On 24 October 2017, the Child Centre - Gaza (CCG) of the A. M. Qattan Foundation (AMQF) celebrated the Mobile Library in the context of a project the CCG implements with co-funding from the Bank of Palestine (BoP). The Mobile Library project contributes to broadening cultural, artistic and innovative horizons of children in disadvantaged areas, boosting their appreciation of arts, and creating an interactive educational environment for their growth.
In his address, AMQF Director General Ziad Khalaf highlighted that the Mobile Library, which was launched in April 2015, has delivered cultural, artistic and recreational services to children in remote and marginalised areas throughout the Gaza Strip. According to Khalaf, the Mobile Library aims to promote the love of reading and furnish opportunities to children to learn, search and investigate. It helps create a new generation who is capable of analysis, problem solving, inquiry, and coping with challenges. “This is an ongoing task that allows opportunities, promotes skills and empowers children in diverse fields so that they can be active and productive members of the society.” Khalaf explained.
Khalaf concluded that the Mobile Library “travels around the Gaza Strip and collaborates with schools, children’s libraries and cultural centres working on childhood issues. It offers all that is new and useful to children.”
Alaa Al Redwan, BoP Deputy General Manager, said that the Mobile Library “is part and parcel of the BoP’s corporate social responsibility, of which education is a topmost priority. Education ensures sustainability, informed use of resources, creation of an enabling environment for educated generations, and a sustainable economy.”
The ceremony featured a performance of Hakawati as well as songs, Mawtini (My Homeland) and Peace to Gaza, by children of the Qattan Choir. Children of the Performing Arts Club performed a popular Dabke dance. The ceremony was concluded by piano music, designed by the CCG IT Unit team in the context of Expotech Palestine 2016 in Gaza. Children of the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music played the piano.
The Mobile Library was received in February 2015 and put to service in April 2015. Targeting children in age group 6-15 years, a variety of publications includes interesting books and stories from different publishers. Tailored to encourage reading, the Mobile Library also implements a set of activities and events, such as storytelling. Children can also participate in cultural, artistic and recreational activities alongside these activities and events. Between April 2015 and October 2017, the Mobile Library Bus worked with a total of 53,579 children across 170 institutions in the Gaza Strip.