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GRANTHĀ –– RURAL SCHOOL LIBRARIES
“Most children in rural and government schools struggle in higher classes not because they are less intelligent than their urban peers, but because they did not get the strong foundations in reading, writing and comprehension in their primary classes.”
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OUR WORK
Grantha is a community project that is setting up tiny libraries in rural and government schools with a focus on primary school children, but books across all age groups are welcomed and collected.
We believe that it is important to establish strong reading and writing skills in the formative years to be able to grasp concepts in the higher classes. Most children in rural schools struggle in higher classes not because they are less intelligent than their urban peers, but because they did not get the strong foundations in reading, writing and comprehension in their primary classes. We know that children from villages and marginalised communities can do wonders if helped with the right learning resources.
The libraries that we envision are not mere repositories of books but shall be equipped with other learning aids like board games, charts, a computer connection (with speakers and projector system), and maps in order to foster holistic learning. Having workshops with teachers to run the library programme ensures that it works closely with the school curriculum.
OUR BENEFICIARIES
We have two ongoing projects: at Nadigadda Thanda slum on the outskirts of Hyderabad and in Hura village in Mysore District. The library at Nadigadda Thanda, a settlement of Lambadis, has been set up independently in a community space with the support of residents of the slum and is not attached to any institution. We have been hosting reading sessions with children of various age groups along with documentary screenings, and games that help hone speaking, reading, and critical thinking skills. At the Government Higher Primary School in Hura village, we are working closely with teachers to set up the library and design the space while aiding them in planning the curricular programme for the year with the focus on bridging the learning gap caused by school closure in a manner that links the library with the children's course work.
_____________
OUR WORK
Grantha is a community project that is setting up tiny libraries in rural and government schools with a focus on primary school children, but books across all age groups are welcomed and collected.
We believe that it is important to establish strong reading and writing skills in the formative years to be able to grasp concepts in the higher classes. Most children in rural schools struggle in higher classes not because they are less intelligent than their urban peers, but because they did not get the strong foundations in reading, writing and comprehension in their primary classes. We know that children from villages and marginalised communities can do wonders if helped with the right learning resources.
The libraries that we envision are not mere repositories of books but shall be equipped with other learning aids like board games, charts, a computer connection (with speakers and projector system), and maps in order to foster holistic learning. Having workshops with teachers to run the library programme ensures that it works closely with the school curriculum.
OUR BENEFICIARIES
We have two ongoing projects: at Nadigadda Thanda slum on the outskirts of Hyderabad and in Hura village in Mysore District. The library at Nadigadda Thanda, a settlement of Lambadis, has been set up independently in a community space with the support of residents of the slum and is not attached to any institution. We have been hosting reading sessions with children of various age groups along with documentary screenings, and games that help hone speaking, reading, and critical thinking skills. At the Government Higher Primary School in Hura village, we are working closely with teachers to set up the library and design the space while aiding them in planning the curricular programme for the year with the focus on bridging the learning gap caused by school closure in a manner that links the library with the children's course work.
Unfortunately, the room in which we are to set up the library is in a very bad shape due to the lack of government funding for renovation of village schools and the poor quality of construction.
To not give up on our vision to set up a library that can help village children to strengthen their reading and writing skills, we have decided to renovate the room ourselves and are thus increasing the fundraiser goal amount to Rs.1,25,000 which will include the cost of renovation, the painting of the room into an inspirational learning space, and to bring in more books and board games.
Here is the break-up of the costs:
Renovation of room (addressing dampness of walls and roof leak) : Rs. 40,000
Painting of room (Base coat - Material + Labour) - Rs. 10,000
Art work (in collaboration with artists) Material - Rs. 10,000
Projector - Rs. 10,000
Books (avg price Rs. 150 x 250) = Rs. 37,500
Board games and learning aids (Charts, Globes, Craft Paper) - Rs. 10,000
Buffer Amount (To meet miscellaneous and unexpected expenses) - Rs. 7500
Nadigadda Thanda
1. Books = Rs. 8,000 for new books selected by us (The current collection of books for this library are used copies donated by individuals)
2. Other objects (globe, maps, and other charts) = Rs. 725
To not give up on our vision to set up a library that can help village children to strengthen their reading and writing skills, we have decided to renovate the room ourselves and are thus increasing the fundraiser goal amount to Rs.1,25,000 which will include the cost of renovation, the painting of the room into an inspirational learning space, and to bring in more books and board games.
Here is the break-up of the costs:
Renovation of room (addressing dampness of walls and roof leak) : Rs. 40,000
Painting of room (Base coat - Material + Labour) - Rs. 10,000
Art work (in collaboration with artists) Material - Rs. 10,000
Projector - Rs. 10,000
Books (avg price Rs. 150 x 250) = Rs. 37,500
Board games and learning aids (Charts, Globes, Craft Paper) - Rs. 10,000
Buffer Amount (To meet miscellaneous and unexpected expenses) - Rs. 7500
Nadigadda Thanda
1. Books = Rs. 8,000 for new books selected by us (The current collection of books for this library are used copies donated by individuals)
2. Other objects (globe, maps, and other charts) = Rs. 725
PLEASE NOTE:
- The libraries of Granthā are a work in progress––we will continue to need all your help and support to keep stocking up our libraries with books and learning tools. As such, we may have to increase the financial goal of our fundraiser as and when a milestone is reached so we can expand to more schools and increase the number of books in our repository. Thank you for being there with us and joining the community!
- All bills will be provided to donors upon request. Any funds that may remain from this project will be channelled towards the next library project in another village.
Please write to us at grantharurallibraries@gmail.com if you have any questions or suggestions or want to get involved in any way! Thank you so much for joining us in this journey of setting up children's libraries in village schools.
Warmly,
Everyone at Granthā
