Sambhavna – Pustakalay

Sambhavna-Pustakalay is a child-friendly library initiative designed to provide a safe space for learning, personal growth, and community-building for children and youth from marginalized backgrounds. This program is crucial, especially for those without internet access, offering a valuable alternative for knowledge and development in underserved rural and urban areas.

While internet access is common in some parts of the world, India still has over 644 million people without internet access, particularly in rural and border areas. For children in these communities, Sambhavna-Pustakalay is often the only source of structured knowledge, enabling equitable educational opportunities.

Sambhavna-Pustakalay libraries serve as safe havens where children can share their thoughts, concerns, and experiences. These libraries foster open communication and mutual support among children, helping to create a community-focused approach to child protection. They also support the creation of school-based child parliaments for developing leadership and social responsibility.

These libraries cater to children who often face threats like trafficking, child labor, abuse, neglect, and limited access to education. Sambhavna-Pustakalay aims to raise awareness among children about these issues, while sensitizing local stakeholders—such as panchayat members, school committees, and law enforcement—about the challenges these children face.

The library has a three-tiered structure to accommodate different age groups and educational needs:

1. Tier 1: Books for children up to Class V, including picture books, short stories, and tales like Panchatantra.
2. Tier 2: Books for students from Classes VI to XII, including school course books and NCERT publications.
3. Tier 3: Books for young adults preparing for competitive exams (e.g., UPSC, state civil services, banking).

1. Encourages a habit of reading.
2. Increases enrollment in formal education.
3. Reduces school dropout rates.
4. Provides counseling for children and youth.
5. Offers career counseling for young adults.
6. Enhances child safety through awareness.
7. Educates on constitutional values and child-related laws.
8. Teaches awareness of safe interactions (good touch/bad touch).
9. Raises awareness of trafficking and abuse prevention.

Sambhavna-Pustakalay aims to not only educate but also empower marginalized children to build safe, informed, and resilient communities.