Library In a Box ~ Pakistan
The Alif Laila Book Bus Society (which serves as the IBBY Pakistan Chapter) has initiated a "Library In a Box" program that will distribute 640 boxes of books to rural schools without libraries throughout Pakistan. Each box will contain 100 books (new and in gently used condition) with a focus on books with an international perspective to help the children become more aware of the world they live in. One of the concerns of IBBY and the ALBBS is that Pakistani children are living in an increasingly insular society and need exposure to books that promote better understanding, tolerance, and celebration of other cultures.
We at WaterBridge Outreach have committed our support for the purchase of 640 new books to be included in the boxes, and we are delighted to support ALBBS in their mission to bring education, books, and libraries to children all over Pakistan, especially to girls and those in the rural and mountainous areas.
UPDATE MARCH 2021 ~ Goal met! 680 Libraries in a Box distributed by Alif Laila Book Bus Society !
With support from WaterBridge Outreach and other organizations, Alif Laila Book Bus Society (which serves as the International Board on Books for Young People Pakistan chapter) achieved their goal of sending out 680 box libraries with 100 books per box to celebrate 68 years of IBBY. The libraries were sent to areas all over the country where children had scant or no exposure to reading for pleasure. Over 119,000 children are benefiting from the Library in a Box program and we were delighted to support ALBBS in their mission to bring education, books, and libraries to children all over Pakistan, especially to girls and those hard to reach rural and mountainous areas.
To read the final report for this wonderful project, please click this button:
UPDATE JULY 2019
Ms. Basarat Kazim, president of ALBBS, just sent us these photos from schools in the province of Sindh (southeastern Pakistan) that recently received book boxes. She reports that "The box libraries are spreading sunshine and the joy of reading in areas that did not have books at all. We have sent out 350 libraries to date and have enough English books for another 500 but we have run out of Urdu books and need to purchase those.
Pakistan is unfortunately in a very challenging financial position and donor support is dwindling. At Alif Laila we feel that children are always at the receiving end of financial cuts and therefore we do what we need to do with greater energy and commitment. The support of friends such as you keeps our morale and hopes high. We hope we can continue to deliver the resources to the many thousands of children that help make their childhood beautiful."