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(We are pleased to publish profile of Mr. Mahendra Kumar, our Delaware, USA based alumnus, who is involved in spreading free library facilities to the different parts of world. He is co-founder and president of non-profit organization Be Educated; http://www.beeducated.org.

Mr. Mahendra Kumar can be contacted at Phone # 302-883-1456; Email:      mkvinita@yahoo.com)

 

(Mahendra Kumar)

 

About Mahendra Kumar

Personal:

* Born at Azamgarh (UP) and brought up in Varanasi (UP)

* Living in USA since 1999

* Family: Wife (Vinita) and 2 kids (Sherry & Shaurya)

Education and Professional:

* B. Tech. Computer Science & Engineering from IT-BHU (Varanasi) – 1984-1988

* MBA – From Wilmington University (USA) - 2006

*Worked for SAIL (India) – 11 years

*Working as Senior Consultant for DuPont and Delaware Dept. of Transportation – 10 years

Public Service:

* Founding Member and Board of Be Educated Movement Inc., USA

* Providing the tools of education to needy through Be Educated Library Program.

* Worked as member of Indian US Society of Delaware

Brief Biography:

I am from Varanasi and finished my schooling from St. Mary’s Convent and Queens College, and B. Tech in Computer Science and Engineering from ITBHU in 1988. In my final year in college, I developed the interest for career in Civil Service as I thought that was the best way to serve the nation and society. I joined SAIL and unsuccessfully tried CS Exams. Eventually, I moved to US in year 1999 and currently residing at Camden, Delaware. I am employed by Diamond Technologies and work as Senior Consultant/DBA for Department of Transportation.

My father was in Postal Service and he was always ready to help under privileged and needy people and he did helped lot of people. He also tried to do several works in his village in Azamgarh including starting a library which ran only for few years. This might have been motivation for me to give something back to the society.

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http://www.beeducated.org

Inception of Be Educated Movement:

It was always in mind to do some work for Indian society, but could not start any plan constructively. I served in IUSD (India US Society of Delaware) for few years. Fortunately, I found a worthy partner, Sanjay Kumar, who is an Engineering Graduate from Gorakhpur and work with me at the same client. Sanjay and I used to brain storm on several ideas we have to help the real needy people in India. We came to conclusion that illiteracy is a social problem and cause of various problems in this world including terrorism, injustice etc.

Nothing materialized until our trip to India in 2004. During this trip to India we investigated and came to know the true state of primary and high school education in Indian Villages. We came to know that most of the teachers are not sincere at all and education in rural India is mere formality and paperwork, which is good for showing statistics of literacy. Eventually, it comes to the students and their families to study and perform. Unfortunately, most of the poor parents are illiterate themselves and lack the tradition of education in the family, hence they are not motivated to invest in child’s education and motivate the students. This situation results in high drop-out rates in grade 7/8 and afterwards. We also came to know that because of insincerity of teachers, most of the students depend on course related guide books to pass the board examinations. Poor students lack access to these books because of lack of family support. We decided that we should try to do something which can help these students and reduce the drop-out rates. Education is the tool which can make a difference, and there should be a movement to make people educated.

Being in US, our resources are very limited and implementing our plans in remote India is an uphill challenging task.  There are, however several organizations already working very hard in this field and engaged in opening schools and libraries in rural India. We studied several organizations. They are doing great jobs but in spite of lot of investment they are doing, they are making little impact (for the investment). We decided we need to do something different and reach to more students and benefit them with small investment. After several brain storming sessions, we conceived the idea of $800 library, and we will find sponsor for these libraries. From the experience of my father, I know an individual cannot carry the concept forever, so we need an organization which does not depend on few individuals. This is how this organization was founded by Sanjay and me. We registered the organization as “Be Educated Movement” in Delaware in Feb, 2005 and prepared the by-laws.

We started our pilot library in Rai Bareilly in Apr, 2005 to test our idea, which turned out to be successful. We never hired any professional for any service. All the works, including website, legal and IRS filing are being done by volunteers to save the money.  In Dec 2005, we became tax exempt nonprofit organization under the provision of Sec 501 (c) (3) of internal Revenue Code. In 2005, we raised less than $10,000 which increased to $30,000 in 2008. Now our annual budget is about $30,000, source being the sponsors, support and board members, fund raising events. We believe in total transparency, all information including financial detail is available on the website. As of now we have more than 70 libraries in different parts of India and helping approximately 7000 students. We have country office in Lucknow and employed 3 volunteers to carry out most of the works.

 

 (Library opened by Be Educated Movement at village Garbari, Dharmakhanpara, Jharkhand, India)

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(Library opened by Be Educated Movement at Bright Future Public School, Nabisar, Umarkot, Sindh, Pakistan)

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Mission statement of “Be Educated Movement”:

The mission of the Movement is to build a well-educated society, through promoting education, literacy, awareness of science and health around the world and to provide equal opportunity to under-privileged children.

Be Educated Library:

What it is?

 

* We encourage children to read

* We help creating awareness for Education

* Like a guardian – We provide guidance, quality study materials to improve the personality

* Our expensive and exclusive books help students score better and compete with others

* Designed to help 100 students from grade 8th-12th

* $800 to open and $150 annually to operate.

* Be Educated Library is a free facility

 

Location and Librarian:

* Location must be in a village or Slum area

* Location is determined through our Survey process

* Under-privileged children can access the facility without hesitation or fear

* Library has issuing facility only

* Library opens three days a week, total 7 hrs

* Our librarian is a Social worker, Guide and Motivator

* Librarian volunteers services and provide 6’x6’ space

* We reward the Librarian up to $120 annually

What we do?

Before Library is setup

* Location Survey by our trained volunteer

* About 300 Books

* A Book rack, one table & chairs

* One sign Board, Office supplies

* Training to the Librarian

After Library is operational

* Keep a close watch – feedback system

* Annual Inspection for the quality control

Book Standards:

* All books must be approved by Book Recommendation Committee

* We don’t accept book donations – to maintain our standards

* No book promoting any Religion, Sectarian or Political ideology

* Book categories we provide:  Literature, Story, Biography, Entertainment, Health, Personality Development, Competition and course related guide books

Cost Analysis:

Total Cost for one Library: $800

* $515 (64%): Books & Bindings (about 300 books)

* $150 (19%): Accessories (Book-Racks, Signboard,   supplies etc)

* $60 (8%):  Advertisement and Opening

* $75 (9%): Transportation/Location Survey

Achievements:

* Over 70 Libraries in three countries

* Libraries are in > 10 languages area

* Very positive response from locals

* Over 100 libraries in next two years

Future Plans:

* We are doing national level Talent Search competition among library members to promote education. We will grant 26 prizes spending $1000 towards cash, medals and certificates.

* Open the libraries in African countries.

* To launch Health Education Awareness programs in our libraries.

* Start adult education and health camp and education on AIDS during inspection.

How can you support:

* Sponsor a Library - $800 and dedicate the library to your beloved ones

* Adopt a library ($150) – Maintenance of existing library

* Become Support Member – Pledge regular monthly contribution, get elected to Board

* Become volunteer– Help us with fund raising and organizational works

*All US donations are tax-exempted; you can donate online as well

For more information, please visit the links below:

http://www.BeEducated.org

http://www.beeducated.org/html/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=59&Itemid=42

Picture and Documentary: Please visit “Photo Gallery” and “Documentary/Video” sections on website.

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