The Next Step

Books aren’t the first thing you think to grab when fleeing your homeland. Yet they offer something vital: comfort, a gateway to learning, and a way to keep the mind engaged. For refugee children, books are tangible reminders of "home," helping to preserve their connection to their native language and culture—a comforting anchor in uncertain times, when parents are burdened with worry. In those moments, having a book in one’s own language can offer solace and stability.

The Books Away from Home Foundation (BAFH) provides children’s books in various languages, including Persian, the language spoken by millions of Afghan and Iranian children and their families. The beautifully illustrated books are not only a source of joy for Persian speakers but can also be appreciated by non-Persian readers.

I’ve experienced this firsthand. In 2016 and 2017 I traveled to the island of Lesbos to help provide First Aid to refugees arriving daily. In December 2024, I returned to Lesbos to try and contribute in a different way—this time, by supporting refugees as they began their "next step": rebuilding their lives.

Thanks to the generous donations of friends and acquaintances, I was able to bring along 12 sets of BAFH Persian-language children’s books. These are now available at the Ubuntu Center, founded by the humanitarian, non-profit organization WWBT Hellas (“We Band Together Hellas”). The Ubuntu Center, located in the city and visited daily by at least 20 Afghan and Iranian children and their parents, offers a rare opportunity for relaxation and connection—far from the crowded, difficult conditions of the nearby refugee camp, where they live.

The Ubuntu Center is a sanctuary, a place where there’s always a listening ear, a warm cup of tea or coffee, and answers to everyday questions. It’s a space where children can play while their parents exhale, feeling momentarily lighter. Time spent here has a restorative power for everyone.

There are plenty of toys, colored pencils, and coloring books at the center. Older children can go online, check emails on one of four laptops, or even work on their résumés—tasks that are almost impossible in the camp due to the lack of resources. The BAFH children’s books are a treasured addition. Some of the young refugees hesitate at first—choosing something just for themselves can feel unfamiliar. But with a bit of gentle encouragement, they accept the books with joy and gratitude:

“I can read this!” “Which one can I take? Can I take both?!” “Can I really keep it?” “I’ll read this to my little brother—he can’t read yet, but I can!”

If they can’t choose? They take two! And if reading proves too much of a challenge? They reach for colored pencils and let their creativity take over.

A heartfelt thank you to Books Away from Home for giving these children a small but profound piece of ‘home.’ The books are nourishment for their journey—a journey that began with hardship but holds the promise of new possibilities.

Frank Schoonbeek The Netherlands