We spoke to Nessrine, a teacher in Beirut, Lebanon, earlier this year before the current escalation of the situation in Lebanon. Sadly her school, along with thousands of others, has now had to close for the safety of staff and pupils.  We continue to support our partners in Lebanon as they respond to this crisis and we’re in touch with Nessrine, who still wanted us to share her story with you.   

“My name is Nessrine Kassem. I live in Beirut, Lebanon and I teach at the Tahaddi Education Centre. I have been a teacher here for six years and I teach grades 4 and 5 (children aged 10-12). 

Our centre serves children from an impoverished area of Beirut, the western neighbourhood. Many of our pupils are from Syrian and Lebanese families who’ve been uprooted by conflict. As you can imagine, they’ve been through very difficult and painful experiences. My pupils have seen war, killing, destruction and displacement. Life in their neighbourhood is harsh too. Families are crowded together in spaces that aren’t fit to live in. The buildings are at risk of collapsing. There’s sometimes gunfire in the streets outside.  

The economic hardship that’s befallen us in Lebanon has also left families in dire poverty, forcing some of my pupils to work before or after school for any small amount they can earn.  I feel very sad when I find these small bodies with worries inside them, like mountains that they carry and try to overcome 

Having a library at the education centre has impacted us greatly. I remember how thrilled my pupils were when they first stepped into the new library. They were immediately captivated by the picture books. As soon as we left, they were asking when we could go back. So, from that day, we made it a point to visit the library as often as possible. They love it and it makes them so motivated to read.   

I like the books that show them that there is a different world out there. Books that show them that there is hope.  

We have a section of books with important people like Malala (Yousafzai) and Nelson Mandela to show the students that there is a way to achieve their goals.  

The library provides them with a very important space in which to learn away from any judgement, shame or hesitation. And it lifts my heart to see them having access to books that give them an insight into different realities and lives.   

Children reading donated books at the Tahaddi Education Centre

I just want to say how important it is for the children to have access to the library space. I know how important it is for them to be able to read. My son waits for his bedtime story every day, but the kids here don’t have the chance to read at home.  

When someone like you helped to give books to my pupils, a door opened to a world away from their troubles. 

In the difficult circumstances and huge challenges my pupils face they need to be able to hold on to a glimmer of hope. To know that they have the right to live a decent life. And that outside the world they’re living in right now, there is a better life, there is ambition, there is a future. 

Photos (c) Book Aid International/TSaade2024