Library cum Reading room in smaller villages

I would like to invite a discussion on "how effective would be providing a reading room/library in underpriveleged villages, towards furthering education for the masses".

Logistically, it should require very minimal effort to bootstrap the idea. Premises could be rented and it could have the bare minimum facilities of a working desk, some chairs and good lighting arrangement. Over time, the premises can be used as a platform for enabling computer literacy. Maybe it can have minimalistic collection of textbooks to start with. It is not too difficult to mobilise used school/college textbooks from bigger cities.

Key Question: Is it a need felt by the student community?
Survey Question: Did you feel such a need while obtaining education?

I am Dhandu, colleague of Harish. I recently visited India. When I was talking to My cousin brother, he works as Teacher in Govt high school in a remote village in Northern Tamilnadu called Sempalli, closest town is called Gudiyattam around 160 Kms from Bangalore and 155 Kms from Chennai.

This school has computer lab without computer. There are some teachers are trained to teach computer. So my cousin asked me some help to the village kids. These kids are from very poor families and they do not even saw the computer other than Movie or television.

I request you, friends if you have some old computer in working condition where you are just going to dump it in some corner. You can donate these computers to these poor village kids. I can make arrangements to pick from Bangalore or Chennai.

Please let me know, You can reach me at dhands_s@yahoo.com.

Setting up a computer lab for a govt school

I recently came across an opportunity that is about kickstarting a computer lab at a small government school. My friend, Dhandu, will be shortly posting more details about the school, the actual need and the various ways in which we can help.

If you have some old computers at home or work, that you are not using and can be of help to the school kids, then I request you to donate them to the school rather than throwing it or selling it for peanuts.

The school can make great use of it. Thanks a lot .. Those wishing to know more or get in touch about how to make the contribution ..

Drop me a mail at h.asterix@gmail.com or Contact Dhandu at dhand_s@yahoo.com.

What is NGO

I am building awareness about NGO. My initial plan of action is to formulate the basis for an organisation. I came across this link during my search http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-governmental_organization.

I expect to get some help and feedback from people who have worked with NGO or are currently associated.

Idea about the project

The difference in approach is to seek students who need help rather than they looking for us. This would involve different kind of work. Form local support groups who will devote some time to interact with the local government schools and get ground facts about the kind of help that the institution and its students need to continue education. These issues can be tackled through local corporate sponsorship and funds collected through a registered NGO.

Invite volunteers at local level

How about inviting volunteers to do a field survey at some sample locations in India.
The survey could include visit to local schools and meet faculty and find out the number of drop-outs every year, the reason behind dropping-out. We could understand the pattern and also single out the major factors.
The schools included need to be just government schools because I feel that students to private schools would not be requiring outside intervention, counselling or help to a big extent.

An appeal for ideas and discussion

Education helps a nation grow. I would like an online discussion started on how to contribute to the society and ensure education till secondary levels for each individual.
Last few years saw initiatives from the state & central govt for getting primary education to all citizens.
However, what I feel is the pressing need for each student to get educated at least till School Completion (Std X). Due to lack of finances, a lot of students drop out of school every year. There are scholarships for higher education and aid for students belonging to certain faith/region/caste. But everyone is still not catered.
Please use this forum to come forward and discuss how the educated and well heeled Indian can help build a fundamentally strong India.