Located in the premises of the house of the promoters in village Seem, Happy Children’s Library is a lively and vibrant space the children feel is their own. Every evening from Monday to Saturday, it becomes a “MySpace” for not just the children of Seem, but also to kids from four surrounding villages – Dhon, Byasi, Siltona and Jogyari.

With some help from family and friends, Jaya & Atul furnished a spare room with a few bookshelves, a soft board and seventeen passed on books!  

On June 1, 2016, they opened a “still-in-progress” library for the children of Seem & Dhon. It was heartening to see 35 curious kids turn up and in the next two days, the number swelled to 50. Since it was the holiday season, children from Delhi/Lucknow etc. who were visiting their grandparents also started attending. The initial two weeks went in understanding the needs and expectations of the youngsters, who – though shy – turned up everyday.

With a small budget of rupees 5000/-, story books  from “Pratham” and “Tulika” were procured on a war footing. Friends and acquaintances chipped in with story books based on a wish list and soon, the library shelves were full of bright and colourful books. All the books are curated carefully by Jaya to ensure that the right type of material is available for the  children.

The children themselves were given the task of naming the library and “Happy Children’s Library” was a popular choice through a cast of votes.  What began as a small library turned out to become a “library and activity centre”, since along with storytelling & reading, art & craft, puzzles and board games were gradually added. This was a dire need since the children had no other place in or around the village to explore their creativity and engage in some interesting and fruitful activities.

In December 2016, the library was transformed into a “professional looking” one, thanks to Angelique Foundation’s help with 500+ story books, book racks, posters and low tables.

The growth of the library has been organic and need based add-ons have blended very smoothly into the purpose and essence of the library.  Now, on an average, 30 – 40 kids attend the library daily; during summer holidays and celebrations, the number goes up to 60 and more.

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton