Welcome to El-Sharifa Fatima Children's Library



A library is not just a place that houses books, it is a place where children learn to explore and imagine a world beyond their own.


THE STORY
EXPLORE THE LIBRARY

THE STORY .. Baghdad is the starting point



WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE A CHILD IN IRAQ?


Everyone worldwide may know what is like to be a child in Iraq. The children of Iraq (account for half of Iraq’s population of 29 million people) are heirs to conflicts, dictatorship, war, sanctions, and internal strife and terrorism. You can read the UNICEF report to get further information.


The main questions are: How to change a life of an Iraqi child? How to help an Iraqi child? And How to realize objectives and goals?


It is quite simple and easy to talk about the current situation, but what is really needed is to see things real on the ground. Hundreds of civil society organization are now in Iraq, most of them talk about Democracy, Human rights, no violence, women rights and equality, but unfortunately very few did something on the ground to help Iraqis and their children. What is really needed in now is a real credible work, to see the problem and to act helping to overcome it.


El-Sharifa Fatima Children's Library is a very special library within the Children's Central Hospital in Baghdad - Iraq. It is very special because it is the first of its kind in an Iraqi hospital. The Library serves underprivileged Iraqi children suffering from chronic diseases by giving them the spirit of hope.


El-Sharifa Fatima Children's Library offers a variety of children's programs including teaching, reading, drawing, handcrafts, entertainment, competitions, among others. Most importantly it gives hope to sick children with chronic diseases such as cancer and renal failure, as well as psychological problems.


Unlike other Arabic countries, we found it was difficult to get children books and stories in Iraq, as well as children TV programs and movies. We hope that through this library we will be able to encourage publishers and TV stations in Iraq to focus to a certain extent on children's literature and programs.


With your help and support we hope to give Iraqi children hope in a time of crisis. We hope that this library will be in every Children's hospital in Iraq.


Thank you!



HRH Princess Dr Nisreen El-Hashemite
RASIT's Executive Director



THE FIRST CHILDREN'S LIBRARY IN IRAQ
reviving hope .. building optimism



THE LIBRARY'S STORY.. IN BRIEF



On 25 November 2009, RASIT’s Executive Director HRH Dr Princess Nisreen El-Hashemite accompanied by Noof Al-Falahi, Mustafa Al-Dabagh, Mustafa Al-Lami, and Assim Al-Daghstani visited the Children’s Central Hospital in Baghdad for the purpose of decorating the halls and children’s rooms, and distribute drawing books, colors, candies and toys. During the visit, the Princess and Volunteers noticed the poor hospital services, old beds and outdated equipment, no functions for the children, and the lack of counselling service.


Many Children were scared from RASIT’s team as they thought they are coming to give them injections, while others were sad or just crying. Most of the children do not go to school regularly because of their illnesses. Parents were sitting knowing nothing about the destiny of their sick children.


Once received the gifts, the children were excited and keen to learn writing, go back to school or study, and even to draw. Children and parents did not want the team to leave, they found someone to talk to, to play with, and smile for them. RASIT’s team managed to put a smile on children’s faces that were before full of sadness and pain, and raised the spirit of hope in their families.



HOW WE RESPOND ...?



Action is the key to Success



ESTABLISHING THE LIBRARY



Following the visit, the Executive Director HRH Dr Princess Nisreen El-Hashemite met with the four volunteers and discussed with them the idea of establishing a library for the children.


The Executive Board accepted the proposals and the funding for it will be through El-Sharifa Fatima Fund.


The four Volunteers elected Miss Noof Al-Falahi to be The Director of the Library. The Hospital Management allocated the room in the hematology division.


The room supposed to be a play room but was locked and never opened to the children. Within 4 days, the room has changed completely into a new look, and the library became a reality.


The children and their families were looking at the team while working and were asking all the time when it will open its doors? Each child was talking about what he/she wants to do, some say they want to read stories, others they want to feel they are back to schools, another said they want to learn English, etc. One of the Children his name is Abdullah helped in organizing the books and he donated 4 educational books that he bought for the library.


Now there is a children’s library within the hospital.

The first of its kind in an Iraqi hospital



THE LIBRARY ACTIVITIES



  • Teaching Lessons: Reading, writing, Elementary School Curriculum, English Language, and preparing children for school's exams.
  • Handcrafts and Drawing Sessions.
  • Story Time.
  • Social Behavioral and Manners lessons.
  • Movie Time.
  • Music Together and Entertainment activities.
  • Question & Answer Day: An open day for children to ask about any subject.
  • Competitions: Best story / article written by children Best Drawing painted by children.
  • What is Your Dream? Encouraging children to write their dreams, and if possible we will make it true.
  • Discover Iraq and the world: History, Pictures, and Stories.
  • Family Day: As most patients are from different providences in Iraq and hardly to see their siblings while hospitalized. Therefore, Through the Family Day we will invite siblings to be with their brothers and sisters to have fun together.
  • Open Day with a Celebrity: inviting a celebrity that children admire to be with them for a day.
  • Parents Day is a family support group, something that does not exist in Iraq. This day is designed to help families deal with the consequences of a loved one’s diseases.


OUR FUTURE PLAN



El-Sharifa Fatima Children’s Library has been of great support for patients in the Children’s Central Hospital in Baghdad.


The Library’s impact extends well beyond merely teaching a child literacy skills. The children have been able to access a variety of activities and programs organized by the Library’s volunteers. With books as a common meeting point, children not only build up self-confidence and a sense of community but also acquire the social skills required for the future.


El-Sharifa Fatima Fund 2030 vision is to establish 50 children’s libraries whether located in a children’s hospital or for public. Further, The Fund will work closely with schools in least developed countries to establish El-Sharifa Fatima Children’s Library within it.



THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING US



Since 1968, RASIT has been an organization with an infinite vision into the future and will continue this tradition of measureless services for the benefit of mankind.


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