My Project

Personal Project: Transforming a School Library (2019)

In December 2017, I first learned about Sree Bhagavati English Medium School, an underprivileged school in a rural village in Kerala, India. The state of their library struck a chord with me—it lacked the vibrancy I had been fortunate to experience in my own schooling. I knew I had to do something to make their learning environment more colourful and engaging, giving students a space that would inspire and enhance their learning experience.

By December 2018, I travelled to India with the sole purpose of bringing this project to life. I assembled a small, passionate team, including three students with a love for the arts. Over the course of three weeks, we transformed the library into a lively, welcoming space. The journey wasn’t without its challenges—frequent travel, budget constraints, and power outages meant we often worked in the dark. Despite these hurdles, we pushed through, making the best use of our time and resources.

The most rewarding part of this project was witnessing the joy and excitement on the students’ faces as they walked into the newly transformed library. It was a humbling experience, one that made every struggle worth it.