The famous mobile library is back on the streets of Kabul

By Laila Yousufy

A mobile library which brings books and much-needed entertainment to children is back on the streets of the Afghan capital, Kabul, nearly four months after it was closed.  

The five colorful buses of the Charmaghz, which means walnut in English, drive through Kabul neighborhoods with kids waiting for their favorite read of the day and some entertainment in each station where buses stop for a couple of hours. Each bus is equipped with a small library, a teacher, librarian, deputy librarian and entertainment tools, which brings joy, at least for a few hours to the children on the streets, schools and orphanages.

For children who can’t read, the librarians would read and they would listen with enthusiasm. Those who can read, are inspired by the stories they read to write their own, said Ramzia Abdulkhil, one of the librarians at Charmaghz library. 

The boys, 18 and younger are allowed to attend sessions at the library, but there is no age limitation for girls.

 “The library was established to promote reading and critical thinking as well as providing mental health support through a psychologist who plays games to elevate the mental health of the children,” said Ahmad Seyam Barakati, deputy director of Charmaghz library.

On August 15, when the Taliban took over Afghanistan, the library was closed. It is now open with the Taliban’s permission. “Because the library buses are public buses and the staff are mainly women, we could not resume our work until we got an official permission letter from the Taliban,” Abdulkhil, the librarian, told Rukhshana Media.  

After several meetings with the Taliban, the group allowed the female staff to continue their work, according to the deputy director of the library. 

“I would get bored at home when the mobile library was not operating,” said 11-year-old Sivita Noori, a grade six student. So far, from all books she read, Tom and Jerry’s story has been her favourite.

The library was established in 2018 with only one bus. But soon it expanded to five buses and 30 employees. The library had 400 visitors per day before August 15, according to theer website.  

Freshta Karim, the founder of Charmaghz library, has been named alongside many other Afghan women in the BBC’s list of 100 influential women.