REACHING FLOOD AFFECTED CHILDREN IN PAKISTAN

**Report on Humara Kutubkhanas (Our Libraries) in Sindh (Jamshoro and Sukkur)**

**Introduction:**

Humara Kutubkhanas, also known as "Our Libraries," are vital educational resources established in the flood-affected regions of Sindh, specifically in Jamshoro and Sukkur. These libraries are a commendable initiative undertaken by the Alif Laila Book Bus Society, generously funded by GlobalGiving and the Children in Crisis Fund. These libraries have become an invaluable asset to the local communities, especially the students and children who eagerly access them.

**Library Locations and Strengths:**

In Sukkur, the libraries are strategically situated in the following schools:

1. FAS Basheerabad - Students Strength: 220
2. FAS Allah Abad - Students Strength: 199
3. FAS Sheikh Muhallah - Students Strength: 230
4. FAS Tando Thatti - Students Strength: 190
5. GBPS Ali Muhd Shanbani - Strength: 180
6. GBPS Kher Muhd Bunbhro - Strength: 150
7. Munzar Public School Sukkur - Strength: 240

In Jamshoro, libraries are located in the following schools:

1. FAS Primary School Mohd Khan Brohi - Strength: 420
2. FAS Primary School Essa Dal - Strength: 538
3. ESSP Sojhero Girls Elementary School Manzoorabad - Strength: 371
4. ESSP Sojhero Girls Elementary School Khanoth - Strength: 343
5. ESSP Sojhero Girls Elementary School Wada Chhachhar - Strength: 473
6. ESSP Sojhero Girls Elementary School Aamri - Strength: 260
7. ESSP Sojhero Girls Elementary School Lakki Shah Sadar - Strength: 137

**Library Feedback:**

Overall, the feedback from both teachers and students has been overwhelmingly positive. The libraries have become an essential part of the educational landscape, fostering a love for reading and learning. Here are some notable comments from teachers and students:

*Teachers:*

- "Our students and teachers are enthusiastic about visiting the library. It's an invaluable resource for our school."
- "The training provided by Alif Laila has empowered us to make the most of the library and storytelling in our teaching."
- "The library's multimedia and television offerings, especially Alif Laila stories, are engaging and educational."
- "We appreciate the comprehensive collection of books, although we would love to see more titles related to mathematics and science."
- "The library staff's efficiency and dedication are commendable. They actively participate in library activities."

*Students:*

- "We love spending time in the library and engaging in various activities."
- "The library is easily accessible, and we are grateful for this initiative as many of us didn't have access to such facilities before."
- "Listening to stories and puppet shows is so much fun, especially for the younger students."
- "We enjoy artwork and creative activities in the library."
- "The library has become a hub of knowledge and creativity for us."

**Future Plans:**

Looking ahead, the Alif Laila Book Bus Society aims to enhance the physical space of the libraries to further enrich the learning environment. This expansion will enable more students and teachers to benefit from these valuable resources. Additionally, training sessions for teachers and more diverse book acquisitions are in the pipeline to continue enriching the educational experience of the children in these flood-affected areas.

In conclusion, Humara Kutubkhanas are making a significant difference in the lives of students and teachers in Sindh. These libraries are not only fostering a love for reading and learning but also providing essential educational resources to communities in need. With ongoing support and development, these libraries will continue to positively impact the education landscape in the region.

Introduction

The recent floods in Pakistan have caused widespread damage to infrastructure and communities, including schools and libraries. In response to this, the Alif Laila Book Bus Society has come forward to support the rebuilding and renovation efforts in affected areas. This report aims to provide a comprehensive update on the progress made in the renovation of schools and libraries in flood-affected regions of Pakistan.

Schools

To date, a total of seven school libraries have been renovated in the affected regions of Jamshoro Sindh. These libraries were selected based on the severity of the damage and the number of students who attend. The renovation work has included the repair of roofs, walls, and floors, as well as the replacement of damaged furniture and equipment. The renovated school libraries called Humara Kutubkhana (our library) are now operational and serving the needs of local communities. The schools have been equipped with new books, stationery, and educational materials to support the education of students.

Libraries

The renovation of seven libraries in affected regions has been completed, with work ongoing on an additional seven libraries in phase two and another seven in phase three. The renovations have included the repair of roofs, walls, and floors, as well as the replacement of damaged books and equipment. In addition, new shelves and cabinets have been installed to store the library's collections.LED is also installed for the digital library facilities and video storytelling sessions and puppet shows supported by solar panels on roofs to face electricity challenges. The renovated libraries are now open to children and serve the needs of local communities. New books and educational materials have been provided to support the education and literacy efforts in the region.

Conclusion

The renovation of school libraries in flood-affected regions of Pakistan by Alif Laila Book Bus Society is making steady progress. Completing these projects will help restore educational and cultural resources to communities, supporting their long-term recovery from the floods. Further efforts will be made to continue this important work and to ensure that the communities affected by the floods have access to the resources they need to rebuild and thrive.