Who we are
Every child deserves access to safe, encouraging spaces where they can expand their imaginations and explore their own creativity. We came together through our shared belief in the power of libraries to serve as these places of care and inspiration.
How we work
We create shared library spaces within community settings that act as creative learning environments, where children build confidence through storytelling, exploration, and self-directed activity. lilipad librarians support children to develop communication and critical thinking skills through everyday practice, while our cultural programmes and workshops focus on self-expression, creativity, digital literacy, and building confidence.
Our values
Children as Authors
Every child has the right to be the author of their own story. We create spaces where children shape how they see themselves and how they are seen by others.
Nothing About Us Without Us
Communities are not recipients of our work — they are partners in shaping it. Decisions should never be made for people without the meaningful participation of those they affect.
Radical Possibility
Potential exists everywhere, even when opportunity does not. We work to expand what is possible so that every child has the freedom to shape their own future.
Intersectionality
We recognise that no child experiences the world through a single identity. People’s lives are shaped by intersecting systems of power, privilege and oppression, and we design our work to reflect that reality.
Our leadership team
Founder
Sara Arsalane
Sara is lilipad’s founder and a social change advocate with 15+ experience in both the private and nonprofit sectors as an operations specialist and nonprofit leader. She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Innovation from the University of Cambridge with impact areas around education, intersectionality and refugee and migrants rights.
Project Lead
Jana Gebhard
Jana is a writer, filmmaker, and educational facilitator whose work explores how storytelling supports emotional well-being. At lilipad, she leads all educational programs in Germany, including the coordination of our libraries and workshops. Her particular focus lies in using creative writing and art to help children process experience and build confidence.
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Project Coordinator, Morocco
Chifae Laazouzi
Chifae has a background in program management, fundraising, and advocacy, gained through her work with Politics4Her and youth empowerment initiatives. At lilipad, she leads community libraries and storytelling workshops in Morocco with focus on expanding access to learning and advancing gender equity.
Our board
Chair
Paul Fowler
Paul is an education tech leader and co-founder of lilipad. With over a decade of experience in strategy and communications and a deep understanding of the education sector, he guides lilipad’s organizational direction, communications, and partnerships.
Vice Chair
Nicky Böhm
Nicky is a cultural organizer and storyteller based in Berlin with two decades in music and film, including leading community social arts projects at Refuge Worldwide and hosting a radio show that explores diasporic storytelling. She guides lilipad’s community arts projects and brings a strong commitment to access, diversity, and cultural advocacy.
Vice Chair
Aadi Vaidya
Aadi is a C-suite executive and angel investor with expertise in scaling and fundraising tech companies. He runs a consulting practice in Berlin advising startups in scaling and org design. At lilipad, he supports fundraising and growth while advising on our long-term strategy.
The team
Rachida Akdaich
Country Lead Morocco
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Iva Parvanova
Events & Crowdfunding
Azeddine Kouira
Communications Coordinator
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Ruhaïna Sissoko
Project Coordinator
Join us
Our work wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our incredible team.
We’re constantly looking for new members to join us. You can find our open positions below. If you are considering joining our team as a volunteer, please fill out the form below.
Volunteer application formDonate
Keep our libraries running
Your support helps ensure children continue to have access to spaces where their language, curiosity, and imagination are taken seriously.
