Sharjah, July 23 , 2026 : Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Vice Chairperson of the Board of Trustees
of Kalimat Foundation, led a joint visit by the Foundation and the UAE Board on Books for Young
People (UAEBBY) to Emirates Humanitarian City in Abu Dhabi.
The visit formed part of a cultural and humanitarian initiative designed to strengthen the role of
books in the lives of children living in humanitarian settings, while using reading, art and creative
activities to support learning, self-expression and social engagement.
During the visit, Kalimat Foundation gifted a portable library containing 100 books through its
“Pledge a Library” initiative. The Foundation also distributed 50 copies of House of Wisdom, to
children participating in the programme.
This marked Kalimat Foundation’s second contribution to children at Emirates Humanitarian
City, following an earlier contribution of 400 books. Together, the contributions have expanded
access to educational and cultural resources while creating further opportunities for inspiration,
interaction and creativity.
UAEBBY also contributed 200 books through its “Kan Yama Kan” initiative, reflecting a shared
commitment to bringing books closer to children across different communities and
circumstances.
The visit included an interactive cultural programme combining reading, art and creative
expression. The activities demonstrated how books can enrich children’s experiences, broaden
their knowledge and strengthen their sense of stability and belonging, adding a valuable cultural
dimension to the comprehensive environment provided by Emirates Humanitarian City for
resident children and families.
The visiting delegation included Marwa Al Aqroubi, President of the UAE Board on Books for
Young People (UAEBBY); Esraa Al Mulla, a member of UAEBBY’s Advisory Council; and
representatives of Kalimat Foundation.
The visit also featured a tour of the school and several community facilities, where the
delegation was briefed on the educational and humanitarian services available to children and
families, as well as the City’s efforts to provide an integrated environment that responds to their
educational, social and humanitarian needs.
An interactive programme supporting children
The visit featured an interactive cultural programme attended by 50 children between the ages
of six and 10.
The programme included a reading of Grandfather’s Tarboosh, presented by Noor Al Louh from
UAEBBY, followed by “The Magical Tarboosh”, an activity encouraging children to use their
imagination and create stories of their own.
The children also took part in a creative workshop, designing photo frames inspired by the
story’s setting and characters.
By combining listening, participation and visual expression, the programme transformed the
book from reading material into a space for play, imagination and interaction. It also
encouraged children to participate in group activities that foster joy, confidence and
communication.
Knowledge as part of comprehensive human development
Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Vice Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Kalimat
Foundation, said: “The relationship between reading and knowledge on the one hand, and
humanitarian action on the other, has evolved significantly over recent decades. While
humanitarian efforts once focused primarily on meeting essential needs, the global
understanding of human development has expanded to include building capabilities, widening
opportunities and improving quality of life.”
She added: “As global awareness grows around the role of knowledge and culture in advancing
human development, this approach must be strengthened through meaningful partnerships that
bring different institutions together around a shared vision for people and their future. Today’s
challenges are too interconnected for any single organisation to address alone. Collaborative
action allows us to expand our impact and turn individual initiatives into sustainable pathways
capable of creating lasting change.”
Books give children confidence and hope
Marwa Al Aqroubi, President of UAEBBY, said: “Stories may not be able to change the
circumstances children are living through, but they can offer a sense of safety and help them
imagine a brighter future. A book opens a window onto new worlds and gives children the
opportunity to learn, express themselves and discover who they are.”
She added: “Through the ‘Kan Yama Kan’ initiative, we work to deliver books to children who
face barriers in accessing learning resources. We believe that knowledge is the right of every
child and that a story can serve as a bridge connecting children to the wider world while giving
them confidence and hope.”
Expanding access to knowledge and creative expression
The visit highlighted the role partnerships between cultural and humanitarian institutions can
play in extending the reach and impact of programmes for children.
By integrating culture into humanitarian action, such partnerships can transform books into
effective tools for supporting learning, building confidence and strengthening hope.
The initiative reflects the belief that children’s needs extend beyond essential care and services
to include their right to knowledge, imagination and creative expression.
