During
my stay at Munsiari, one of the community needs that came out
strongly was the need for a good library or a reading space,
preferably with books/audio-video in the local language (Hindi).
A
friend's friend heard about my trip and came forward to support a
library through an initiative called READ.
All
I did was to put these 2 pieces together and today, a library for
children and young adults in the age group 5-25 yrs is in the process
of being setup.
There
were 3 main reasons for the need for such a library.
1. While
the children and young adults have access to conventional education,
they do not have access to books on a wider variety of issues and
subjects, particularly on the natural sciences and natural
heritage.
2. Through
a
collection
of
audio
video
material,
to
bridge
the
digital
divide.
3. Access
to
any
kind
of
learning
material
(apart
from
school
books)
is
almost
non-existent
and
the
nearest
big
town
where
books
are
available
is
more
than five
hours
by
road.
Books from the following
sources have been suggested.
There
is also a need for building/buying racks/shelves and related library
infrastructure.
If
you are interested in participating in this initiative, there are 3
(actually 4) ways of getting involved.
- Buy some of these books yourself and send it to Munsiari (or any special books that have inspired you as a child/young adult – I plan to send Kalam's “Wings of fire”)
- Bear the cost of some books/infrastructure by sending money directly to Himal Prakriti
- Contribute indirectly though READ
- Visit the place and actually setup the library and experience it first hand
About
READ
“READ
Initiative” is a group with an aim to provide access to good books
to
underprivileged children in India. Their main focus is schools
and community
centre libraries where books can be made accessible. By
contributing books for the library, they intend to ensure that the
“library/
reading space” becomes a special treat for the
children.
They
have successfully completed two years and have provided books to 11
schools across India.
About
Himal Prakriti
Himal
Prakriti is a non-profit, non-governmental organization registered as
a charitable trust. Its work has been embedded in the community, and
its role has been to extend support to the various conservation and
livelihood issues in the Gori valley through education, training,
research and advocacy activities. Through its educational
initiatives, they aim to build on the community capacities in
understanding and appreciating our natural heritage and to build on
the body of knowledge that will strengthen lives that are dependent
on nature in the Himalaya.
PS:
Please ping me for the contact details of READ/Himal Prakriti
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