From Pages to Places: Establishing Reading Corners for Syrian Refugee children in Lebanon’s Non-Formal Education Centers

• In Event: Unlocking Literacy: The Power of Book Corners and Libraries in Transforming Reading Culture

Proposal

Quality children's literature and a shared space for enjoying reading, whether individually or with friends, are essential components of a comprehensive literacy experience. However, many Syrian refugee children in Lebanon are deprived of these crucial elements. According to a report by Human Rights Watch, around 70% of these children are out of school (Human Rights Watch, 2019). For those who do receive an education, most rely on non-formal education (NFE) centers, which are often their primary source of learning. Unfortunately, these centers are severely under-resourced (UNICEF Lebanon, 2020), offering limited exposure to quality books and few opportunities for meaningful engagement with literature. This lack of access to books and reading spaces hampers the development of a love for reading and poses a significant barrier to literacy acquisition among Syrian refugee children.
Under this Library Program, our organization distributed 100-500 books (depending on enrolment) across 140 non-formal education (NFE) centers, benefiting 9995 children. This effort extended beyond mere book distribution; organizations were encouraged to create dedicated reading corners where these books could be displayed and accessed by children during scheduled reading times. The NFE centers were provided with a simple step-by-step guide to establish these reading corners and to support conducting reading activities with the children. To further enhance the program, teachers were trained to conduct engaging reading activities with the children. The primary goal of this initiative was to scale up the concept of providing a common space for reading and to foster a love for reading among the children.
The presentation will describe the process of establishing reading corners and demonstrate how, even with limited resources, these spaces provide children with quality literature and a safe, shared environment for reading on a large scale. It will delve into the support systems and processes that were integral to the success of this model. Additionally, the presentation will cover the training provided to teachers and the various resources used to support NFE centers in setting up these corners. Anecdotal evidence from the program will also be highlighted to showcase the impact of the initiative.
The audience will learn about a cost-effective model for developing Reading Corners at scale in Lebanon, including the specific processes, resources, and collaborations involved. The presentation will cover strategies for fostering a reading culture in resource-limited environments. Additionally, real-life examples and anecdotal evidence will illustrate the impact of the initiative.

Author

• Nivrita Durgvanshi, Room To Read