Wishing to quench the thirst of books for children in remote and disadvantaged areas, Raheema Jalal – a female high school principal has established the camel library project since August 2020. This project also has a cooperation. from the Women’s Education Foundation and the Library Association on the bus. The two organizations have carried out various children’s library projects in Pakistan over the past 38 years.
Library of books on camel back.
Three times a week, the Roshan camel brings books to four villages in the Kech district and stays for about two hours each. Roshan camel carries all kinds of books from stories, scientific knowledge, textbooks. The kids can read on site or borrow books to take home and return at their next visit. Murad Ali, Roshan camel owner who also brings books to the villages, said: “He was surprised when he first heard about the camel library project but thought it was the best way to get around. He gradually enjoyed it. trips and the joy of seeing children with books to read.”
In addition, the remuneration for this job is no less than when transporting other goods by camel. Currently, the project founders want more funding to expand the camel library’s reach to more places, besides lending, they can also donate books to children.
The children were excited and happy when Mrs. Jalal and the library arrived on camel back to the village. (Photo by Reuters)
Raheema Jalal, principal of Zubeda Jalai Girls’ School, who co-founded the library on camel’s back, said she started the idea because she wanted children in her poor countryside to continue to learn to read . “Children can’t go to school during the day, and then pay for extra lessons in the evening. But with this mobile library, they can supplement their knowledge completely for free, in addition to reading books they read. They will spend less time on harmful games. They will gain useful knowledge for the future.”
Children out welcoming Roshan camels. (Photo by Reuters).
According to Ms. Raheema Jalal, with an operating budget of about US7/month (more than VND 2.5 million), her “camel library” project hopes to have more books for camels to have. could expand the delivery of books to at least 40 villages. “Currently we are maintaining the library at a cost of about 117 USD per month. If there are more donors, more books, we hope to expand this model to more remote places. Currently the camel library only operates in the Mand area. With the positive response from the children, we will try to expand this library.”
Many children in Balochistan are eager to read books. (Photo by Reuters).
Balochistan – Pakistan’s largest province is an arid mountain and desert region in the southwestern part of the country, with a population of more than 12.3 million. It is also the country’s poorest province and has only 40% literacy rates – the lowest in the country. About 62% of children between the ages of 5 and 16 in the rural areas of Balochistan do not attend school. The two co-founders of the “Library on a Camel” project are looking for funding in the hope that the camel library will reach more villages, lending or giving books to more children.