IBBY-Yamada 2023: Malaysia

Literature Therapy for Malaysian Underprivileged Children

IBBY Malaysia developed a series of workshop in bibliotherapy, consisting of two distinct phases. The first phase, developed in the first half of 2023, targeted 90 teachers, volunteers, librarians, and social workers working for and with underprivileged children, who received a full two-day course on bibliotherapy and its use. The second phase of the project involved directly children in the Rohingya Refugee Schools of Gombak, Klang, Penang, and Terengganu. 45 Participants from the first phase workshop were selected to put their newly-acquired know-how and conduct bibliotherapy sessions with these underprivileged children. Both actions were carefully preceded by surveys to understand the expectation and needs of the trainees, and to identify the main problems faced by underprivileged children.

Seven members of IBBY Malaysia, including bibliotherapy specialist Md Sidin Ahmad Ishak were mobilised throughout the year to undertake field visits, planning, development and evaluation.

^{Keywords: Bibliotherapy; Target audience: adults – parents; Target audience: adults – teachers and librarians}