Blog written by Ceneen Muzawar from Mobile Outreach Program
Finding your true calling can happen in the most unexpected places even on a cricket pitch. My life changing journey with Bookworm in Goa started simply enough when a friend dragged me along to a Skill Training workshop. I soon realized that Bookworm isn’t just like any other library where only lending and borrowing of books happens; it is a living, breathing community. Bookworm offers diverse library programs designed to foster a love for reading. After attending the workshop, I was offered a job as a Mobile Outreach Program (MOP) Program Assistant. Taking a huge leap, my colleague, Melcom made me the lead for a brand new Travelling Library site: Maina Pilern.
The Cricket Pitch Encounter:
The site was originally identified by my colleagues Vaibhavi and Geeta. When I first arrived there with the Traveling Library van, the children ran away. When Geeta and I went over and asked why they fled, the children laughed and explained that it was the start of their summer vacation. They didn’t want to read or study, they only wanted to play cricket. We struck a deal with the children: give us an hour to show you some books, and we’ll play cricket with you at the end of the session. We promised to visit every Monday from 4:00 to 5:00 PM for fun, interactive sessions. The children’s response to our very first session was amazing. We wrapped up the afternoon with a great game of cricket and a promise to see them next week on Monday.
Book Scavenger Hunt:
For our very first library engagement activity, we brought a mystery box filled with miniature animal toys. The book scavenger hunt was incredibly exciting. When the children pulled a toy animal from the mystery box, they knew exactly what to do. They quickly dashed to the bookshelves in the travelling library van, to search for the book that had that animal on the cover page. One little boy shouted with joy when he found a book featuring the exact same animal as his toy.
The game was a huge hit because it combined a surprise reveal with a fun book search. We had a good experience, watching the joy of children enjoying the activity and recommending certain books which they want to read. Raj asked me to bring books on Marvels whereas few of them wanted Fairytales and were drawn to the board books. All the children were eager to know what activity we will be doing next week. The children were happy when I remembered their names by the end of that session. When we were leaving the same children who ran away from the Travelling library van were now running behind the van saying do come again.
I love being a part of the Bookworm family and sharing these unique experiences. A huge thank you to the community of Maina Pilern for welcoming us so warmly. I am so excited to host many more sessions with the children here.