Together with our partners worldwide, we work everywhere from refugee camps, prisons and hospitals to remote schools where there has never been a library before. Our partners focus on everything from girls’ education to fighting poverty – and we work with them to provide the books and inspiration people need to discover the power of reading. In the places where it’s hardest to become a doctor or where teachers struggle to encourage children to dream big, that’s where we’re determined to put the power of books in people’s hands.

To find out more please visit Book Aid International website: www.bookaid.org

Habiba fled Afghanistan alone with her two children after her husband was killed. Now they live in northern Greece, and books are helping her family begin to rebuild. This is her story.

“I have come from Afghanistan and I have two children. My son is five and my daughter is 10.
In my country there was war. My husband was not a soldier. He went out and he did not come back. Some people killed him.

And for my son – it was dangerous. People wanted to take him. So I had to leave, I had to find a safe place for the children.
I travelled through my country to Iran then to here. It was very hard to come so far and travel alone with two children.

We arrived in Greece four months ago. We stayed in Moira [the refugee reception centre on the island of Lesvos] for three months. It was very bad.
But now we have moved camps, things are more calm. This camp is very good – it is quiet and I can come to the library. It is a very good library.
Today I have borrowed two books – one for my son who is five years old. It is about Poppy Cat. The story is good for my son. I think for my children story books and alphabet books are good. These will help them learn English. The other book I have borrowed is for me. It is a book of poetry – it’s a great book.

I have a lot of hope for my children’s future – that there will be no war. Just peace.”