Muthathi is a small village located in the T. Narsipura block of Karnataka's Mysuru district. Most of the people here are daily wage labourers. Some of them work in agricultural fields, whereas some of them are small-scale farmers. Pratham decided to start the library program in the village, and two volunteers have ensured that it is implemented in the village with sincerity and dedication. Two friends Pallavi and Sitalakshmi - both pursuing their graduation from the nearby government college - have taken up the dual task of improving the learning levels of children and ensuring community participation.
"We wanted to do something for the village", begins Pallavi. "In college, we understand how important it is for children to know their basics right." Sitalakshmi further stresses that they want children to follow their footsteps. "But if they want to continue higher studies and enter college, they should be familiar with language and math." Both of them began with the library program in August 2017, and it continues even today.
"We observed that initially, children did not mingle well with each other. They came to our house but did not pay attention to what was told to them. They came because their parents sent them to us", says Pallavi. "However, activities brought a change in many of them. Soon it became a talking point in the village." Sitalakshmi nods in agreement, and they both narrate that more children joined the library because of the activities. They both also agree that writing is still a concern and both of them are trying their best to address it.
"But there is a change", says Sitalakshmi. "Some of the children are able to write well. When I dictate words, they write them down." Pallavi further says that she sometimes gives them keywords and they form a story. "We also give them a topic and children then talk about it. They now look confident and have become more expressive", she says. "The activities like drawing, painting, games, role-play and making models have also contributed to this."
Both Pallavi and Sitalakshmi want a visible change in their village. Their parents are daily wage labourers, but they could study till college because of the encouragement and motivation at home. "We want the same to happen with the children of our village", they say with a smile.
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| Pallavi |
"We wanted to do something for the village", begins Pallavi. "In college, we understand how important it is for children to know their basics right." Sitalakshmi further stresses that they want children to follow their footsteps. "But if they want to continue higher studies and enter college, they should be familiar with language and math." Both of them began with the library program in August 2017, and it continues even today.
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| Sitalakshmi |
"We observed that initially, children did not mingle well with each other. They came to our house but did not pay attention to what was told to them. They came because their parents sent them to us", says Pallavi. "However, activities brought a change in many of them. Soon it became a talking point in the village." Sitalakshmi nods in agreement, and they both narrate that more children joined the library because of the activities. They both also agree that writing is still a concern and both of them are trying their best to address it.
"But there is a change", says Sitalakshmi. "Some of the children are able to write well. When I dictate words, they write them down." Pallavi further says that she sometimes gives them keywords and they form a story. "We also give them a topic and children then talk about it. They now look confident and have become more expressive", she says. "The activities like drawing, painting, games, role-play and making models have also contributed to this."
Both Pallavi and Sitalakshmi want a visible change in their village. Their parents are daily wage labourers, but they could study till college because of the encouragement and motivation at home. "We want the same to happen with the children of our village", they say with a smile.
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