DISCLAIMER: Assets or property for charitable purposes have not been received for this project (i.e., a cash donation, property donation, or other assets with financial value received for charitable purposes), includes more than just money, such as supplies, food,clothing, real property, stocs and bonds, and other tangible gifs. This project is fully funded by our team.
Little Free Library
Project Abstract
The Hesara Organization is seeking to introduce the Little Free Library project. Through the original Little Free Library project, “millions of books are exchanged each year, profoundly increasing access to books for readers of all ages and backgrounds. The objective of the Little Free Library project is to increase access to books and libraries to inspire a love of reading, build community, and spark creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges around the world.” We request funding of $… to purchase the required Little Free Library boxes and to cover the costs associated with the necessary monitoring and maintenance of the boxes.
Project Statement of Need
The population in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq has limited access to books and library resources. There has been ongoing turmoil, war, and economic crisis in this region. Thus, most of the region’s education systems, libraries, reading skills, and habits of the entire population is very distressed. We have decided to introduce the Little Free Library project to increase access to books for readers of all ages. Please help us improve the reading skills of the local population.
Project Description
The Little Free Library project will enable the local population to improve their reading skills through access to over twenty boxes of free books located in residential areas. People using these boxes will be able to participate in book exchanges and simultaneously serve as donors and beneficiaries of the project. Our Little Free Library project will require building materials, fabrication of the library boxes, training for staff, delivery, installation, maintenance, and community outreach.
Goals, Relevance, AND Objectives
Nowadays, there is a lack of awareness surrounding books and literature in Kurdistan. Additionally, governments and ministries cannot fill this gap by themselves. Thus, NGOs should participate and take a lead role in this regard. There have been attempts by some organizations, writers, and academics, but it is not enough to adequately address this issue because an active and suitable framework is needed. Meanwhile, we noticed a severe weakness in community awareness in these areas. Therefore, it is necessary to find a useful framework to gather these efforts and create a network to improve the culture in regard to the library, books, and reading.
The original Little Free Library’s Impact Library Project “provides resources to place book exchanges where they can be a catalyst for improving literacy and deepening community connectedness. The Little Free Library’s Impact Program will share a vision to spread joy and the power of sharing books and give an opportunity to communities to improve their reading skills and experiences.”
Timeline
The Activities of the Project
The project consists of four phases, which will last for six months.
Phase One: Preparing and Training (December 1, 2019, to June 1, 2020 )
In this phase, we will prepare all the financial and material requirements. Then, we will designate the locations of the Little Free Library boxes. Additionally, we will nominate staff participants after filling out the specific forms according to their volunteer experience, library experience, and skills. At the end of this phase, a general report, including the details of the preparation stage, we will present a to the donor. We will train the participants in workshops on how to maintain the Little Free Libraries and how to spread awareness of the importance of literacy.
Phase Two: Building the Library Boxes
Local carpenters will build the library boxes. Based on the market price, we will pick the lowest quote for manufacture, installation and maintenance according to the availability of the local contractor over a flexible timeline. We will contact local carpenters and explain the nature of our project as a community service. Finally, we will choose the best deal based on the price of the boxes, the quality, and the installation and maintenance options.
Phase Three: Distributing Little Free Library Boxes to Select Neighborhoods
At this stage, we will have all the neighborhood location points and the library boxes ready. We will begin the delivery and installation process, and we will do that through our staff on the ground.
Phase Four: Monitoring and Maintaining the Little Free Library Boxes in Select Neighborhoods
For monitoring, we have an idea to seek help from many sources: (1) we will contact the locals and ask residences and families close by to keep an eye on the boxes; (2) we will inform the city police and security agencies of the location of the boxes. In this region they usually have frequent twenty-four hour missions to check unusual objects and activities; thus, we will let them know of the existence of the new boxes in the city’s neighborhoods, and we will ask for help and protection from vandalism and stealing.
Budget
DISCLAIMER: Public funds or donation have not been received for this project, its fully funded by our team.
Location
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is a semiautonomous region of Iraq located in the northern part of Iraq. KRG borders Iran to the east, Turkey to the north, and Syria to the west. KRG is divided into the governorates of Duhok, Erbil, and Sulaymaniyah.
The Little Free Library project will be based in the town of Koy Sanjaq, about a one-hour drive from the Kurdistan Region capital, Erbil. The population of Koy Sanjaq is between 50,000 to 100,000, and the predominant language is the Sorani dialect of Kurdish. Koy Sanjaq is known for its literature, and it is home to many philosophers, poets, writers, and politicians, including the former president of Iraq, Jalal Talabani, and the current Iraqi president, Fuad Masum. Additionally, it is home to Koya University, with a library that includes around 70,000 resources. Unfortunately, these resources are restricted to the use of university faculty and students.
The geographic area this project aims to cover consists of the entire Koy Sanjaq municipality in the Erbil Governorate in Iraqi Kurdistan. However, the project will be primarily implemented in neighborhoods that have little access to public libraries. To identify these neighborhoods and to locate optimum spots for the libraries, we will conduct a geographic analysis using software. This analysis will lead us to the optimum locations for the libraries. Additionally, we will produce a map to designate potential locations.
Evaluation
The monitoring and evaluation plan for the Little Free Library project will serve two functions: the project implementation and performance of activities and the evaluation of the impact of promoting reading books. The Hesara Organization will provide answers on the progress and impact made by the Little Free Library project in achieving the project’s goal.
Project performance: This project will be directed and monitored closely by a skilled specialist director who will be in touch with the project and the Hesara Organization through weekly reports. At the end of each phase, we will supply the donor with a periodical and a final report as well as guidance notes and feedback on the reports.
Project impact: The Hesara Organization team will evaluate the project’s success in achieving the goal. Additionally, we will monitor an evaluation of the project’s success toward its outcomes continuously throughout the project. Furthermore, we will supply systematic technical supervision missions and reports to boost achievement. In an attempt to do that, we will collect reliable and impact data at the beginning of the project activities and during project implementation.
Staff and Organizational Information
Hesara is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving communities and achieving better life prospects through education and empowerment. We collaborate with organizations and individuals that assist us in implementing projects that address the needs of communities on multiple levels. As an organization, we identify projects with a proven track record of success, and we work to bring these projects to vulnerable populations.
Our Hesara team in the United States includes Karaman Mamand, president/chief executive officer, who is an educator, researcher, and activist. He holds a doctor of juridical science (SJD) in international legal studies and an LLM in US legal studies- these credentials were earned in California. Additionally, he holds a Master of Laws as well as Bachelor of Laws He believes working with nonprofits is a positive step toward change for a better world, so he established a nonprofit organization to address this concern, and he has hope for a brighter future.
Awesta Mohammed, secretary of the Hesara Organization, holds a PhD in soil geography in the Department of Geography and Atmospheric Science at the University of Kansas. She holds an MSc in physical geography and applied geomorphology as well as a BA in geography with a minor in cartography. Additionally, she has contributed to many surveys on the subjects of human rights, economics, and political rights with the Oxford International Institute, Ltd. Aside from her geoscience research, Awesta is interested in the advancement and protection of the rights of women and children as well as helping underserved minority communities.
Sanan Moradi, chief financial officer and program supervisor, is a PhD candidate in political geography at the University of Oregon. His research interest includes territory, nationalism, and the Middle East.
Additionally, there is a Hesara representative in the Kurdistan Region. For this project we are networking with locals, including the Koya City Public Library, the Koya City Issues Concerned Group, and the Haibat Sultan Mountain Climbers Group. These organizations are willing to provide us with a handful of volunteers to implement the project in Koya City.
Appendix
● Secretary of State letter
● Bylaws
● Resume
