Book bank

The Sundarbans are among the most marginalized and inaccessible areas of India. The poverty is distressing, and the opportunities are extremely limited. PAZ and SSDC work based on intensive participation of the individuals involved. There are Village Development Committees, Women Groups, Kishore Kishori Bahini or Adolescent Groups, and the Child Parliament. Due to extreme poverty, many children are unable to attend school because they lack the funds to purchase books or materials, or they have to work to support their families. In order to increase opportunities and prevent dropouts, the Child Parliament took the initiative to establish a "book bank" and provide books to the poorest children.

Annually, the "book bank" reaches an average of 500 families. At the end of the school year, the books are passed on to siblings, relatives, or neighbours. The children who receive books are also monitored by SSDC annually, up until their higher secondary education. The results and the ultimate added value achieved are monitored by the social workers of SSDC.