Avery Dennison community learning center completes one year

In-depth need assessment survey and feasibility was conducted by Read India to understand the prevalent gaps in terms of access to education, information, knowledge material, existing livelihood generation skills, health awareness and capacity building opportunities among the underserved communities of Kardelwadi and Karegaon.   

 

During the initial months of the pandemic, reaching out to the underserved communities was difficult due to the risks associated with the outbreak. However, Read India mobilized the community and began conducting online sessions and training related to basic computer courses, reading and writing activities, early childhood development sessions and beauty wellness training.  

 

In June 2021, when pandemic regulations were eased, courses began physically at both centers. In the past one year, these centers have completed 15 batches of digital literacy course. The Community Library and Resource Center (CLRC) comprises a library of 300 books ranging from competitive exam preparation to NCERT, state board, science, technology and stories in Marathi, Hindi, English. Till date, more than 1400 community members have benefitted by a multitude of capacity-building training courses offered through the center.   

 

Read centers in Karegaon and Kardelwadi aims to provide a holistic education for the members of the community of all ages and backgrounds. The larger objective is to provide youth members of the community opportunities for different capacity-building training so that they continue to upgrade themselves to enhance their employability levels. The center is accessed by people from all age groups as the programs that are provided encompass a life cycle approach. Various activities, programs, sessions, and competitions are regularly conducted at the center.   

 

Dedicated sessions on personality development, financial literacy, micro-enterprises, career guidance, agriculture workshops, health awareness sessions are regularly organized at the center to empower rural women to become self-independent and strengthen their ability to make confident as well as responsible decisions.  

 

Both the centers are well connected with the adjacent villages of Saradwadi , Ramling , Shirur, Karde and Phalke mala.   

 

Since the establishment of the centers, marked improvements have been noted in the community. In the villages, women, students and other community members are eagerly participating in activities at the center. Read Centers have bridged the gap of access to learning resources which until now were only available in the nearby city of Pune, at a distance of more than 70kms from Ranjangaon MIDC area.   

 

Youth members of the community who were compelled to travel and migrate to far-off cities for competitive examination preparation, are now staying back in the village and studying at the library and have access to books required for comprehensive preparation.   

 

Those community members who were engaged in labor work and were doing menial jobs for survival are now learning computers at the center.  

 

Manvi Sushil, director Human Resources, said: ‘Avery Dennison’s contributory work in the communities is well rounded and holistic in the area of skilling, women empowerment and sustainability.    

 

‘We at Avery Dennison believe that it is imperative to provide underserved communities with opportunities that will not only enhance their livelihood opportunities but also help them realize their dreams. Through this partnership, we aim to give youth the opportunity to start their journeys of growth and progress, while enhancing employment opportunities and thereby improving their quality of life.’    

 

Avery Dennison partnered with Read India to organize an event commemorating the completion of one year of both centers and formal inauguration on April 27, 2022.   

 

Dr. Geetaa Malhotra, country director, Read India, added: ‘The Read Model is such that opportunities are brought at the doorsteps of the community for learning and choosing their own path for growth. Avery Dennison believes in community development and Read believes in community engagement. This common objective helps to design and execute programs effectively.’