Charmaghz Honoured at the US Library of Congress

Charmaghz has received the US Library of Congress Literacy Awards Program as a “Successful Practices Honoree” in the “Elevating Youth Voices” category for its groundbreaking work in instilling the joy of reading to Afghan children through mobile libraries. The Library of Congress Literacy Awards are intended to draw public attention to the importance of literacy, and the need to promote literacy and encourage reading.

This international recognition which was awarded in November 2024, is testimony to the efforts of the Charmaghz team — in providing holistic, trauma-informed literacy, numeracy, and creative programs to some of Afghanistan’s most marginalised children, ensuring they have access to books, as well as to safe, supportive spaces where learning, imagination, and healing go hand in hand.

In accepting the award, Charmaghz’s Founder, Freshta Karim, noted that, “This award is not just for us—it’s for every child who has stepped onto one of our mobile libraries, every librarian who has led with compassion, and every supporter who has believed in the power of education.”