Bookwallah's programs are meant to not only improve the children's reading skills, but also to help heal children who have undergone trauma. We believe by sharing the joy of reading and imagination we can make a tremendous impact to the lives of many of these children.
Bookwallah measures success in multiple ways. The children are encouraged to participate in Bookwallah's Reading Services and other creative, imaginative activities. These Reading Services take place as a result of collaboration with local volunteers and partnership with local NGOs. We also believe creating vibrant spaces within the children's home/orphanage and providing quality storybooks and chapterbooks increase the chances of the children using their new library. The libraries of imagination are in their home making it easily accessible.
Although we are a young organization, we would like to share with you a few early success stories.
11 years, Indian.
Nandini's parents are homeless and beggars in the streets of India. Her alcoholic father abused both wife and kids. An organization found Nandini and her sister and brought them to an orphanage.
Although Nandini is always late to reading sessions, she can read faster than any kids of her level. While she can express her thoughts well, she still needs help with grammar. Her favorite hobbies are Cricket, Dancing, and Reading.
Nandini has shown improvement since the reading sessions began in June 2011.
10 years, Indian.
Renu's father died in an accident. Her mother abandoned her at an orphanage because she did not have the means to take care of her.
Renu has a tremendous amount of energy and is described as quite "hyper-active". She enjoys having a volunteer sit with her when she reads. Her hobbies include Drawing and Cricket.
Renu jumped a level since reading sessions began in June 2011. She can now read books which have 2-5 sentences per page.
10 years, Indian.
Juhi's mother died and her father remarried. Her new step mother did not want to take care of her and so her father was forced to leave her at an orphanage.
Juhi is a very quiet kid. She does not share her thoughts very easily. You have to ask her a lot of questions before she opens up. Juhi is very interested in the reading sessions. She likes Drawing and Kho-Kho.
Juhi moved up a level since the reading sessions began. She reads books with 2-5 sentences/page.
14 years, Indian.
Pinki's father committed suicide. Her mother came from a poor family and did not have the means to financially support her. She left Pinki at an orphanage.
Interestingly, Pinki has attended only a few reading sessions to date, but has shown a lot of improvement in her reading levels. She does not like to speak in English. She says she can express her thoughts better in Telegu. Her hobbies include Singing, Reading, and Kabadi.
Currently, Pinki can read books with 6-14 sentences per page.
12 years, Indian.
Sonam's parents are divorced, a situation not socially acceptable in many Asian cultures. Although, Sonam's mother got custody, she did not have the means to financially support her. Sonam's mother ended up leaving her at the orphanage in hopes for a better life.
Sonam is a very bright kid. She can grasp concepts very quickly. Her hobbies include playing Kho Kho, Kabadi, and Cricket.
Sonam has moved up a level since reading sessions began and can currently read books with 2-5 sentences per page.
12 years, Indian.
Manisha's father left her mother and siblings alone with no financial support after he remarried. Manisha's neighbors/relatives brought Manisha and her sister to an orphanage.
Manisha is the loudest of the lot of children who live in this orphanage. She has ego clashes with her sister. She gets very excited when we do an activity. Though she reads really well, she likes to finish her story quickly and sit around. Thus, she misses the details of the story when quizzed.
Manisha can now read books that have 6-14 sentences per page.
