Kalimat Foundation Launches 20 New Audiobooks For Visually Disabled Children At SIBF 2024

Kalimat Foundation has made a significant impact at the Sharjah International Book Fair 2024 (SIBF). The foundation is dedicated to supporting visually impaired children and promoting inclusive education. They provide books and reading materials to Arab children in need. Their pavilion at the fair has been a vibrant centre of activities, launching 20 new audiobooks, donating a portable library to Morocco, and hosting various workshops.

Amna Al Mazmi, Director of Kalimat Foundation, emphasised the importance of SIBF as a platform for their initiatives. She stated: "The Sharjah International Book Fair is an important platform, offering us an opportunity to showcase our initiatives such as ‘Ara’ and ‘Pledge a Library’, aimed at supporting the Arab children around the world and upholding their right to read and access books. It also fosters the development of partnerships and collaborations with like-minded organisations, paving the way for future initiatives. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our partners who contributed to making this mission possible, especially the publishing houses sharing our noble cause of supporting blind and visually impaired children, and filling the gap of accessible reading material in the MENA region. It is essential for all stakeholders in the publishing industry to come together to achieve this goal."

A key feature of Kalimat Foundation's participation at SIBF 2024 is their release of 20 new audiobook titles. These are specifically designed for visually impaired children. Produced with five leading MENA region publishers—Kalimat Group, Altafarud Design and Publishing Services, Rabie Publishing House, Hudhud Publishing & Distribution, and WOW for Publishing and Educational Services—these books cater to young readers aged 3-12 across various genres.

The "Pledge a Library" initiative saw Kalimat Foundation donate a portable library with 100 Arabic books to Morocco. This gesture was part of Morocco's role as Guest of Honour at SIBF 2024. In collaboration with IBBY Morocco, this effort aims to improve book access for disadvantaged Moroccan children while fostering cultural exchange and literacy.

Workshops Promote Creative Learning

Kalimat Foundation organised workshops in partnership with several entities including the Ministry of Education, Sharjah Private Education Authority, and Emirates Association for Visually Impaired (EAVI). Led by Noura Bin Hadda from 'La Vie Dolls', journalist Samya Ayish, and Nahky Araby language academy, these sessions engaged both sighted and visually impaired students through creative storytelling and hands-on activities.

The foundation's efforts at SIBF highlight its commitment to inclusivity in education. By providing resources like audiobooks and portable libraries, they ensure that all children have access to literature. Their collaborative approach with other organisations strengthens their mission to support visually impaired children across the MENA region.

With inputs from WAM