Puhor, our education programme, started with a single book drive. Brick kilns in Bajali run for only about six months a year. When families migrate to the kilns for work, parents usually have to bring their children with them. Schooling stops, and the risks of child labour and early marriage rise.
The first book distribution
Jan Briddhi Foundation organised a book distribution for children living at migration centres around six brick kilns in the district. Books and other learning materials were handed to the heads of each centre, so the children could keep learning during the kiln season and continue their studies when they return to their villages.
According to the report in Niyomiya Barta, more than 203 children at these centres gained access to basic learning materials through the drive. Our 2022-23 annual report records books for more than 120 children at six locations in Barpeta district through the project.
From one drive to a programme
This was the start of Puhor, which means light in Assamese. It grew into Mohalla Classes and a network of 12 Floating Libraries with Pratham Books, all still running.
In the news
Read the report in Niyomiya Barta (in Assamese).
What the first book drive grew into
- 12 Floating Libraries across Bajali, Mandia, Chenga and Barpeta, all running
- Mohalla Classes where children read and learn together
- Free JNVST and NMMSE coaching every year
Milestones
- 16 April 2023: books from the drive reach six brick-kiln centres; Mohalla Classes begin
- 5 May 2023: first Floating Libraries with Pratham Books
- 18 January 2024: five libraries at Mandia
- 2023-24: 7 students clear the JNV entrance test
Frequently asked questions
What does Puhor mean?
Puhor means light in Assamese.
What did the first book drive give children?
Books and other learning materials, handed to the heads of six brick-kiln centres so children could keep learning through the kiln season.
Who does Puhor help?
Children of migrant brick-kiln workers, and students in rural schools preparing for JNVST and NMMSE.
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.
