Libraries serve as a vibrant hubs of intellectual activity pulsating with the energy of a hundred creative, critical, and literary pursuits. This project will fill a school library at the Milaan School in rural Uttar Pradesh, India that will enable 500 primary and secondary students to access necessary learning materials, explore their imagination, participate in storytelling, and a space to engage in critical thinking.
Started in 2008, the Milaan School (SLRC) began with 10 students and 1 teacher in rural Uttar Pradesh. Since that time, the school has grown to 500 students and 20 teachers. Without electricity, computers, or internet students from the village remain largely apart from the world. This decreases their chances of pursuing higher education. In the immediate area, students have never been able to access a library, and the teachers struggle with engaging them in reading
As the amount of students has grown, the school itself has evolved as part of the community. The library was built to further engage students and increase interest from the community. A place which will develop critical thinking and facilitate learning the art of debate, making arguments and negotiation. Although a space has been created in the school: the room today remains without books or facilities. We hope to feed imaginations by creating a library of dreams for these students.
The Milaan Library will provide access to books for our 500 students and potentially other children from the surrounding villages. It would act as a gateway to accessing learning for students from all backgrounds, and be utilized to inspire students to use their imagination. The library will also be used to engage students further in creative extracurricular activities, tutoring, instill a deeper love of learning, and provide them with the keys to unlocking higher education opportunities.
