Lebanese youth benefit from Zoomaal funding

Shhhhhhhhhh.

It seems that the determination of youth in the Lebanese city of Tripoli is steadfast in the face of political and security unrest. Nine months after a fire destroyed thousands of books from one of the most important collections in Lebanon, the Al-Kindy project is preparing for a launch with the aim of encouraging young people to read and exchange ideas.

A cultural space in the city, Al-Kindy, taking its name from the famous Arab philosopher, is dedicated to university students and young professionals. Comprising a small library, reading rooms, and a conference room, there is also a cafe-cum-socializing space. “Behavior is contagious,” says Najwa Sahmarani, the young woman behind the project. In hopes of creating a wave of positivity amongst the youth of Tripoli, she wants to spread awareness about the importance of reading. The space will also host and organize cultural and social activities, working in collaboration with local initiatives like We Love Tripoli, TEDx Azmi Street, and Tripoli Entrepreneurs Club (Sahmarani is an active member in the latter). 

Starting initially with a campaign using local volunteers to educate Tripolitans on the importance of reading, Sahramani says that there has been an enthusiastic response and estimates that about 500 people supported the campaign, either through social networks or with the donation of books. This then inspired her to take the idea further and develop a space that could embody and promote the ideas. Through the crowdfunding platform Zoomaal, the initiative has raised $25,000 USD which will go to campaign costs, rent, and equipment for a year.

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Lebanese youth benefit from Zoomaal funding

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