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Children books for poor kids in India

Posted by owlbarn • 9/23/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: books, cause, donation, india, poor kids

I go to India every year and want to do something for the unprivileged kids there who don't get a chance to go to school. I want to bring books to them. Books which are supported with strong visual content. While doing this I have to make sure of a few things:

1. They don't know English so the content need to be strictly visual. Books with illustrations, colors and LEDs (I have seen many online)etc.

2. These books will be theirs to keep so they can look at it again and again. Hopefully this will bring little happiness to them each day.

3. I would rely on donations from people. Not in the monetary form but donations of books. I am expecting to get books from those who have no use for them anymore or their kids have grown out of them. Does the word 'DONATION' scare away most of the people?

I would love to know if there are people out there who think this an idea which would inspire them to participate, either by donating books or by giving ideas to make this possible.

You can reply here, send me shouts, private message or send tweets (twitter.com/myowlbarn).

User Comments

9/23/09

crpitt

Where would the books be sent to? Do you have extra baggage allowance to take them over?

[reply]
1. 9/23/09
  
  owlbarn
  
  Anybody who is interested in sending the books will contact me through email for more details.
  
  I'll ship the books in advance to my home address in India so the boxes are already there before I reach.
2. 9/23/09
  
  crpitt
  
  Are you doing this with a particular charity or just going out by yourself?
3. 9/23/09
  
  owlbarn
  
  This is something I want to do by myself. Involving a charity in need is not an easy task and there are other things which I can't deal with on an individual level.
9/23/09

polybore

It is a good idea. There is a local charity in polybore's area that is already doing this from an educational perspective. You might want to check out their web site and maybe get in touch if you are planning on doing something similar.

www.booksabroad.org.uk/

Would recommend the site to anyone, particularly if you are in the UK and you have books for donation.

[reply]
1. 9/23/09
  
  owlbarn
  
  Thank you for the link. I'll read some more about them. I'll posts updates here if it works out. Thanks again.
2. 9/24/09
  
  owlbarn
  
  I emailed them letting them know what I want to do and asking how can they help me, if they can. I'll keep posting updates here.
3. 9/28/09
  
  owlbarn
  
  Just wanted to post an update, as promised. I received a reply to my last email. They need some 'detailed proposal'. I'll reply to them tonight and will keep my fingers crossed.
9/23/09

amybyrd21

I like that idea. There is one my childrens church did with socks for vacation bible school because the country they donated to them to the kids couldnt go to school with out socks. (I found this weird) But I would totally donate books.

[reply]
1. 9/23/09
  
  owlbarn
  
  Thanks. Help me spread the word. If you want to donate or know someone who would like to donate books please do let me know. I can give you my email or they can give me theirs.
9/23/09

Shiley

I think it's a wonderful idea. There is a man in Ethiopia who is bringing libraries to poverty stricken regions of Africa www.ethiopiareads.org/ You might want to have a peek for some ideas.

[reply]
1. 9/24/09
  
  owlbarn
  
  Thanks for sending me the link. I'll sure I can find some useful ideas from the site.
9/23/09

Agit8r

I don't know how I'd be able to help, but it makes me want to WRITE children's books for children in India.

I wonder if anyone has publishing connections out there?

[reply]
1. 9/24/09
  
  owlbarn
  
  @ Agit8r I don't know how I'd be able to help
  You can help by spreading the word about this amongst your friends and family members. Thanks!
2. 10/03/09
  
  crazyTsu
  
  If you have some stuff ready it's easy to find the publishers. Just look at some popular books and the publisher's info will be right there
9/28/09

Funkkeejooce

I do something similar. In my case I donate pens and paper to the poor kids of the Philippines and also, I did this as well when I visited Mexico years ago. Everytime, I go to visit a poorer country I buy loads of pens, pencils, papers, etc for the poor children.

[reply]
1. 9/28/09
  
  owlbarn
  
  That's awesome. I am working on a website so it's easy for people to get more information. Do you have one too?
2. 9/28/09
  
  Funkkeejooce
  
  No I don't have a website about it. To be honest it never crossed my mind. It's something I do if i intend to visit a poor country and I am originally from Philippines and I know there are loads of children who can't afford to buy school materials there. I will look at your website in a bit and to answer your question, no - donation doesn't scare me away. I don't get hold of children's book since I don't have any of my own but I personally think what you do is great.
3. 9/28/09
  
  owlbarn
  
  I'll send you the link to the site once I finish working on it, if you would like? I'll love your feedback on it
10/03/09

owlbarn

Yay! I am so excited to tell you all that I have finished building the website for 'Give Books Give Smiles'. Check out the details at sites.google.com/site/givebooksgivesmiles/home and don't forget to donate

[reply]
1. 10/03/09
  
  timethief
  
  The site looks wonderful and I have taken a badge to post on my own site to raise awareness and garner donations.
10/10/09

owlbarn

Wanted to share with you all the website's new 'Supporters' page.

sites.google.com/site/givebooksgivesmiles/supporters

[reply]