Coming together for a cause

Dear friends

It has been a long time since we connected with you. Hope all of you are doing fine! The two years have gone past us in a whiff. We’ve experimented new ways to help children read, owing to the pandemic – but some of it has probably become the norm now! (Another day another post on these musings). We formed new partnerships as the year began and our mission to spread the joy of reading has been going in full throttle.

With monsoons setting in Hyderabad, July 2nd was yet another chilly, wet and cloudy day. But that did not stop us from celebrating our sponsors, our volunteers and our partners who have been with us in our journey. Early in the morning on Saturday, our team proceeded towards Golkonda Fort to reach Bright Horizon Academy, a school in Mohalla Ghanj. It was a day with multiple things going on and we started it with our training “Inculcating Joyful Reading” for four of our partners. The day also included recognizing our volunteers and corporate sponsor and distribution of books to partner schools. Enjoy the virtual tour of our celebrations that day.

Enroute to BHA. BHA school building on the right

The morning started with our training for about 30 participants. I will write separately on the details of our first in-person training of the academic year. As I was handling the training in one of the rooms, there was a buzz of activity going on the other side. With Sreekala (new addition to the Joy of Reading family) leading, Apurva, Vamsi, Samanvit were getting everything ready for the upcoming event – final checking of the books to be distributed, verification of certificates to be distributed to our volunteers, coordinating with guests on direction to venue, etc.

Our volunteer force  headed by Sreekala -> Samanvit, Sreekala, Vamsi, Apurva

We had partners from four different organizations attend our training and the event. Naresh, Chakravarthi and Divya from Amma Social Welfare Association, Praveen and Prashanth from Hope Orphanage, two schools run by Sahayata Trust and teachers from our host Bright Horizon Academy (BHA). We had ear marked around 250 books to each school. And as you must know by now, we do not stop with just giving books but go a step beyond, and help schools understand how to run a library, and also techniques that help with inculcating reading systematically in children.

Come noon, guests started trickling in for our celebratory event. First, our little champs from Bright Horizons Academy who volunteered for us assembled. Representatives from our corporate sponsor arrived shortly- namely, Ms. Sadhana, Director R&D, CSR of Sakkugroup , Ms. Prienca and Ms. Gandharva . We were also joined by Mr. Azharuddin Mohammed, Director of Challenger Stem Schools of Sahayata Trust. It was time to recognize and celebrate everyones effort in helping us in our mission.

SakkuGroup was our biggest corporate sponsor this year who believed that reading is an important part of a child’s growth. Ms. Sadhana inaugurated the event with a brief talk on their company’s support for various causes and with specific focus on education. She mentioned that they believed and liked that Joy of Reading was making an impact in the field of education with its focus on enabling and developing a reading habit in children. She proffered her company’s support in Joy of Reading’s endeavors.

Thank you so much Ms. Sadhana. The money that Sakkugroup donated will go into buying various levelled books for around 20 schools. We and our partners express our heartfelt thanks to you and your organization.

Distribution of Books by Sakkugroup to BHA, Hope Orphanages, ASWA Foundation, Challenger Schools – Shaheen Bagh and Kishan Bagh

Mr . Azharuddin talked about the partnership between Sahayata and Joy of Reading. He also shared his life experiences and how reading impacted his own journey from being a boy from a rural background to becoming the head of multiple schools.

Sharing is what we have been taught to do all our lives. It’s the same philosophy when organizations involved in philanthropy joined together as well – sharing available resources with each other . Ms. Farida, principal of Bright Horizon Academy had given space in her school to Joy of Reading to store its books and conduct its sorting and packing operations. She did not stop there. When we needed help to record some training videos, she sent some of her wonderful little champs from the school to help. We showed our small appreciation to these little champs and Ms. Farida.

BHA LIttle Champs with Ms. Farida, School Principal BHA

It was then time for lunch sponsored by Sahayata Trust. The guests mingled and enjoyed Vegetable Biriyani, one of Hyderabad’s delicacies.

Sakku Groip, JoR, Sahayata Trust, BHA

During lunch we were joined by Adarsh and Aradhya Sriram who attended the event amidst their very many classes and school programs. Kudos to both for conducting and driving a book donation drive at their community complex. The children worked on flyers and communication on their own, with help from their mother Geetha . Together they collected around 700+ books for Joy of Reading which were also distributed as part of the event ! Our small token of appreciation to both the kiddos.

Sriram (father of kiddos),Harini, Aradhya, Adarsh, Sreekala

Finally here’s to Apurva Gadde, who had been our go to volunteer for all and sundry. She had stepped up at multiple instances during our book drives and ferried books from donors to our store. She was also the photographer of the event providing us these lovely captures. Our small appreciation for her invaluable contribution to the org. Thank you Apurva!

Farida mam presenting Apurva with a token of appreciation

There is a proverb that says “It takes a village to raise a child.” Indeed! It’s not just us who are involved in the mission to spread the joy of reading. From young to old, non profits to corporates, students to teachers – multiple people are involved to get this going. Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported and continue to support us in our journey. This wouldn’t have been possible without you.

Three cheers to all of us !

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