Sharjah: The Kalimat Foundation for Children’s Empowerment (KF) has provided 840 copies of Braille, audio and large-print books to support Dar Al Kutub libraries in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and all Sharjah Public Libraries’ branches.
The initiative is a part of the foundation’s ‘Ara’ initiative, launched to promote awareness about the issues of blind and visually impaired children.
The move is in line with the foundation’s goal to enable children with special needs better access to books and knowledge, which will ensure their social and emotional well-being, improve their education, and better integrate them in society.
Prior to the book donation initiative, a delegation from the foundation visited these libraries to review the quality and quantity of literature offered by the institutions to children suffering from blindness or visual difficulties, and identified the gaps that needed to be filled.
“Supporting libraries with Braille audio-visual books, which are the first batch of books for children in these libraries, is in line with the foundation’s vision and the directives of Shaikha Budoor Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, founder and chairperson of KF, to introduce the most innovative literary initiatives to empower children by ensuring they can fully enjoy their right to read and have access to books,” said Amna Al Mazmi, director of the foundation.
She pointed out that books are a true community treasure, which will “allow our children to broaden their horizons, learn empathy and grow up as a generation of leaders that will serve their nation”.
Sara Al Marzouqi, director of Sharjah Public Libraries, said the Sharjah libraries are now 400 books richer with high-quality content for visually impaired children.
“The emirate has always been committed to instilling in children a love for knowledge, learning and good values, which will govern their actions when they serve their communities. Such initiatives are unique, inclusive and truly outstanding,” she said.
