What Happens When Adults Learn to Read Using Children’s Books?
We have always believed that children’s books belong in the hands of young readers. But in rural Maharashtra, they are now opening doors for adult learners too. Through our collaboration with URMEE, we are witnessing an unexpected and powerful shift. Women who are just beginning their literacy journey are turning to children’s storybooks to practice and rediscover the joy of reading.
A Growing Culture of Reading
Over the past few years, URMEE has been working across districts such as Pune, Raigad, and Satara, reaching rural and tribal communities with programs that go beyond literacy—touching on life skills, financial awareness, and livelihood opportunities.
In 25 villages of Pune district alone, nearly 800 women—many between the ages of 17 and 65—have been part of the Adult Literacy Project. For many, especially those above 45, learning to read and write has been a deeply personal milestone.
But learning doesn’t stop with the alphabet.
When Adult Learners Ask for Libraries
As these women began gaining confidence in reading, something remarkable happened—they started showing a keen interest in exploring and started asking for more books.
They wanted spaces where they could continue practicing, explore stories, and share the joy of reading with their families. Responding to this, URMEE began setting up small community libraries in their villages.
To support this initiative URMEE started a fundraiser and raised approximately 240 books, which has helped expand URMEE’s Rotational Book Library across 10 villages in the Khed block of Maharashtra, impacting 148 newly literate individuals.
The impact of these books is already visible
The books have created a positive impact, sparking a growing interest in reading among newly literate individuals. For adult learners, children’s storybooks provide a gentle and encouraging entry point. With access to simple books especially in their mother tongue language, learners are building confidence and sustaining their reading practice.
Reading ability and comprehension have improved, alongside a strengthening of the community’s reading culture. Newly literate participants are actively seeking out books, practicing regularly, and progressing steadily from Level 1 (Emergent) to Level 4 (Fluent).
Women who once hesitated to hold a book are now reading aloud with confidence. In many homes, children and grandchildren sit beside them—listening, learning, and often reading together. Storybooks have become a bridge between generations, creating shared moments, joy of reading and imagination even in the midst of busy lives.
Watching newly literate women engage with these books, reading with determination and growing in confidence has been deeply moving. Above all, this initiative is reinforcing a powerful belief: that it is never too late to learn, and never too early to share a story.
Thank You for Making This Possible
This impact has been made possible by the collective support of donors who chose to give the gift of reading.
Because of you, these libraries are not just shelves of books—they are spaces of aspiration, dignity, and new beginnings.
