During Covid 19 pandemic lockdown, "WoW - Wheels of Wisdom" launched to help underprivileged students lacking access to books and the internet. With physical libraries, an e-library, online live class and a YouTube channel, WoW overcomes barriers by bringing books and internet directly to children's doorsteps, especially crucial during the shift to online learning.
Wheels of Wisdom" began its journey on October 7, 2020, breaking the digital divide for underprivileged students in Bangladesh. Operating as a mobile library, it brings books and internet access directly to communities where roads are narrow and often flooded, rendering fixed libraries impractical. With dedicated librarians managing hotspots and monitoring usage, children can access online classes or educational content, limited to one hour per day per child. Despite challenges, 16,000 children across 12 communities in three regions have benefited, accessing 12,000 books and 48,000 hours of internet time. By providing simple, accessible tools, our aim is to safeguard the learning rights of these children, ensuring they are not left behind.
Our mobile library, "Wheels of Wisdom," has served 16,000 children with 12,000 books and 48,000 hours of internet access across challenging terrains in Bangladesh. Recognized for our impact, we've won the EIFL Public Library Innovation Award 2022 supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Global Libraries Program, for public libraries contributing to education recovery during Covid 19 pandemic, and represented Bangladesh at the WSIS Forum 2022. Selected for the Global Youth Mobilization 2022 Accelerator Programme, supported by Big 6 organizations, WHO and the United Nations Foundation. Moreover, we've been honored with The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust Asia Pacific Youth Venture grant for 2023, ensuring our mission to reduce the learning gap remains unstoppable.
"WoW" innovatively uses three-wheeled vans to provide free book and internet access, reaching marginalized students where traditional library buses can't go. This model ensures rapid connectivity and accessibility, offering a tangible solution to bridge the digital divide. Replicating the project only requires a 3-wheeler van, device for librarians, and online safety & safeguarding training.
