The brainchild of Sarah Champa and Hind Al Khulaifi, Maktaba was a concept founded 6 years ago. The library was opened in September 2016 and the couple has had a journey making it happen. A library open to public and also has a Guinness book record? Yes, that’s definitely a first for us.

The ILQ Team paid a visit to the library to learn a little more about them and we were welcomed by colors, warmth and a buzz of the most adorable children playing around. With the reception right in front of you, you could see a few parents and their children having some quality time in the kids play area followed by the excited squeals made by enthusiastic 6 year olds attending the summer program that was already in full spring as we went there.

The library aids children of almost every age; the ground floor held children till 6 and the 1st floor catered to children 10 and above. Making the library a very comfortable place to be in with their respective majlis, I saw a place that welcomed children to read more, be themselves and learn a little something about everything. The library encourages its children to learn about engineering and experiments of all sorts, making sure that they knew of the vast options that they had. From learning about planting vegetables and fruits to learning about the importance of recycling, they got all the grounds covered.

Maktaba has programs throughout summers that include Play in Arabic, encouraging children to dive into Arabic immersion, Sensory Party, hands on opportunity for your child, Sand Art, a new way to be artistic, Young Entrepreneurship for girls and so on. You can look into their workshops and have your kids register to not only be around the safest environment but to learn more than what books can teach. Other workshops include A world Around us, a program that enables children to learn through puppet making, stories, art and crafts and stories as well as Not A Box - an interactive way to encourage a child’s creativity.

Maktaba is not only just about classes and books, they believe in inspiring the children that come in. A library that is running on the support of the community, Maktaba is a not-for-profit community organization. Where companies like Ras Gas have helped them as well as volunteers such as Anis .Bengiuma, founder of 28ers, they have been making it all possible for the love of children and the experience they get to give with the Library. With a project like this, we believe it is ideal to lend a hand and help them in any way possible. From book donations, individual support, volunteering to be interns and especially becoming a member of the library, every option is open for us to help this library grow.

If you know someone who would love to be a part of the Maktaba Library, drop us a note or contact them directly on http://www.maktabaqatar.org/

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Anushay T.Khan

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