Pakistan - 100 book box libraries

These past few years, in celebration of IBBY’s mission and work, the Pakistan section has been sending out 100 book box libraries to areas all over the country. We have reached remote areas in Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab, Gilgit Baltistan, KPK, and AJK and provided books to those children who had scant or no exposure to reading for pleasure. Todate, with help from publishers, organizations, children  and friends, we have sent out 485 such libraries. Our aim remains 10 libraries for every year of IBBY’s existence; and we hope to achieve this target before the end of 2020.

Just this month we were able to send 31 book mini IBBY libraries to 337 schools in Azad Jammu Kashmir. We were asked to conduct a training for master trainers in the use of library books to enhance comprehension, but found out the schools didn’t have libraries!! Hoopoe Books, and Big Bad Boo, who have been strong supporters of our work, came forward with a donation and we were able to add mini libraries to our current IBBY library project. 140,602 children have access to these books and we hope to add to the number of children and libraries in the next few months. 

A big thank you to our publisher friends, schools, children, and individuals who have collaborated with immense generosity, and helped us reach so many children in Pakistan with books and joy. 

Basarat Midhat Kazim, October 2020