On the occasion of World Book Day on 7thMarch, Muslim Aid expressed solidarity with development organisations and educational institutions that support children in developing countries by providing access to books and educational resources.
In many developing countries, especially rural areas, children just do not have access to books, libraries, e-technology or educational resources, depriving them of exploring the pleasures of books and reading. Expensive shipping costs prevent importation of even second hand books in sufficient quantity to meet the demand.
A spokesman for Muslim Aid said: "Books and educational resources are vital tools for development both in the UK and internationally. Promoting an understanding and awareness of this amongst future generations will ensure that a world free of poverty in the near future is a real possibility."
Muslim Aid runs several programmes throughout the world in Europe, Africa and Asia which facilitate children with books and educational resources. In Bosnia Muslim Aid implemented Molly the Mobile Library, which visits different schools in order to provide books to pupils and children in remote areas. Muslim Aid's Rainbow Family Child Support Programme ensures that children, whose families cannot afford books, have access to books and educational resources. Our donors, who support children through Rainbow Family Programme, are also able to send story books through our headquarters.