The We Love Reading program, which travels across Jordan’s governorates every year, has launched its first training session for 2025 on reading aloud to children. The training was held in Jerash/Gaza Camp in collaboration with the Hopes Company for Education and Development. More than 25 women received the training, including schoolteachers and women from various segments of the community.
The training was conducted by trainer Ghufran Abu Diyeh, who introduced participants to methodologies for reading aloud to children, from choosing the right story and engaging children, to eventually establishing their own local library. The training was further enriched by sharing the success stories of reading ambassadors, which filled the trainees with ambition and motivation, inspiring them to reflect on how to create social change using simple tools and solutions to everyday problems. The training also highlighted the remote learning option to make this opportunity accessible to more community members.
Over the course of two days, we met an energetic group of trainees who engaged in practical exercises by reading stories aloud and receiving feedback from the trainer. The training provided a space for discussions about modern approaches to nurturing a love for reading in children, especially in the digital age. It also touched on key studies about reading levels among Arab children. Participants addressed societal challenges and community needs to boost cultural initiatives and empowerment, while reaffirming the role of each individual in building and contributing to their society.
One of the participants, Hadeel Adnan, shared that the practical part of the training, allowing participants to test their storytelling skills and receive constructive feedback, was one of the most impactful and enjoyable aspects. As it helped her visualize how fun and engaging read-aloud sessions could be. She also emphasized the importance of such training for teachers, as they are among the groups most in contact with children.
Additionally, Nusiba Youssef, said that the training gave her greater confidence to start her own social initiative focused on reading to children and transforming her community. And describes the training experience as a meaningful journey that has influenced her on many levels.”
This project is funded by the Korean Grant / Jordan Bridge Project 2025, which previously recognized We Love Reading with the UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize in 2017.