UAEBBY launches Kan Yama Kan 2022 book donation

Kan Yama Kan – meaning ‘Once upon a time’, the most common introduction for children’s stories –   has called on members of the community and institutions in the UAE to support the campaign by donating books and children's stories regardless of the language they are written. The books can be placed in the donation boxes at the House of Wisdom, and Youth Centres in Sharjah; and Khalifa Park Library and Al Bahia Library in Abu Dhabi, Knowledge Library in Al Dhafra, and Zayed Central Library in Al Ain.

Commenting on the donation drive, Marwa Al Aqroubi, President of UAEBBY, said: "The Kan Yama Kan initiative carries a message of love from the UAE to underprivileged children world over with no access to knowledge sources that can help them change their realities. The donation drive is aimed at helping younger generations of refugees to advance their skills and expand their knowledge in order to forge a bright future. We truly believe that a small story read by a child can make a huge impact on his/her life."

She added: "We wanted the donation drive to coincide with World Refugee Day to help put a smile on a refugee childr's face and affirm the importance of knowledge and learning in societies suffering from the impact of wars and conflicts. Providing sources of knowledge is as essential as providing food, medicine, and monetary aid. The Kan Yama Kan initiative follows the UAE's mission to advance communities through knowledge and books.”

Since its launch in 2015, the Kan Yama Kan initiative has distributed thousands of books in areas suffering from social or natural calamities, and wars, where access to knowledge sources is limited. With the support of international partners, the initiative has enabled refugee children to gain access to educational and entertainment content thus bringing a gleam of hope into their lives to realising their dreams for a bright future.