Mini public libraries
for youth
The Problem
Jordan has over 10,000 bakalas - small, trusted stores located in nearly every neighborhood. Jordan Reads, Jordan Makes empowers women and youth by turning local bakalas into:
for youth
for home-based entrepreneurs
Makers place their crafts (soap, embroidery, accessories, snacks) on consignment shelves — no rent, no risk.
Readers can borrow books from the same bakala - creating community hubs of commerce and culture.
Shopkeepers gain foot traffic and income by hosting products and books.
For many women who face barriers to traditional employment, and for youth eager to build or learn, Jordan Reads, Jordan Makes is a practical, grassroots solution, leveraging Jordan's existing network of over 10,000 bakalas.
Rania stitches elegant embroidered coasters that add a touch of Jordanian tradition to any table.
Mais crafts sleek ceramic candle holders that blend timeless design with handmade charm.
Um Qais creates vibrant, hand-embroidered cushion covers that brighten living spaces with Jordanian heritage.
Maha layers Jordan’s desert colors into striking sand-art bottles perfect for unique décor.
SU crochets stylish, eco-friendly bags that bring a modern twist to traditional handiwork.
Zeina blends natural ingredients into soothing salt soaps for a gentle, spa-like cleanse.
Zeina handcrafts moisturizing olive-oil soaps inspired by local olive groves.
Nisrine pours fragrant, hand-made candles that fill homes with warm, inviting aromas.
Leyth is a Jordanian high school student living in Dubai, with deep ties to his home country. During frequent visits to Jordan, Leyth would stop by local bakalas, the small, trusted corner shops found in nearly every neighborhood. What started as casual visits soon turned into conversations with shopkeepers, neighbors, and community members.
Through those conversations, he discovered two things:
Leyth saw an opportunity to connect the dots.
With Jordan Reads, Jordan Makes, he’s helping turn everyday bakalas into neighborhood hubs of commerce and culture — supporting home-based makers, increasing access to books, and building community through an infrastructure that already exists.
