PustaCar Library-on-Wheels
Children learn reading best when presented with material that they WANT to read. Picturesque,
beautifully printed books fit this need. And then, in a country and culture where students do not have the habit or the means
to go to non-existent public libraries, how do you make these books available? There is the idea of equipping every school.
That takes more money than the idea of a mobile library. This is what we have done.
Using a single collection of
4,000 books (expanding to 10,000 by 2011) VHF is able to get as many children reading. The books are delivered by our van
to participating schools on a rotation. Children select the book they want to read. There is no home work. This is for pleasure.
They read, they learn to read, and they learn spellings etc. all while enjoying themselves. Furthermore, the books impart
accidental knowledge too. The children's general knowledge improves.
Metrics to measure effectiveness are being
designed so that the effectiveness of the program can be measured. The books cost, on average, about $0.40 each. Go ahead,
donate $40 and get 100 kids reading, for ever...
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ChitraCar Video-on-Wheels
If, as
a popular saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words, then surely a video is worth a million. Visual
imagery is still a luxury of the rich. It is, however, one of the most powerful and effective means of teaching. Whether it
is health and hygiene, local or global geology, one's own or world history, or the beauty of the pyramids, the parthenon,
or the Taj, words can't do for a child what a video show can.
VHF has equipped
a video-on-wheels van, complete with batteries, DVD's and DVD player, amplifiers, speakers, and even a collapsible 8-foot
screen. The shows include topics of academic interest, of social interest; on water, on crops and farm practices, and so on...
The shows have been received with enthusiasm so long as the language is local. This remains
a challenge as high quality local documentaries are few in India. We welcome information.
To
see list of participating schools click here. To sign up your school for participation, please contact us.
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