Floating Libraries are how Puhor keeps books in the hands of children who move every season. Children of migrant brick-kiln workers move from site to site with their families. A library in one place cannot serve them. So, with Pratham Books, we built libraries that move.
The first three Floating Libraries
On 5 May 2023, we set up three Floating Libraries across brick-kiln centres in Bajali district, including ABI, HBI, BBI, ANUP and JBI. Pratham Books, known for inclusive and diverse children’s books, supported the libraries.
Why “floating”
Each library is a portable collection that travels with the children between kiln and migration centres, so their reading does not stop when their families move.
Where it led
The network has since grown to 12 Floating Libraries across Bajali, Mandia, Chenga and Barpeta, and all of them are running today.
How Floating Libraries grew
- May 2023: three Floating Libraries across brick-kiln centres in Bajali
- January 2024: five at Mandia Migration Centre
- March 2024: two each at Chenga and Barpeta migration centres
- Today: 12 Floating Libraries, all running
Our partner, Pratham Books
Pratham Books publishes inclusive, diverse children’s books. Their support made the first libraries possible and helped with a second book donation at Bajali in March 2024.
Puhor, which means light in Assamese, is our education programme for children the system misses. It began in 2023 with books for children of migrant brick-kiln workers and now runs 12 Floating Libraries, Mohalla Classes and free JNVST and NMMSE coaching every year.
Frequently asked questions
Why are they called Floating Libraries?
Because each one is a portable collection that moves with the children between kiln and migration centres.
Can my company sponsor a Floating Library?
Yes. See CSR partnership.
How you can help
- Donate to Puhor: any amount, with an 80G receipt if you add your PAN.
- Volunteer with us in Bajali and Barpeta.
- Companies can fund Puhor through CSR.
About Puhor
Puhor, which means light in Assamese, is the education programme of Jan Briddhi Foundation. It has two strands that run every year.
Books and Floating Libraries reach the children of seasonal brick-kiln workers in Bajali, Mandia, Chenga and Barpeta through book donation drives, portable libraries set up with Pratham Books, and Mohalla Classes where children read and learn together. Mentoring and coaching reach rural students through free JNVST coaching for Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya admission, free NMMSE coaching for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship, and guidance for government job aspirants.
Results are reported year by year: more than 120 children received books in 2022-23, 12 Floating Libraries are running today, 7 students cleared the JNV entrance test in 2023-24, and more than 150 students won NMMS scholarships up to July 2022. See the Puhor programme.
About Jan Briddhi Foundation
Jan Briddhi Foundation is a registered Section 8 not-for-profit company in Bajali, Assam, working since 2022 where help is hardest to reach: brick-kiln camps, flood-hit villages and rural schools. It runs four programmes: the Green Plate Initiative, Puhor, Disaster Relief and NearBlood. It holds 12AB and 80G registrations, so donations are tax-deductible for donors who add their PAN, and is CSR-1 registered. Read our impact reports.
Support Puhor. Read more about the programme, or help it grow.
