Discarded Bus Turned Into Library For Underprivileged Kids In Meghalaya, Thanks To A Teachers' Group

Real teachers not only impart knowledge in the classrooms, they ensure that the students get every opportunity to learn outside as well. This notion, perhaps, was brought to life in Meghalaya, by a group of teachers, who noticed a discarded bus and turned it into a small library.

Teachers from Tura Government College in Tura, Meghalaya, came up with the idea of building a mini library, which could also double up as a multi-utility unit. Their intent - to help their financially underprivileged students, who were struggling with basic amenities like books, stationery, clothes and even affordable meals.

"Our greatest achievement lies in the involvement of the students, in converting every nook and corner of the abandoned metal piece, into a functional unit. And for whom? For themselves and their friends, who struggle with basic amenities; be it notepads, reading materials or even umbrellas to walk to college," said assistant professor, Jena G Momin.

"If we, a bunch of teachers and students from a small town can do it, so can anyone in the world. For us, the journey has just begun."

These students, originally from far flung villages, come to live with distant relatives in Tura, a town which has a decent education system to offer. After all, for them, education is the only way out of poverty and the government run college offers these kids a chance at that.

The teachers of the college are an immediate witness to the hardships that these kids face in their quest and find their own little ways to help out kids in need - be it through free private learning sessions for deaf and mute kids or by sourcing free books for them.

Namrata Nongpiur

It was during one of their brainstorming sessions, that the teachers from the English Department decided to use a discarded college bus and restore it into something useful for the college kids. Hence began the project where teachers and students collaborated to conceptualise and design a library. The said library project evolved into becoming a multi-utility unit which would allow people to donate used or new items such as books, stationery, clothes, etc.

Namrata Nongpiur

They added a ¡®drop¡¯ area in the bus for whoever wished to drop items meant for the students who might want to pick whatever they felt necessary. People could donate used/new books, pens, notebooks, bags, umbrellas, clothes, shoes and other utility items.

Namrata Nongpiur

The cost for the entire project was borne by 7 teachers from the department with each teacher donating a sizable amount to kickstart the project. However, the work had to be stalled because the teachers were without their salaries for two months. The project was re-initiated after their salaries were credited and some good samaritans contributed books and cash to aid the work further.

Namrata Nongpiur

The students of the college were clearly excited by this idea and were eager to be a part of the project. Because they could not contribute through funds, the students rendered their services to give the bus a new look.

"I'm thankful to our lecturers for giving us the opportunity to be a part of this unique project. The words of motivation written on the bus is something that really inspires us. Through this project, we¡¯ve learnt that even the most worthless thing can be turned into something useful," said Danchi Kadesil B. Marak, a student.

According to one of the teachers, the student-teacher bond appeared to become much stronger as compared to pre Covid times.

Namrata Nongpiur

The concept of take-and-go books, stationery, clothes and pretty much anything one may need is an unheard of concept in the town and is being seen as a means to facilitate an exercise of trust, honesty, and an independent ability to gauge the ideology of need vs want.

The teachers believe that this project will not only meet the basic requirements of innumerable students in need, but also instil a sense of moral and social responsibility among the students and staff of the college alike.

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