Posting in support of Story Sunbirds and IBBY fundraiser for libraries in Gaza, which have been decimated by the genocide. They're halfway to their goal with one week to go, please share and support!
Here's the donation link: https://www.ibby.org/awards-activities/ibby-children-in-crisis-fund/story-sunbirds-libraries-are-havens-fundraiser
In 2008, two IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People) Palestine libraries were established in Gaza. They were safe havens and refuges for kids where learning, books, culture, psychological support, and community were shared. Since 2024, both libraries have been bombed, one completely destroyed. The librarians are displaced and have harrowing personal stories. Yet they still do what they can to meet with and care for kids.
From Abla, one of the librarians: "The library was the warm place for many children to express their talents and creativity. When the library started, it was a small room. The number of books was small but ... it grew and developed ... it was bombarded and destroyed. We rebuilt the library, with equipment and furniture.
Before this genocide we had almost six thousand books, among them scientific and medical encyclopedias. The activities of the library were varied, the educational and cultural aspects, borrowing books, internal and external borrowing ... drama, theater, popular games, heritage, dancing. There was emphasis on the psychological aspect, because our children are always in need of stress-release activities.
We implemented many psycho-social activities. We would [take] day trips to heritage places in Gaza and parks."
Recent testimoy from Abla:
"...The situation has become difficult, and every day we count the minutes and seconds until
this suffering and genocide ends.
Our situation in a camp awaits the dawn of a bright day that will bring news of a truce or
the end of the war, so that we can breathe a sigh of relief and begin the life that God has
given us and that many usurpers have deprived us of...
Our children love love, but they are deprived of it. They love peace and hate its opposites,
but they are deprived of peace!"
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