Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
District Saharanpur, U.P.
In Partnership with Vidya Gyan
- We're proud to announce our largest partnership to date: working with Vidya Gyan USA and Chance Foundation to launch libraries and fund scholarships in rural Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
- RLE fundrasied from November 2024 to January 2025, which culminated in:
- $2000 donation from Chance Foundation
- $5000 matching pledge from Vidya Gyan USA
- $800 raised via crowdfunding
- Total: $7800+, fueling both pilot school libraries and the VIDYA Scholarship Program.
PILOT LIBRARIES IN 6 schools
Vidya Gyan’s SUPER-Schools Network (22 rural schools across Saharanpur) has nurtured education for over a decade. After our funds were set, RLE conducted a needs assessment at each of these schools and narrowed our pilot library funding to 6: launching libraries in 6 institutions (Grades K–8 and Grades 6–8). These libraries will provide a diverse collection of books and magazines to over 500 students to help develop literacy.
Objectives
After conducting a 2-month needs assessment (via interviewing teachers and students, surveys, focus groups, and reviewing classroom needs), RLE has set the following goals for our pilot libraries:
- Foster curiosity towards contemporary literature beyond the school curriculum
- Build parent trust and enrollment
- Provide a replicable model for future school libraries in rural India
Timeline: Libraries to be installed by August 2025
VIDYA SCHOLARSHIP
VIDYA Scholarships – “Vision for Inclusive Development of Young Aspirants”
In celebration of Vidya Gyan’s Dynamic Decade 2025, Vidya Gyan launched the first cohort of VIDYA Scholars in August, co-funded by RLE.
- $400 per student-teacher pair annually
- Covers programming, materials, and mentorship
- ₹6,000/year on maintaining 65%+ grades
- ₹1,000 bonus for 70%+ scorers
- Post-Grade 12 support for NEET/JEE prep
- Scholar Expectations
- Maintain strong academic performance
- Volunteer with the Super 20 initiative
- Join Zoom mentoring sessions
- 2025 VIDYA Scholarship Recipients: RLE will fund all 4 pairs at $400 each
- UPS Jainpur → Siya, Shruti, Sakshi (mentor: Ravindra Goel)
- UPS Sabdalpur → Riya, Abhi, Priya (mentors: Smrity Choudhary, Anuj Gupta)
Collaborations and sponsors
Vidya Gyan (USA/India) –
Strategic partner, $5,000 matching pledge, co-administers VIDYA Scholarships
Children's book trust
All books procured through our publishing partnership with Children’s Book Trust
Leadership Team
Shaunya Kumar, RLE FOUNDER
AMit Gupta, Vidya GyanSecretary
Contact: shaunya@ruralliteracyempowerment.org
VIjendra Agarwa, Vidya GyanCo-Founder & President
VIjendra Agarwa, Vidya GyanCo-Founder & President
Contact: vidyagyan2014@gmail.com
Thank you to author Nina Hamza for supporting us!
Her two novels will be featured at both our pilot schools. Learn more about her here!
Shout out to donors Gerry and Dave!!
Pictured: Dave and Shaunya
Gerry Spry and Dave Foy are leaders at Shishu Mandir, an NGO school in Bangalore, India that recruits students from underserved communities and provides them a holistically challenging education. They're sponsor parents for several students at the institute, along with teaching full-time and running the sister nonprofit Friends of Shishu Mandir in America.
I had the incredible opportunity to connect with them and am immensely grateful for their support and advice for Rural Literacy Empowerment, including their donations to this project. RLE's looking forward to continue working with them!
ADDITIONAL Books and Authors we funded
We’re excited to bring in an array of books spanning various genres in English, Hindi, and Marathi.
- Madhuri Purandare (HI/MR); Grades K–4 – Includes Laloo the Cat and Kikinak
- The Cat in the Ghat by Ambika Rao (EN/HI/MR)
- Sandhya Rao (EN/HI/MR); Grades K–5 – Includes My Mother’s Sari and Ekki Dokki
- Aunsha Ravishankar (EN/HI/MR); Grades K–4
- Ashok Rajagopalan (EN/HI/MR); Grades Pre-K–2
- 101 Indian Children’s Books We Love! (MR); Grades Pre-K–5
- Devdutt Pattanaik’s Children’s Books; Grades 1–4
- Arefa Tehsin (EN/HI/MR); Grades K–3 – Includes The Globetrotters and Do Tigers Drink Blood?
- Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (EN/HI)
- My First Sudha Murty Collection: A Set of 4 Chapter Books (EN/HI); Grades K–4
- Nandini Nayar (EN/HI/MR); Grades Pre-K–9 – Includes The White Elephant of Cleanliness and When Amma Went to School
- Sudha Murty (EN/HI/MR); Grades K–9
- Nilima Sinha (EN/HI/MR); Grades 1–6 – Includes Hamirpur ke Khandahar and The Chandipur Jewels
- Festival Stories: Through the Year by Rachna Chhabria (EN/HI/KA); Grades 4–5
- Uncle Moon for Sale by Rachna Gilmore (EN/HI/MR); Grades 4–5
- The Unboy Boy by Richa Jha (EN/HI/MR); Grades 4–5
- The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri (EN/HI/MR); Grades 7–9
- Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed (EN/HI); Grades 8-9
- The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy (EN/HI/MR); Grade 9
- Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri (EN/HI/MR); Grade 9
We’re excited to bring in an array of books spanning various genres in English, Hindi, and Marathi
Magazine SUbscriptions
- Chandamama (EN/HI/MR) - A popular Indian children's magazine featuring stories, folklore, and moral tales.
- Magic Pot (EN/H/MRI) - An educational and fun magazine for young readers, with stories, puzzles, and activities.
- National Geographic Kids (EN) - A magazine that introduces children to the wonders of science, nature, and world cultures.
- Young Scientist (EN) - A magazine that makes science fun and accessible for young learners.
- RobinAge (EN) - An Indian children's newspaper that covers current events, stories, and educational articles.
- BBC Knowledge (EN) - A magazine that covers a wide range of topics, including science, history, and nature, tailored for young readers.
- Tell Me Why (EN) - A magazine that answers curious questions about science, history, and technology.
- Reader's Digest (EN/HI) - Offers a variety of articles, including inspiring stories, humor, and practical advice.
- The Week Junior (EN) - A news magazine aimed at children, providing current events, history, and fun facts.
- Amar Chitra Katha (EN/HI/MR) - Comic books and magazines that bring Indian mythology, history, and folklore to life.
We're open to recommendations as well. Let us know your thoughts by reaching out!