The Bank of Palestine (BoP) and A. M. Qattan Foundation signed an agreement to give renewed support to the Mobile Library, a project implemented by the Child Centre - Gaza (CCG). According to the agreement, the BoP will provide co-funding to support the Mobile Library activities for another two years. The BoP has sponsored the project since its inception and contributed to purchasing and equipping the Mobile Library Bus.
The agreement was signed by Mr. Rushdi Ghalayini, PoB General Manager, and Mr. Ziad Khalaf, AMQF Director General.
The Mobile Library project contributes to broadening cultural, artistic and innovative horizons of children. It promotes the love of reading, boosts the appreciation of arts, and creates an interactive educational environment for children’s development in disadvantaged areas.
The project targets preschool children as well as children in primary school up to 15 years of age.
“The Mobile Library project is a model we are proud of. It is an example of cooperation between civil society organisations and the private sector. National capital is invested in the promotion of children’s culture. Thanks to this partnership, we believe that the vital opportunities furnished to thousands of children throughout the Gaza Strip over the past years are a key success story of using the domestic resources of our people and children’s culture.” Khalaf said.
The Mobile Library Bus was received in February 2015 and put to service in April 2015. Targeting children in the age group 6-15 years, a wide array of publications includes interesting books and stories from different publishers and bookshops. Tailored to encourage reading, the Mobile Library Bust also implements a set of activities and events, such as storytelling, free reading, film screenings, thinking games, popular games, and art activities.
Ghalayini expressed his pride in the BoP support to the Mobile Library project. “This is one of the most important educational projects targeting children. It contributes to encouraging our children to read and learn. It expands cultural, artistic and creative horizons and creates and interactive educational environment that nurtures the development of children in marginalised areas.” Ghalayini explained.
“The BoP has believed in this idea since its inception. The project brings knowledge and non-curricular books to our children in various geographies. Library activities suit different age groups.” Ghalayini said. He also highlighted the BoP support of the Mobile Library has been part and parcel of the Bank’s corporate social responsibility, where education, youth support and creativity are a topmost priority. The BoP earmarks almost 5 percent of its annual profits in support of corporate social responsibility projects and activities.
The project is a major step in the CCG career. As a cornerstone in the promotion of reading, the Mobile Library breaks new ground to stimulate and encourage children to go to libraries.
Between April 2015 and March 2018, the Mobile Library delivered services to 86,764 children at 216 schools and institutions across the Gaza Strip.
The agreement was signed in the presence of the BoP staff Naser Bakier, Chief of Corporate Business Officer, Thaer Hamayel, Chief of Business Retail Officer, and Hiba Tantash and Ramzi Ata, Social Responsibility Department. On behalf of the AMQF, the signing ceremony was attended by Fida Touma, Deputy Director General, Nader Dagher, Director of Communication and Public Relations, and Majd Hajjaj, Resource Development Manager.