On 19 February the Al-Maghazi Community Rehabilitation Society’s library launched a book exhibition entitled, Latest Addition, at its offices in the Maghazi camp at the centre of the Gaza Strip. The exhibition is part of the Partnership for Development Project, which is funded by the Swiss-based Drosos Foundation, and managed by the Qattan Centre for the Child. The project aims at expanding and developing the Society’s library.
Over 1,000 books published by several Arabic publishing houses in Cairo were displayed over two days, representing multiple genres including history, science, geography, education, fiction and academics. There was a great turnout of both children and adults.
A delegation from the Drosos Foundation in Munich visited the exhibition, including CEO Dr. Richard Brogle, Programme Manager Carole Gürtler, and Project Manager Stephanie Hofer. They also visited the Qattan Centre for the Child and met with its Director, Nehaia Abu Nahla, and visited the Foundation offices in Ramallah, where they met with Executive Director Ziad Khalaf, and Nida Tawil Disi, Director of Communications and Resource Development.
The partnership between Drosos and the Foundation began in 2010 with the launch of the Partnership for Development Project, which is managed by the Qattan Centre for the Child, in partnership with the Al-Maghazi Community Rehabilitation Society.
For four years the QCC has shared its expertise in childhood development, children’s libraries, and children’s cultural, arts, and educational programmes with the Society, and has helped to develop its staff’s administrative and IT skills. The project is also helping to improve the Society’s library by refurbishing the interior, growing its book collection, and updating its computer systems. The project budget amounts to $480,120 ($362,850 from Swiss Drosos Foundation and $117,270 from the A.M. Al-Qattan Foundation through the Qattan Centre for the Child).