The construction of the Dumi Gaon Reading Room Resource and Education Foundation (DGRRREF) and the work on the Sikkim Project: The Land and its People, began simultaneously, and both were completed at the same time (2016-2019).
DG Reading Room Resource and Education Foundation is a community library set up to provide a creative space for children to read, paint, and play. It gives free and safe access to books while committing to creating a positive learning environment for young and adult learners. With the hope, that they become reflective and responsible global citizens through reading, writing, art, technology, and other life skills.
Other than the space itself and the website as its presentation, DGRRREF has another significant component that was conceptualized in 2021. The outreach programme, ‘Reading for Joy’ began operating as a collaborative initiative with four different government schools in and around Assangthang and Salghari, South Sikkim. Now the collaborating schools include Nandugaon Senior School, Purano Namchi Primary School, Gurunggaon Junior High School, and Dhargaon Primary School. We are fortunate to have the support of the local school principals and teachers. Through our observations and interactions with the children visiting the Reading Room, we found that most of them struggle to read. Therefore, the purpose of the programme, ‘Reading for Joy’ is to inculcate a love for books and improvement of their reading and writing skills. The level of interest in books and reading has increased in these children. By introducing reading as a joyful activity amongst the children, we have seen the beginning of a joyous journey of discovery and empowerment. But we know our journey has just begun and there is a long way to go.
Since 2022, we began the ‘Winter Programme’ to prevent the lapse of learning in winter while fostering children’s engagement in reading, writing, and science, which has been achieved to a significant extent. Our recent session was a 7-week programme (December 2023 to January 2024) including Sunday sessions with the children. We are pleased to share that it was a success, with more than 50 participants from South Sikkim (Dumigaon, Assangthang, Gurunggoan, Dhargoan, Alley, and Namchi). We taught phonics with younger children, teaching them sounds of the alphabet, blending, family words, long vowels, short vowels etc, alongside fun play activities for kindergarten children. The older children were mostly engaged with the reading, writing, and science activities. The morning affirmations led by children became a source of joy and inspiration for all involved. In the interview with children who participated in the winter programme, their responses highlighted their love for science and the fun writing activities alongside improved reading skills. Alongside the positive responses, some children expressed a desire for an extension of the Winter Programme. This shows a keen interest in a continuous learning experience, which is something we hope to continue to foster.
The Reading Room is available for workshops and other cultural activities.
Contact details:
Email: [email protected]
Phone number: 8918775938
Photo Gallery
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Designed by NWD.