This International Women’s Day, Beirut and Beyond highlights the work of Palestinian women leaders in Gaza Camp in Jordan.
For the month of March, we are showcasing the Hopes Library in Gaza and raising the 2025 operation costs of $12,000. This includes the salary of a full-time librarian from Gaza Camp.
Beirut and Beyond established the Hopes Library in 2018 at the request of our partner, Hopes for Training, Education, and Development.
*Employment of a young woman from the camp.
For seven years, a refugee woman from the camp has received employment and professional mentorship from Global Outreach libraries. We have watched how this investment in one woman has impacted the entire camp. Our current librarian, Shaima’ is growing and expanding the library to meet the needs of her community!
*The library is a trusted place for community, information, and growth.
“Mona used to come to the library with her daughter to quickly grab books without speaking to anyone, as if she preferred to stay away from interaction. However, over time, and with her participation in the library's activities, changes started to appear. She became more confident and began forming friendships with other women. Her visits were no longer just quick stops; they turned into regular meetings with her new friends, and they would agree to meet at the library. Over time, Mona transformed into a different person, full of confidence and social interaction, with the library becoming a place where she and her friends could bond and share happiness.”
*The impact of the only library in a refugee camp.
Over 10% of the camp accessed library services in 2024 either by attending an event or checking out a book. The library hosting 19 events in 2024, each designed to meet the needs of the community. These events included reading marathons, training sessions, poetry readings, healthcare workshops, art therapy, and movie nights!
* Palestinian Women Leadership
Shaima’ has continued to grow professionally and personally. She has become a leader the camp because of her position as a librarian. The biggest library in Jordan hosting a country-wide reading marathon last September. Shaima’ was choosen to coordinate the reading marathon for the entire camp because the partnership she built with the library. She continues to build relationships with libraries outside of the camp, other NGOs and authors.
We have fun events throughout March for the Hopes library operation costs!
3/13 Live call with Shaima' via Zoom. Join us to meet Shaima’ and hear about her work at the library!
3/16 Art Sale in Boulder. All proceeds will support Hopes Library 2025 Operations Costs.
3/19 March Donor Drop-in. We’ll give you updates on the library!
4/6 Fundraiser at the Phoenician Kabob. Come have dinner with us at Phoenician Kabob and they will donate a portion of your meal to the Hopes Library!
OR Give a donation online!
Go to our GIVE PAGE and GIVE a tax-deductible donation TODAY! Just put Hopes in the memo.
