This story is both uplifting and heartbreaking. It’s about one man’s determination to raise the literacy levels in his home of Rabat, Morocco.

Aziz was orphaned at the age of six and attempted to afford his dream of graduating high school by fishing. At fifteen, Aziz realised he wouldn’t be able to finish his education because the textbooks were too expensive. Aziz’s anger at his situation fuelled his passion to begin a career as a bookseller. Aziz has been selling books for fifty-five years in Rabat’s medina (old city), and in that time Morocco’s literacy rate has improved, yet Aziz believes the country’s literacy rate is still impacted by the number of students, like him, who aren’t able to finish school, having to leave to make a living.

Aziz’s shop is a literary meeting point for people from all over Morocco and the world. Many of these people, such as summer-bound students, leave their used books at the shop. By engaging with the donors in long conversations and reading their donations, Aziz taught himself standard Arabic, French, and Spanish. By providing books in all of Morocco’s languages Aziz hopes to one day fulfil his dream of bringing literature and a love of reading to his home of Rabat.

“My life revolves around reading,” Aziz said. "I’ll be here till everyone can read. I’ve read more than 4,000 books, so I’ve lived more than 4,000 lives. Everyone should have that chance.”

A love of books and reading has been one of the greatest gifts in my life, so Aziz’s story resonates completely.