RAJA KHAYRAT

Morocco- Moroccan cultural activist Jamila Hassoun launched a rural school project called “The Book Caravan (la Caravane du livre)” after realizing that books had to be taken off their shelves and brought directly to potential readers in the more isolated regions of Morocco in 1995. The aim of the project is to encourage children in rural areas to read.

 From 1993 to 2011, Jamila Hassoune managed a family bookstore where she created a forum for cultural debates and discussions. “At the bookstore, there was a space for students to read books without having to buy the book. Over time, this space turned into a space to host writers and thinkers to engage with readers and present their books,” Jamila Hassoun told NuJINHA.

‘I did not want the books to remain on dusty shelves’

 Jamila Hassoun decided to launch a project for potential readers in the more isolated regions of Morocco. “I did not want the books in my library to remain on dusty shelves due to low literacy rate. I launched a rural school project called ‘The Book Caravan’ in 1995 after realizing that books had to be taken off their shelves and brought directly to potential readers in the more isolated regions of Morocco. We have held meetings in rural areas and distributed books to young people and children. We work in cooperation with educational institutions and arts and culture organizations. The Book Caravan is like a mobile book fair, uniting book-lovers.”

Success cannot be achieved without encouraging young people, especially girls who drop out of school due to financial reasons, to study, Jamila Hassoun underlined. “Children are reluctant readers because they use the internet more. I remember that we used to have a reading room at home. In rural areas, children are interested in books, the pictures and stories in books.”

She aims to expand her project

Jamla Hassoun also told us that she aimed to expand her project. “I want to include art and cultural activities in my project. My aim is to promote a reading culture in society and to provide a space, where writers and readers can discuss books.”