Rickshaw Mobile Library to visit 6000 children

The Camel Library Project, an innovative initiative by Alif Laila Book Bus Society, has made significant strides in extending educational resources across various underserved regions of Pakistan, including Balochistan, Punjab, and Sindh in the last three months. This report summarizes the project's achievements, challenges, and impacts on the communities it serves, focusing on the period under review.

- Umeed Camel Library, Kohlu, Balochistan: Serving 247 children monthly, this library has remarkably improved access to educational materials in remote areas like Killi Qadir and Azizabad. Boys and girls in Kohlu have shown an increased interest in reading, with stories of brave historical figures from Balochistan being favorites.

- Roshan, Mund, Balochistan: With 290 beneficiaries each month, the library faces challenges in recognition but continues to foster a love for learning among children. The stories of Sindbad the Sailor have particularly captured the imaginations of young readers.

- Mashal, Sindh: Educating 250 children monthly, Mashal faces suggestions for teacher training enhancements. Children like Aisha and Rahim have expressed joy in discovering new worlds through books, underscoring the library's role in broadening their horizons.

- Estaal Passo, Balochistan: Benefiting 270 children, feedback highlights areas for improvement in services. Children have been enthusiastic about photography workshops, indicating a growing interest in creative arts alongside reading.

- Chiragh, Gawader: Serving 265 beneficiaries, this library shares similar feedback with Estaal Passo, particularly regarding the enhancement of creative skills among children.

- Nayab, Cholistan, Punjab: With 280 beneficiaries, the lack of internet access poses challenges. However, stories of local heroes have inspired children, fostering a sense of pride in their heritage.

- Khushi2, Rajin Pur: Before its relocation, this library served 255 children, playing a crucial role in encouraging reading habits among girls especially.

- Amal, Sukkur, Sindh: This library has shown satisfactory performance, with 260 monthly beneficiaries. Children have appreciated the variety of books available, with many finding new interests in science and exploration.

- Sakoon Library: With 255 beneficiaries, the library has been praised for its timely reporting and positive engagement with children, highlighting the importance of interactive learning experiences.

Children have shared heartwarming feedback about the libraries. For instance, Haniya from Kohlu mentioned, "The camel library brings us stories from far away lands, and I dream of visiting these places one day." Bilal from Sindh expressed, "Reading has become my adventure. I look forward to every visit of the camel library."

These comments reflect the project's success in not only improving literacy rates among children but also in igniting their imaginations and aspirations. The initiative has provided a gateway to knowledge and learning, enabling children to explore new ideas and cultures.

The Camel Library Project by Alif Laila Book Bus Society has made substantial contributions to the educational landscape in Balochistan, Punjab, and Sindh. Despite facing challenges such as recognition and internet access, the project has successfully fostered a love for reading, expanded children's knowledge, and encouraged creative expression. As the project continues to evolve, it holds the promise of shaping a brighter, more literate future for the children it serves.

This report outlines project activities which took place during and after the easing of lockdown in the Covid-19 global pandemic. We have had to be adaptable and flexible in our project delivery through innovation and experimentation to ensure children continue to gain considerable social and educational benefits despite closed schools and resulting loss of learning.

Our mobile library was not visiting communities during lockdown when the virus was at its height, to ensure the safety of beneficiaries and project staff. We continued the distribution of IBBY book box libraries during this period all over Pakistan, most specifically the effected communities where our Rickshaw mobile library was visiting earlier. We have distributed books within the communities asking the children to keep them and exchange them with friends within the community after cleaning them. This continues to be highly functional due to large book donations from Hoopoe Books and Big Bad Boo. We remain deeply grateful to both organizations.

Once after easing of the lockdown we started visiting the communities following the standard operating procedures and safety measures. We have also initiated the hand washing awareness campaign in the communities by discussing the importance of it especially during the pandemic. Along with it, we emphasized on awareness campaigns with children for tips on fighting the virus.

We are continuing to grow our literature to reflect the changes in society and help children make sense of the new normal. A book focusing on nature and its beauty is in the pipeline as one way to help children cope and stay positive. We have also designed child friendly posters to help convey health messages on sanitation and hand washing. These were distributed around Lahore and in other cities.

Our COVID mantra in the communities:
Wash your hands
Cover your face
Keep a distance

After lifting of the smart lockdown, we are able to resume our community visits five days a week following the precautions and the children are very excited to have their very own Library wala back in the “mohallas”.

*Mohalla=Community