Books for Change: Empower Rural Children Through Reading in Pauri, Uttarakhand #DaanUtsav
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400
Books Goal -
156
Books Received -
14
Days to go
Who we are
The Umesh Dobhal Trust, based in Pauri, Uttarakhand, is a nonprofit organisation committed to preserving the memory and ideals of Umesh Dobhal, a journalist and social activist who tragically lost his life in the pursuit of justice. Founded in his honour, the trust works to promote cultural, social, and literary activities that reflect Dobhal's dedication to social justice, human rights, and uplifting marginalised communities.
The Trust organises literary festivals, workshops, and discussions that engage young minds with contemporary social issues. It also provides scholarships and educational resources to underprivileged students. Additionally, the Trust plays an active role in environmental conservation, human rights campaigns, and community empowerment initiatives, carrying forward Umesh Dobhal's legacy of using words and actions for positive social change.
Our work and its impact
Through our School-Based Library Program, we work to establish libraries in rural schools, giving children access to a wide variety of books and learning materials. Our goal is to instil a love for reading and improve children’s language and literacy skills, which are essential for their academic success and overall personal development.
By offering books in the children’s mother tongues and creating engaging reading spaces, we provide underprivileged children the opportunity to discover new ideas, expand their vocabulary, and develop critical thinking skills. This program not only improves literacy but also builds self-confidence and communication skills, helping children excel both inside and outside the classroom.
In the long term, our initiative addresses the educational divide between urban and rural communities, giving rural children the tools they need to escape the cycle of poverty. Ultimately, we are working toward a more equitable and literate society.
How we will utilise these books
The books provided through this campaign will form the foundation of our *School-Based Library Program* in rural schools. These storybooks from Pratham Books will be housed in school libraries and classrooms, available to children during lessons, free time, and a dedicated *Reading Hour*—a special time where students are encouraged to explore books independently. This will help foster a love of reading and create a lasting reading habit among the children.
Teachers will guide *Reading Hour* by reading aloud to younger students and organising discussions and group activities, like storytelling and book reviews, to improve comprehension and vocabulary. Students will be encouraged to select books that interest them, allowing for a more personalised and enjoyable reading experience.
The books will also be incorporated into daily lessons to support language development, comprehension exercises, and storytelling sessions. Interactive activities such as role-playing based on stories will help boost critical thinking and communication skills. Through these efforts, the program will nurture a lifelong passion for reading while enhancing literacy, self-confidence, and collaborative learning.
This initiative will directly benefit 100 children in rural Pauri, Uttarakhand, providing them with books in both English and Hindi to cater to their language needs and ensure greater accessibility.
Supporters
| Anonymous | ₹1,500 |
| Naresh Naudiyal | ₹375 |
| Archana Dhyani Nautiyal | ₹5,000 |
| Ranjana Dhyani | ₹1,500 |
| Mahendra Negi | ₹375 |
| Kanchan Bhatt | ₹375 |
| Anonymous | ₹75 |
| Anonymous | ₹1,500 |
| Rashmi Jain | ₹1,000 |
| Name | Donate Amount | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Garima Mishra | ₹1,500 | October 14, 2024 |
| Naresh Naudiyal | ₹375 | October 14, 2024 |
| Archana Dhyani Nautiyal | ₹5,000 | October 13, 2024 |
| Ranjana Dhyani | ₹1,500 | October 08, 2024 |
| Mahendra Negi | ₹375 | October 05, 2024 |
| Kanchan Bhatt | ₹375 | October 05, 2024 |
| Sandeep Tiwari | ₹75 | October 05, 2024 |
| Tanu Puri | ₹1,500 | October 02, 2024 |
| Rashmi Jain | ₹1,000 | October 02, 2024 |