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The Journey to Empowerment begins with a book
Adhvan Foundation began as a dream to spread the joy of reading and learning to children living in Child Care Institutions and has blossomed into a full fledged activity based Library programme that empowers children living in such institutions by
- Supporting literacy
- Enhancing life skills
- Nurturing a love for reading.
Books open our minds and hearts. They are beloved friends who comfort us and confront us, soothe us and unsettle us, help us discover ourselves and understand the world around us. Books push us to think, question and grow. Most of us have grown up reading books and listening to stories and we would want the same for our own children.
Unfortunately for majority of children in India, books and reading still remain far out of reach. For a child living in a Children’s Home (Orphanage or Shelter home), the likelihood of experiencing the joy of reading reduces even further. For children who have never been exposed to books, merely providing books isn’t enough. They need passionate adults who will make books come alive and help them develop a connection with books and start on their journey to becoming lifelong readers.
Most Children’s Homes are too weighed down with fulfilling the physical needs of the child and often, social and emotional needs of the child fall by the wayside. They are highly structured and regimented. Conformity and obedience are ensured through constant scrutiny. The very care designed to keep children safe also isolates and disconnects them from the larger world.
A vibrant Library programme is the perfect antidote to all that ails Children's Homes. It offers a safe and stimulating space where the children can read, reflect, express, question and dialogue. In the absence of scrutiny, they are able to explore and experiment and discover who they are and develop their own voice and agency.
I have completed my Masters in Social Work from Tata Institute of Social Sciences and Library Educator's Certificate Course offered by Parag (an initiative of Tata Trusts) and Bookworm. I have been working in the field of Library work with underprivileged children for 5 years and with Children’s Homes for 6+ years. My passion and conviction for this programme have emerged from my experiences. A vibrant Library programme designed specially for children living in Children's Homes is transformative.
Unfortunately for majority of children in India, books and reading still remain far out of reach. For a child living in a Children’s Home (Orphanage or Shelter home), the likelihood of experiencing the joy of reading reduces even further. For children who have never been exposed to books, merely providing books isn’t enough. They need passionate adults who will make books come alive and help them develop a connection with books and start on their journey to becoming lifelong readers.
Most Children’s Homes are too weighed down with fulfilling the physical needs of the child and often, social and emotional needs of the child fall by the wayside. They are highly structured and regimented. Conformity and obedience are ensured through constant scrutiny. The very care designed to keep children safe also isolates and disconnects them from the larger world.
A vibrant Library programme is the perfect antidote to all that ails Children's Homes. It offers a safe and stimulating space where the children can read, reflect, express, question and dialogue. In the absence of scrutiny, they are able to explore and experiment and discover who they are and develop their own voice and agency.
I have completed my Masters in Social Work from Tata Institute of Social Sciences and Library Educator's Certificate Course offered by Parag (an initiative of Tata Trusts) and Bookworm. I have been working in the field of Library work with underprivileged children for 5 years and with Children’s Homes for 6+ years. My passion and conviction for this programme have emerged from my experiences. A vibrant Library programme designed specially for children living in Children's Homes is transformative.
The programme is currently run at Asha Sadan with 25 children and we hope to begin work with many more children and institutions this year.
To know more about our work please follow us on facebook (AdhvanIndia) or visit our website (www.adhvan.org) or contact us (megha@adhvan.org).
Children’s Homes are struggling! They are overburdened and under resourced and I need your support to initiate this programme. The funds we raise will enable the running of a Library programme in a Children’s Home for a year. All the funds raised will be used for purchase of good quality books in English and Regional languages (Rs 50000), purchase of stationery and material for activities (Rs 40000) and for transportation of the same (Rs 10000).
Your support will be greatly appreciated.
“Together let’s spread the love for reading"
Your support will be greatly appreciated.
“Together let’s spread the love for reading"
