Hello friends, greetings from Seem!
After hibernating through the cold winter months, Happy Children’s Library sprung to a spurt of activities in March. So here’s the latest from us!
Construction of Vocational-cum-Training Centre and Resource Room
In order to have space to accommodate the Self Help Group for their stitching work and to have a dedicated space for vocational and other training purposes, we constructed an additional room.
With help from friends and well wishers, we have been able to build the new facility in the two months that the library was closed due to the winter break.
The VTC and Resource Room in different stages of construction
We convey our sincere thanks to all for your unstinted support, both moral and financial, that helped us add the above facilities to the library.
Happy Children’s Library goes virtual!
The YouTube channel Lumiere Light & Insight is a platform for women professionals. They interviewed Jaya on their “Torchbearer Thursday” event on 18th February, 2021. Jaya spoke about the library’s journey since its start in June 2016. You can watch the event online at https://youtu.be/Kxs2AEItOW4
Inauguration of VTC
On 8th March, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Vocational-cum-Training centre was inaugurated. Kusum, an SHG coordinator from Chirag, Mamta from Udhyam, an entrepreneurship development platform in Kumaon, and Prema, who has started her own stitching business with support from Udhyam, were invited to inaugurate the centre. They gave information on the formation and operation of SHGs, the loaning procedure of Udhyam, and the experience of setting up a business.
The graduates from the stitching classes have decided to take up stitching on a regular basis and are now using the available facility to its fullest.
Sale of products
Even before the end of the tailoring training programme, we received orders for custom made masks, buntings, and other products. With assistance from Rohini, Tautik, and their friends from Delhi, we have been able to source good material and designs. The group is now producing quality items such as masks, pouches, bags, aprons, and table linen.
Until today, the group has sold goods worth more than Rs 8000/- and there are demands being made for mass production!
What is encouraging is that there have been inquiries for the next training programme, which we plan to schedule soon. We hope that with time more women will be trained and will join the group to produce more such niche products for sale and adopt it as a means of livelihood.
Performance at Aarohi
The highlight of the quarter was a stage performance put up by the children who have been learning dance and theater. Nidhi has been training 12 girls the basics of Bharatnatyam and the children have perfected their moves to a rendition of “Achutam Keshavam”. Jayesh has worked with two groups to produce two plays – “Naraj Rang” for the children upto Class 5 and “Icchapoorna” with the older children.
It was decided to stage these performances to showcase the children’s talent and their training on 14th March. Aarohi, an NGO based in Peora permitted the use of their amphitheatre and invites were sent out to friends and schools in the area.
On the planned date, the performers, along with a parent/elder sibling boarded a bus for Peora at 9 AM. After a 2 hour journey, a grand reception, and a sumptuous lunch hosted by an anonymous friend, the children performed flawlessly, despite most of them having never been on stage before. Their performance won the audience’s heart. The gathering of over 150 people, a record breaking one for the area, cheered and applauded the children wholeheartedly. Many visitors commented on the confidence shown by the children, who could have competed with a show put up by any good city based school.
Tuition Classes
The tuition classes had been closed for some time now since school had started for the children from Class 6 onwards. The tuition classes have started in March, mainly for the younger children whose schools have not yet started and the older kids who may want to hone their computer skills.
It is a sight to see the toddlers, hardly able to speak clearly, coming to the library before time with their bags and bottles. We are still struggling to convince the parents that learning also is possible through fun and games!
Sunday Tuitions
For the children from Classes 9 – 12, Vijay has started Maths and Science classes from 21st March for 2 -3 hours every Sundays and holidays.
Library Outreach
Angelique Foundation had provided books, racks and tables for setting up an outreach library at Yogesh Joshi Memorial Shiv Shakti Public School, Devidhura in the District of Champawat. Due to the lockdown restrictions, this got delayed.
On 22nd March, we started the library at Devidhura. Some of our used books and books with more than one copy have also been added to the stock of books here.
Since Devidhura is very remotely located, the library, which is the first of its kind in the area, has been highly welcomed by the school and the community.
Jaya did a small session on how to set up and use books with the teachers and introduced the children to the world of stories and books. We concluded the session with Jayesh engaging all the children and staff with fun games.
Holi Celebrations
Holi was celebrated at the library with the usual gaiety on 28th March. The women and children all gathered for a fun filled afternoon of colours, music, dance and traditional sweets.
Visitors
In March, we had Parul and Beenal visiting from Ahmedabad. They spent a few days interacting with the kids and distributed schoolbags, stationery, sweets and toiletries to all the children, big and small.
A heartfelt thanks to all our friends in Ahmedabad, who made this hamper possible.
Veronica, who had interned with us in October 2019 for a month as part of her course at TISS, Mumbai, came for some time and interacted with the children once again.
Replication of Happy Children’s Library!
We are very heartened to report that Vishwaraj, who had interned with us for a month in January 2020 was inspired to set up a similar library in his hometown.
“ Yeah! I also started a small library in my locality. And the inspiration came after visiting Seem. So, thank you and Atul sir to have given me such a great experience”
Details of his library, ‘Darul Qutub’ are given below:
That’s all we have for you this time, so Goodbye everyone!
We end with best wishes for a safe and healthy time ahead of all our children and well wishers.
Wonderful.
Atul & Jaya, God bless you.
Kudos to the Team of Jaya & Atul , of engaging the children of Seem on a litracy platform.
Their selfless work is indeed plaudable.
God bless them both 🙏
Congratulations on addition of VTC…great development 👏👏👏…awesome dance n drama performance by these kids…n the festivities r something everyone in the village would be looking forward to enthusiastically …hope n joy all the way 🌈🌈🌈
Our Greetings and Best Wishes to Jaya and Atul for adding yet another feather to their cap,of unique service to the people of Seem gaon in Kumaon !This uplifting of the children through the Happy Children’s Libraryas well their elder mothers and aunts through the recently established Vocational Training Centre is indeed a very plus plus as it raises their entrepreneur capabilities by making and selling useful items of every day use.Once again God Speed and more Progress to your noble cause! Keep it up my dear HHs!
I am so happy for you all for making such wonderful progress and bringing so much happiness into the lives of all the people around.
Congratulations , Jaya and Atul!
[…] and had been inspired by his experiences here to set up a similar library in Darbhanga (see details here). He again came over in the end of the quarter. He and a friend, Mancy, have taught the children […]