Heritage Project

PRINCETON, New Jersey -

Assist America, Princeton, N.J., U.S.A., is pleased to announce its sponsorship of the Bedouin Heritage Project, an organization dedicated to safeguarding and preserving the lifestyle, oral traditions and culture of the Bedu in the Wadi Rum region of Jordan. As a supporter, Assist America has funded a 2-year scholarship for a student without financial means to participate in the Project’s endeavors, and is also providing complimentary global emergency services for all active individuals working for the organization for the same timeframe.

(Photo: www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091006/NY88313-a ) (Photo: www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091006/NY88313-b ) (Photo: www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091006/NY88313-c )

Assist America is a leading provider of global emergency services, such as medical referrals, emergency medical evacuations, medical repatriations, hospital admission guarantee, prescription assistance, return of mortal remains — and much more — through group benefits plans. The company, which has been saving the lives of travelers since 1990, has successful partnerships with several Middle Eastern insurers in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and United Arab Emirates.

The Bedouin Heritage Project hosts a program for 10 qualified students from various parts of the world to work and learn in the field, while assisting in the preservation of the ancient Bedu culture, which evolved over the course of millennia and is gradually being lost due to societal changes. Students work side by side with seasoned team members, taking photographs, exploring the desert, learning to cook as Bedouins, riding camels, piloting four wheel drive vehicles and much more.

A four week stint in July 2009 represented the beginning of formal field work for the project, which is expected to last 24 months from start to finish; additional blocks of fieldwork will take place throughout the remaining 20 months. Mark Abouzeid, Project Manager of the Bedouin Heritage Foundation, says the initial trip was a fantastic experience and a real success.

“First, and most importantly, we have gained the trust and full collaboration of the Bedouin community,” says Abouzeid. “We have Bedu representation on our board, and a Bedouin has taken on the role of primary videographer for the project.”

Other unique achievements were marked in that single month. “Our interns from around the globe worked hand in hand with professionals in very difficult conditions to help produce more than one-third of the ‘living library’ contents for the project,” says Abouzeid.

The group also was present for the release of 22 gazelle-like creatures called Oryx into the natural habitat of Wadi Rum. The Oryx, previously extinct in the region, were raised in captivity and introduced to skills for survival in the wild over a period of three years. Their release is only the first of many efforts to repopulate the natural reserve at Wadi Rum.

Abouzeid says, “Thanks to the support of Assist America and other sponsors, the Bedouin Heritage Project has made great strides in safeguarding the unique, intangible culture of the Bedouin people of Wadi Rum. Following a month’s field work by a team of 11 photographers, journalists, interns and cultural anthropologists, our living library now includes more than 11,000 photos, 15 hours of high-definition video, and multiple CD recordings.”

He adds, “In addition to the scholarship Assist America provided to Petra Fantozzi, an Italian photography student, their services also gave us real peace of mind. Every day the team endured searing, 105-degree heat, sandstorms and extreme activity schedules lasting long into the night. But we all felt great comfort in knowing that if anything happened, Assist America would be there to help.”

“We have strong business partnerships in the Middle East, and are also the leading assistance provider for student groups,” says George Howard, President of Assist America. “This project seemed like a perfect fit for us and we are very pleased to be a part of it.”

Founded in 1990, Assist America, Inc. is the world’s largest provider of global emergency assistance in partnership with insurance benefit plans. Its global network of professionals responds quickly to any member who becomes medically compromised while traveling more than 100 miles from home. From simple doctor referrals to complex intercontinental evacuations and more, Assist America saves lives every day. The company, headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, serves more than 25 million members and over 300,000 enterprises through benefit programs from the prominent insurance providers. More information about Assist America is available at www.assistamerica.com.

Source: Assist America, Inc.

Mary Conti, Director of Corporate Communications, Assist America, Inc., +1-609-921-0868 x212, mconti at assistamerica.com. Photo: https://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091006/NY88313-a, https://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091006/NY88313-b, https://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091006/NY88313-c