Libraries play an important role for rural communities having access to books in their own villages managed by the local stakeholders even in the era of technology. Access to needed books add great value in continuing their higher education. At the same time, it is important to know the meaningful use of technology. Rural libraries are the platform for building resilient communities keeping the values and local culture intact. READ India is harnessing the potential of rural people, enabling them to use the power of positivity and passion for progression in their lives.
While experienced librarians, experts, academicians always share their wisdom at various platforms for learning, READ India focus on building Communities of Practice, under the banner of “Libraries Beyond Books” by educating and skilling youth as way forward to gain direction in their own lives.
Every youth cannot become engineer or doctor, MBA or PhD, or any other higher level of diplomas, as more than 60 per cent of the youth in rural India, do not have financial or learning resources for building their capacity resulting in de-motivation. In the present times, when everyone is busy in one’s own affairs, the youth is deprived of a good mentor or guide who can hand hold them and guide them step by step how to progress in their lives and reach to their higher potential to lead a healthy and happy life with positive values.
The lack of opportunities in their home towns compel them to migrate to cities and do odd jobs and try to adjust in the life style they do not want to live, but succumb with no bright future for them. Their families also bear the brunt and live a life of depression, vaccum of love and emotions, insecurity and live of life of deprivation keeping their expectations aside.
Reflecting on the READ India’s journey of 16 years, working on the ground, understanding the mindsets of rural communities by reaching the unreached and creating the opportunities at their doorsteps, to help them have a ray of hope, work hard and build one’s own capacity to live a life of dignity and self-respect with social and economic gains.
READ India, with Education and Skilling programmes integrated with life skills and sharpening their hidden talent, help them lead a life here they can resolve their own challenges in day-to-day life.
Skilling around 50,000 youth, both male and female, on various skills, enabling them to learn and earn on the model of “Every Home A Micro-Enterprise” help us to engage, empower, educate, employ and enhance their existing micro-enterprises and get suitable employability within their own villages.
At the same time, selection of the skilled team for conducting selected training, provide opportunities to get the suitable jobs at the local level at the READ Libraries. Peer learning is also a great opportunity for all to learn together as a team without local invisible conflicts. This helps in a great way to build communities for holistic growth. The time has come to change the thought process of the local community for co-operation, co-ordination, cohesiveness and with consideration of all.
Humane approach with “community at a first place” helps in a big way to build resilient youth as the future of the Nation.
