BOOKS FOR AFGHAN CHILDREN

Millions of illustrated children’s books written by Idries Shah have been distributed across Afghanistan since 2006 by our friends and partners at Hoopoe Books. With Hoopoe’s support, ISF is now gearing up to distribute its own editions to Afghan children. Our aim is to put at least one copy of our books into every Afghan child’s hands. By doing so we hope to inspire a new generation.
Millions of illustrated children’s books written by Idries Shah have been distributed across Afghanistan since 2006 by our friends and partners at Hoopoe Books. With Hoopoe’s support, ISF is now gearing up to distribute its own editions to Afghan children. Our aim is to put at least one copy of our books into every Afghan child’s hands. By doing so we hope to inspire a new generation.

ABOUT THIS PROJECT

The first of ISF’s new children’s books to be sent to Afghanistan is Speak First and Lose. Written by Idries Shah and beautifully illustrated by the brilliant Daby Zainab Faidhi, the story shows us what could happen if adults failed to resolve their differences in an intelligent, thoughtful way. More titles will follow later in the year, including The Tale of the Sands, The Horrible Dib Dib, and After a Swim – all made possible thanks to generous donations. These aren’t your garden-variety picture books. Funny, playful and hugely entertaining, they enshrine – in their characters, plots and imagery – patterns and relationships which increase our understanding, flexibility, and breadth of vision.

 

 

Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Laureate for Peace 2014, has shown her support of the ISF book donations to Afghanistan, saying: 'The Idries Shah Foundation is doing a commendable job by sending thousands of books for children in Afghanistan. This war-stricken country could be healed by books and learning. Reading makes a nation great and the books sent by The Idries Shah Foundation will really help.’

 

 

 

 

 

In the West most children don’t think twice when given illustrated books, or when they’re told to write their names in the front. But in Afghanistan things are very different. For most children, books are a rare commodity. At ISF, we believe that all children have the right not only to have access to illustrated story books, but the right as well to own their own books. In this endeavour, we have made a start by collaborating with the Hope House Orphanage in the Panjshir Valley, part of the Mahboba’s Promise Charity.

More about this project

Safia Shah on Releasing Seed Bombs of Ideas

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Safia Shah on Releasing Seed Bombs of Ideas

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“I witnessed pure wonder” – Children in Afghanistan receive first books

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“I witnessed pure wonder” – Children in Afghanistan receive first books

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