Gincia, an 8th grader at a Government School, lives with her parents at the Rehabilitation Camp for Sri Lankan Tamil Refugees in Thappathi, Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu, and has been attending the JRS Complementary Education Classes in Thappathi for the past eight years, navigating a life of challenges and small triumphs. 

‘My father, who works as a painter at construction sites, continually inspires me with his belief in the power of education. Despite the constraints of our situation, his encouragement has been a source of motivation for me. For the past eight years, the CEC in Thappathi has been my sanctuary, offering a safe space for my evening studies.  Since the Library Corner was introduced in the CEC in our camp, it has become a cherished retreat. With its collection of captivating children’s books, I have explored new world and expanded my horizons. Over the past year, I’ve read 27 books, including the biography of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, “Vaazhkai Ungal Kaiyil” (“Life is in your hands”) and various issues of ‘Thumbi’, a children’s magazine.  

JRS Tamil Nadu project in India has established 80 CECs across the Sri Lankan Rehabilitation Camps, each featuring a dedicated Library Corner. These spaces allow students to read books beyond their school syllabus during their free time. The Library Corners collectively offer 8,764 books covering a range of topics, including general knowledge, English grammar, moral values, stories, and drawings. These resources are designed to encourage reading and enrich students’ extracurricular activities.   

“Each visit to the library has been a journey of growth, enhancing my vocabulary and comprehension while fuelling my passion for reading. The weekly discussions with fellow students about our reads have further ignited my love for books and fostered a sense of community. Through these literary adventures, I’ve found inspiration and clarity, guiding me to lead a value-based life and connect with the wisdom of great minds. In the midst of the camp’s confines, books have become my constant companions, illuminating my path and enriching my life in ways I never imagined.”