Ibn Rushd Library

Children of Al Aqaba and neighboring areas continue to benefit from Ibn Rushd Library in so many ways. Apart from book reading sessions, Librarian Shafeqa organized many activities for the children these past few months. Many activities were organized in coordination with other organizations. 

• Shafeqa makes sure children have a good time at the library. After reading books to the children, she engages them in lively discussions. She also encourages children to use their imagination to draw storybook characters. By using simple materials such as plastic dishes, cardboard, and sticks, children create characters from the storybook. Sometimes, children do role play. Shafeqa believes such activities make reading fun!

• The library welcomes visitors from other areas. Children from Tayaseer who don’t have a library are regular visitors of Ibn Rushd Library. Tayaseer is a village not too far from Al Aqaba.

• Ibn Rushd Library also received children from the Jordan Valley who were introduced to the library facilities. Children borrowed books for reading.  

• Under the guidance of librarian Shafeqa, children took part in the “National Reading Week '' celebrations held in the Governorates of Jenin and Tubas. There were many activities such as reading, painting, games, story-telling sessions, an exhibition, etc. 

• The library has launched an art program to polish the artistic talent of young artists in Al Aqaba and neighboring areas. Drawing lessons have been given at the library regularly since February. Children are making great progress and getting better at their craft. Shafeqa has designated one corner of the library for these young artists who sometimes like to draw for hours. 

• Shafeqa organized a series of workshops for teenagers as part of a joint initiative with the Ma’an Development Action Center. These sessions are designed to help children adapt to the changes of life in a positive manner. Teenagers from Al Aqaba and Tayaseer have been attending these sessions since January this year.

• An educational meeting for the children on ‘Gender-Based Violence’ was held in partnership with the Tayaseer Council and the Young Women's Christian Association.

• In the wake of earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, children expressed their sympathy and grief for the affected families. They painted flags of Turkey and Syria to show solidarity with the people in these countries. 

• In partnership with the Young Women's Christian Association, an activity was arranged in which the roles and responsibilities of each individual in society were explained. Children talked about their neighborhood, what they like, what they don't, and what they would like to change. They were encouraged to take the initiatives to help their community. As a first step, the children cleaned up some parts of the village of Tayaseer. 

Because of your support, Ibn Rushd Library has become a vibrant hub for local children. Thank you!

With your support, Ibn Rushd Library continues to provide valuable services to the children of Al Aqaba Village, making a positive difference in their lives. It has become a happy space for children, a place to get away from their challenging environment and the ensuing uncertainty and insecurity of life in a village that is greatly impacted by the Israeli military occupation.

Libraries are essential for the growth and development of children. Introduction to reading early on in their lives has many benefits for children. It cultivates a lifelong love for reading and helps with their ability to focus and concentrate. In a recent reading activity, organized in collaboration with the Red Crescent, the children discussed the stories they were reading. This activity contributed positively to their communication and social skills. While older children can read books on their own, younger children need help with reading. That’s why Shafeqa holds storytelling sessions for younger children.

Reading also stimulates imagination and creativity. Shafeqa understands that the developing brain of a child benefits from this exercise. Therefore, she asked the children to use their imagination to sketch their favorite character from the book they have been reading. Children indulged in this freehand drawing activity and made imaginary characters. 

Ibn Rushd Library also provides a safe space for the community to come together. To develop a sense of community, Shafeqa invited children and their mothers to participate in a session in which they were asked to draw and paint their homes. This participatory session helped children and mothers to express how they see their homes and what they like or dislike. This simple activity helped children and mothers to express themselves freely and helped them bond.  

Talented librarian Sahfeqa continues to work on developing her skills. She actively participates in library training sessions for local librarians. In the pictures below, you can see her participating in a session on adolescents and how to help them get through this phase. She also participated in a training held by the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) on providing psychological support to the children in Area C of the West Bank. Shafeqa is now holding weekly meetings with the children and helping them talk about their challenges. 

Shafeqa has many plans for the future of the library. She believes that the library can benefit from a technological upgrade with the addition of computers and visual tools such as projectors that can help her organize community services. 

Your support for Ibn Rushd Library is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your gift that supports the children of Al Aqaba and their love of reading!