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‘This is how we’ll change the country’ – inside Kabul’s book bus

Organisers of Kabul’s mobile library want to encourage critical thinking and introspection among Afghan children.

Kabul''s mobile library
The mobile library during a scheduled stop in the west of Kabul. [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
By Sorin Furcoi
Published On 7 Mar 2019

Kabul, Afghanistan – A blue bus stops on a small street on the outskirts of Afghanistan‘s capital, Kabul.

Soon after its doors open, joyful children crowd the vehicle to pick up their favourite book before retreating into a corner to learn about the adventures of a superhero or the wisdom and kindness of a fairy.

The Charmaghaz (walnut) project, which runs this mobile library, started in February last year and soon became a regular sight around the city.

Each day, the bus visits up to four communities across Kabul, with every stop lasting two hours.

“The main goal of the mobile library is to promote critical thinking, which we believe it is not promoted in our education system or our society,” said Freshta Karim, the 26-year-old founder of the Charmaghaz project.

“When children read stories from around the world and see issues through somebody else’s eyes, they learn to think critically and realise their potential.

“It’s been one year since we started working with children and we realised they are very passionate and they have so much energy and thirst for knowledge.

“They deserve a lot of investment. Education is one of the areas we need to invest because this is how we will change this country,” Karim added.

Kabul''s mobile library
The library aims to promote critical thinking, according to the founder of the project, Freshta Karim. [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
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Kabul''s mobile library
The bus operates daily and visits four communities, with every visit lasting two hours. [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
Kabul''s mobile library
More than 40,000 visits have been registered at the mobile library since it started operating in 2018. [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
Kabul''s mobile library
Every day, some 100 children visit the library. [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
Kabul''s mobile library
Most of the books come from donations. The books are sorted by the three librarians the Charmaghaz project employs. [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
Kabul''s mobile library
In the beginning, the community was a bit sceptical about sending their kids to the bus, but now the parents fully embrace and understand the value of the library, according to Freshta Karim. [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
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Kabul''s mobile library
In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the project will expand its services to schools that lack such facilities. [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
Kabul''s mobile library
'It's been one year since we started working with children and we realised they are very passionate and they have so much energy and thirst for knowledge,' said Freshta. [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
Kabul''s mobile library
'When children read stories from around the world and see issues through somebody else's eyes, they learn to think critically and realise their potential.' [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
Kabul''s mobile library
According to the founder of the project, education is one area where the authorities need to invest and it is the only way the country will change. [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
Kabul''s mobile library
The mobile library project has received support from local and national authorities. [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
Kabul''s mobile library
Charmaghaz project has also launched a workshop for children on the bus, an initiative that gives the children tools to be creative and build things with their own hands. The workshop for children is equipped with a projector for children to watch educational videos and inspiring stories. [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
Kabul''s mobile library
An eight-member team works on the Charmaghaz project. As they couldn't afford to buy their own vehicles, the local transport authority provided two buses for the project. [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]