Education Pakistan Project #50476

Book Bikes - Girls Reading to Succeed

by Alif Laila Book Bus Society

Project Report | Mar 9, 2023
Bikes on the go!

By Amna Hassan | CEO

Children are usually very excited and admire this book bike library, and wait for the Librarian to come to their area so they can choose the book of their own choice to read. Children like different story books, some prefer adventurous books whereas some like picture books.

Almost 80 % can read easy books in Urdu as per our latest reading level assessments and as compared to last year their reading levels improved from 50% to 80% in majority communities.

There is a wide range of books in the book bike which keeps updating every three months by the librarian. Children and their parents feel privileged to enjoy such big collection at their doorstep free of cost every week.

Many children specially requestto visit their area after school time, and they want regular visits of the area and with a different range of the books every other day as well. For out of school children this offers basic literacy skills and school readiness in morning visits.

Basic literacy skills and school readiness are essential for all children, regardless of their socioeconomic background. However, these skills are particularly important in low-income communities, where children are more likely to face challenges such as limited access to educational resources and support, as well as family stressors that can negatively impact their development.

Here are some benefits of basic literacy skills and school readiness in low-income communities:

Improved academic performance: Children who enter school with basic literacy skills and a readiness to learn are more likely to perform well academically. They are better equipped to understand and engage with the curriculum, and are more likely to succeed in school.
Increased chances of high school graduation: Children who have a strong foundation in basic literacy skills and school readiness are more likely to stay in school and graduate from high school. This, in turn, opens up opportunities for higher education and better job prospects.
Better social and emotional development: Basic literacy skills and school readiness help children develop important social and emotional skills, such as self-regulation, communication, and empathy. These skills are essential for building positive relationships and navigating social situations throughout their lives.
Increased future earning potential: Graduating from high school and pursuing higher education can lead to higher earning potential in the future. Basic literacy skills and school readiness can lay the foundation for this success.
Improved health outcomes: Children who have access to educational resources and support, including basic literacy skills and school readiness, are more likely to make healthy choices and engage in positive behaviours throughout their lives.

Visited Areas by Book bike in Lahore are;

1- Canal Park

2- Shah Jamal

3- Kuchi Abbadi

4- Shimla Road

5- seven up

6- Nursery Ground

Total Beneficiaries - 5000-5500

We are thankful for your continued support and hoping to take this project to more communities and cities across Pakistan.

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Nov 9, 2022
The Ayesha Jabbar Book Bike!

By Amna Hassan | CEO

Jul 11, 2022
Book Bikes' Progress Report

By Amna Hassan | Programmes Manager

Pakistan's literacy rates are amongst the lowest in the world: Less than 60 percent of the population is literate. The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) estimated in 2016 that around 25 percent of the Pakistani youth is illiterate with 8.2 percent unemployed with no vocational and technical skills.

Mobile libraries bring resources outside of the library's fixed location to users who otherwise may not get a chance to benefit from them thus effectively extending the outreach of the library's safe learning and social development practices.

Starting with one Book Bike, we now run two; one of them being supported by an Ausaid award granted to Ayesha Jabbar. The Book Bike is an initiative launched during the pandemic by Alif Laila Book Bus Society and has been up and running since 2020 in 20 low income communities of Lahore Punjab, Baarkhaan Balochistan and Mardan, KPK. Both Book Bikes have been equipped with 1000+ books and an LED screen that allows children to learn through watching educational videos. This mobile library has been going to communities and providing books to children whose learning was compromised because of school closure. Many hundred children have rushed to the Book Bike to pick out story books to read and enjoy and to watch interesting science, astronomy, craft and “how to make” videos on the screen installed inside the library box.

In April 2022, the book bike running in Mardan was shifted back to Lahore, Punjab while one remains in Balochistan serving different schools and communities. The Book Bike creates an environment conducive to active learning and togetherness, this laying the foundation for the building of strong communities. One of the most classic reasons kids should go to the library is to receive help in finding materials. Though the freedom to choose their own books or other media is critical to developing consistent reading habits, having access to a helpful adult who can help find materials on a variety of topics is key and this purpose is well served by this low cost mobile library.

There is an increasing demand for the Book Bike from many areas of our country which prompted us to improve the original. We are currently experimenting to install an electric motor in it to make it easy to drive and then it can be taken to more areas in less time and more speed.

Thank you for your continued support in making this dream come true for the children of Pakistan.

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