We Love Reading

In the past 4 months, We have conducted seven trainings in three cities in Jordan Amman, Jerash (in Gaza camp) and Rusaifa. The total number of new ambassadors is 190.

In addition to that We have trained 145 new trainees on our online training platform, and new ambassadors have joined our ambassador network from Mexico, Uganda, and Kenya.

We also published a study under the title “Social networks, empowerment, and wellbeing among Syrian refugee and Jordanian women: Implications for development and social inclusion”.

This study examines the social networks of Syrian refugee and Jordanian women living in Amman, with a focus on their empowerment and well-being. The researchers conducted surveys and participatory network mapping to gather data on network structure and composition, and also explored the local meanings of empowerment. The survey results revealed that networks were more homogeneous for Syrians, smaller for very poor households, and larger networks were associated with higher levels of psychological empowerment, motivation to lead, and perceived social support. However, as networks became more kin-based, empowerment levels decreased. The study found that community volunteers had more diverse networks, reported higher levels of resourcefulness and psychological well-being, and named fewer female, married, and kin-based peers. Qualitative data indicated that women viewed empowerment as the ability and proof of existence and used volunteering work to diversify their networks beyond the home. The findings suggest that expanding opportunities for volunteer work can help diversify social networks and empower urban poor women, thereby supporting their community leadership roles and facilitating their response to social change.

A total of 3268 books were distributed in the past 4 months, each woman received a book package to start her own library, the package contains 21 books that are fun, creative, and unleash the children’s imaginations. Books are developed according to set criteria and methodology, taking into account factors such as theme, relevancy to the children’s culture and background, language, and age-appropriateness. The books cover a variety of themes, including environmental awareness, empathy, gender, non-violence, disabilities, and refugees. Your donations also helped us conduct research to assess the impact of the program on children’s resilience and self-compassion.

We have also distributed more copies of our latest book Mama’s Magic which is based on the story of a Syrian refugee mother and her daughter who through We Love Reading have discovered the magic of reading and becoming changemakers! A total of 190 copies of Mama the storyteller were distributed in the past 4 months.

Our captivating and thought-provoking children's storybook, "Balloons Queen." This enchanting tale takes young readers on a remarkable journey, offering a unique and engaging perspective on the pressing issue of climate change.

"Balloons Queen" stands as a testament to our commitment to educating and empowering young minds about the importance of environmental stewardship. With its delightful storytelling, vibrant illustrations, and carefully crafted narrative, the book captivates readers while conveying essential messages about the global challenge of climate change.

Links:

• Our latest research article