Providing access to affordable and quality educational resources, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) India Foundation has started a community library and resource centre in Gurgaon.

The initiative is called 'Saksharta se Safalta’ and is in partnership with NGO Rural Education and Development (READ) India. It aims at improving economic development opportunities for those who have limited access to the knowledge, resources and opportunities necessary to build prosperous futures.

Over the next three years, the community library and resource centre Gurgaon will provide services to improve the beneficiaries reading and writing skills, conduct health workshops, offer life skill programmes, deliver computer education at basic and advance levels, as well as provide livelihood training around jobs like stitching and sewing.

Over 400 families will be sensitised around the importance of education and be empowered to read and write through workshops and focussed group discussions. Nearly 300 students will get online and offline coaching for competitive examinations and training around life skills, respectively.

Geeta Malhotra, country director, Read India said, "READ India is committed to bring education and development at the doorstep of communities to facilitate the access to books, internet, and develop the habit of reading and writing among small children. Till date we have touched the lives of almost 3,80,000 rural/semi-urban people through our services and programmes through 28 centres and 12 satellites to reach out to maximum communities."

Besides, a mobilisation drive will be launched in the first six months to mobilise communities to visit the centre and spread awareness.

Jaivir Singh, vice chairman, PwC India Foundation said, "This is a stepping stone towards providing accessible, affordable and quality resources towards education and skill development in this part of old Gurgaon. Education is one of the Foundation's core focus areas. We believe that along with traditional schooling, a child must have opportunities to improve language, reading comprehension and computer skills which are an integral part of a wholesome education."