Story telling

"Stories can conquer fear, you know. They can make the heart bigger." (Ben Okri)

When the children arrive at the hadithi session — they wash their hands and face, sometimes their feet, reach for a cup of cold clean drinking water, and settle down on the mat and choose a story book that they want to read or have read to them by one of the facilitators. They turn each page, looking at the pictures, slowly being transported from the world of traffic, begging and harsh words, which they have temporarily left behind and into another comforting, inspiring, even funny place! The stories diffuse their angst and root them in a new, different and healing space — more receptive to all the good that awaits them in their young lives.

Below are the list of books we currently use! They are carefully selected — the illustrations play an enormous therapeutic role. While the stories tell enchanting stories of other lives and places, some of which they know, others are magical and inspiring or revealing. We extend our thanks to all the authors and illustrators for their valuable work! If anyone would like to donate copies of these books or other similarly inspiring children's books — we would be thrilled to hear from you!