Cardboard Schoolbag-Cum-Desk For School Children In Rural India – Aarambh

Schools in rural India could be as worse as we can’t even expect, very basic amenities like a writing-table, a chair to sit even a school bag are rarely viewed, which then end up with school children sitting on dusty floors all day. None of us bear the consequences except the children, who get nothing better than a bad posture, poor eyesight, and bad handwriting and god knows about the quality of education.

 

Aarambh, a Mumbai based NGO that works with children recognized the situation and tried their bit to help the new buds which is simply nothing more than an invention driven through determination. The NGO came up with an idea of portable Study table cum School Bag and that too in a most economical and efficient manner. They collected discarded carton from retailers, corporate houses and retail outlets. Making use of a stencil design, the cartons were then folded to form a portable writing desk, which also doubles up as a school bag. They named this wonder as ‘Help Desk’, and were able to achieve their ‘most economical’ target by making it in less than Rs 10 ($20 cents).

aarambh aarambh aarambh aarambh aarambh aarambh 2 aarambh

Here’s how it works-

help desk

The organisation distributed it throughout the schools in most remote places of Maharashtra. And surprisingly, they were able to help out hundreds of kids making them study in a more cheerful, comfortable and effective way.

The organisation believes that the lack of school furniture is just one of the many obstacles which students are facing while trying to seek quality education out of Indian system. Lack of sanitation in schools is also one of the alarming problems which need to be figured out again with best possible solutions.

This is such a great revolution at the grassroot level. What do you guys think about ‘Help Desk’? Let us know in comments below.

74 Comments

  1. sneha shah

    May 24, 2014 at 9:39 pm

    Great Idea! Would love to collaborate and reach school in rural areas near my town. Please let me know if we can proceed. Thanks

  2. RAVINDRA WAGHMARE

    May 26, 2014 at 10:03 am

    Hi, A good innovative initiative.
    Can you pl send me details of ARAMBHA organisation – email / address etc?
    Regards,
    Ravindra

  3. Deepak Rai

    May 29, 2014 at 9:25 pm

    Hi,
    I support a small school in rural area of Nepal. The school has sa many problems, one of them is insufficient study desks. Can you please let me know the methods to make the cardboard box Help Desk so that these kids also share the happiness??
    It would be a great help towards humanitarian mission if you could kindly mentions the methods of making Help Desks.

    Thanking you,
    Deepak Rai
    Supporter
    Gyan Jyoti Primary School

  4. Mahesh Chandaria

    June 4, 2014 at 12:49 am

    I am writing from Nairobi, Kenya. We have a lot of poor schools in rural Kenya where children actually study under tree and have no desks. I was very happy to see the design of this desk and was wondering if I can replicate this in Kenya and have companies carry out CSR activities by donating these desks. Is it possible to have the design and die- cut layout from you? Kind regards, Mahesh Chandaria

  5. naresh battula

    June 8, 2014 at 11:32 am

    Author,it is not only helpful to students but also the symbol of knowledge.And it is nice.i am ready to getting these “help desk” bags to give rural people and iam ready to pay money for sample piece also.

  6. Neelesh Kumar

    June 24, 2014 at 5:07 pm

    Great initiative of its kind. Would be interested in getting the stencil size and nature of cardboard to be used.

  7. Rajkumar Verma

    July 14, 2014 at 3:17 pm

    what an idea sir ji

  8. Nikhil

    August 13, 2014 at 6:59 pm

    First this is an amazing product. Can any one tell me were do it get this amazing cardboard school bad cum desk,as i also working for an NGO ECO Logic Foundation, we can give this bags to the needed children.
    Nikhil

  9. ushma

    August 26, 2014 at 9:36 am

    I teach in a village,and would love to have the desks. Can you also let me know how durable are they? I would also like the villagers to lean to make them.

    • Ambarish Ganesh

      August 26, 2014 at 6:29 pm

      Hello Ushma, we’ve contacted the organisation ‘Aarambh’ regarding this project, and I’m yet to hear back from them.
      Will let you know as soon as something comes up. 🙂
      Happy reading.

      • shobha murthy

        September 17, 2014 at 7:05 pm

        The desks are easy to make. if you can pay for the desk and courier charges we can send you a sample of the bag
        pl contact us
        regards
        shobha murthy
        Trustee-Aarambh

        • Ambarish Ganesh

          September 17, 2014 at 8:02 pm

          Hello Shobha,

          Thank you for your reply. Kindly let us know the price of the desk.
          You may mail the details at {editor AT indiannerve DOT com}, and we’ll get back to you soon.

        • Nikhil

          September 17, 2014 at 8:22 pm

          madam,
          Please send me one sample and i am ready to pay for one and for courier charges please email me your private email ID so that i shall give you my complete address and details of payment will be COD or cash.
          Please advice.
          Thanking You
          Nikhil.

        • Hiten

          October 1, 2015 at 10:21 pm

          please send me your address, account No and the rate per piece.
          I want to sponsor for entire school in a tribal area.

          • Dhiraj

            October 6, 2015 at 5:39 pm

            Hello sir,
            I am interested in buying 100 pics
            I want sample ….let me know the cost i am ready to pay for it.
            Looking forward to hear frm u.
            Thank you.

        • kathayana

          April 17, 2016 at 1:03 pm

          Hi shobha Ji,
          please let us know what’s the price and other required details for this product. It will be great help for my friend’s school in Hyd. Please share yr contact details so that we can contact you.

        • Tanmay

          December 5, 2016 at 2:22 pm

          mam what are the charges? we are Safe Bengaluru an NPO trying to implement this in rural areas of karnataka. please send the details in http://www.safebengaluru@gmail.com.

        • surbhi

          December 6, 2016 at 6:21 pm

          Please provide the contact details of the NGO for procurement of cardboard desks cum school kit for distribution.

        • Anugrah rishi

          May 3, 2017 at 10:35 pm

          Dear Shobha Ma’am,

          Greetings.

          Please try to tell me the charges for the help desk and the Courier charges so that i can book the order for more after placing a sample.

          Thanks & regards,

          Anugrah Rishi

        • rAVI

          January 9, 2018 at 12:34 am

          HI . My Self Ravi charan ..is planning to donate atleast 50 bags to school kids in my village -Can you please send me the sample to
          T.Seshagiri Rao
          HNO 26-2-39
          Opp Nandan sai apartment ,Nellore 524004
          Andhrapradesh
          919248000299

        • pabiben

          November 13, 2018 at 4:34 pm

          hello, We need to distribute bags in Kutch, Gujarat. kindly let me know your email or mobile number to contact you.
          You may reach me on 9879675583

  10. Sandeep Shankarrao Patil

    September 18, 2014 at 1:33 pm

    I am received your sample, please send me the details of your account to send money o I will send money by money order. Our company doing lots of Social works for poor childs.

  11. Alias Lani

    November 4, 2014 at 2:27 pm

    Hi Shobha,

    Please could you provide me with your account no so that I can deposit some money including postage of the Help Desk back to my home address in Malaysia.

  12. shobha dsouza

    November 9, 2014 at 9:40 pm

    mam please can i have one bag? just want to see it. its really wonderful. i want to buy them more. please send me your email Id i will send my postal address. and i will pay for the bag as well as for the post. its really really beautiful and great !!!!!

  13. PradeepVarshney

    November 15, 2014 at 12:26 pm

    Please give me your bank A/c details to send you money for two sample desk cum school bag for us to see .Can we later order quantities for distribution in rural north India.Thanks

  14. sushama parchure

    December 10, 2014 at 9:33 pm

    I am interested in buying helpdesk for 100 children . Guide me

  15. Uday Pandurang Vaze

    July 16, 2015 at 6:59 pm

    I work in rural schools…and wish to donate 200 desks and I am ready to pay Rs. 10 each + transportation.

    Will you please confirm. I can deposit money in a bank.

    Uday Pandurang Vaze
    Birla Road, Ramdas Peth, Akola 444001
    Maharashtra

    9823182466 nfudayv@gmail.com

  16. ch anand

    July 24, 2015 at 11:54 pm

    Hi it is good idea I have to participate with this program so to get these desks to our government schools in Telangana state. I am ready to bare what amount is required. Give mail I’d or contact numbers to order the desks.

  17. jayashri

    July 29, 2015 at 11:39 am

    Hi mam,
    Please send me one sample bag and i am ready to pay for one and also courier charges.
    Please advice.

    • Anil kumar

      May 7, 2016 at 11:04 pm

      Sir,
      Please send me one sample and i am ready to pay for one and for courier charges please email me your private email ID so that i shall give you my complete address and details of payment will be COD or cash.
      Please advice.
      Thanking You
      ANKL KUMAR
      B-5,RAMMOHAN NAGAR,
      SIKANDRA,AGRA-282007

  18. Uma Shivaraman

    July 30, 2015 at 9:48 pm

    Hi we are group of ladies who teach under previledged children Pl send me one sample and I will pay for 1 desk and the courier charges for the above.

  19. Mukhtar Husain

    August 12, 2015 at 3:52 pm

    we require 300 pieces of cardboard school bags cum desk for our school in rural area of Uttar Pradesh. Can you please help us to get the same,we shall pay the cost of the supply. Regards

  20. Jeyavel

    August 18, 2015 at 8:57 am

    Dear mam,
    We looking forward to contact you for our school in rural area of Tamilnadu, we have around 1000 poor children in our school

  21. Vrushab shah

    August 22, 2015 at 11:47 pm

    Hello sir,
    I am interested in buying 100 pics
    I want sample ….let me know the cost i am ready to pay for it.
    Looking forward to hear frm u.
    Thank you.

  22. Jogonder Singh Sond

    August 24, 2015 at 4:30 pm

    I worked for slum childern upgrading education standard
    Found no proper place yo study
    No educatoon support.
    We few group of people and young students are giving time to educate slum childern.
    Arambh had done good work

  23. Dhiraj ghadge

    September 10, 2015 at 1:47 pm

    Sir pl provide contact number immediately

  24. dhiraj ghadge

    September 10, 2015 at 2:13 pm

    sir require stencil measurements of the school desk

  25. yashwanth patwardhan

    September 27, 2015 at 8:34 pm

    Please provide me details of the mail ID.
    I want distribute to the village students.
    Whom should I contact. Let me know.

    Thanks
    Regards

  26. Koduri chandana

    October 12, 2015 at 7:41 pm

    That’s really a great idea.
    Iam from an NGO and we want to distribute in government school.
    So, I need details : how can I get them.
    Let me know
    Thabkyou

  27. lokesh goyal

    October 21, 2015 at 9:16 am

    Its a good initiative….I work for a PSU, which does a lot of activities under CSR. I would like to include this one also. Kindly provide me your contact details, price per piece, courier facility etc as soon as possible. We do most of our activities on 14th November every year.

    Regards

  28. vijay upadhye

    October 23, 2015 at 3:10 pm

    the school bag cum desk is helpful for all children who are sitting on floor for study.
    Please contact me. i need 200 bags urgently.

  29. Shantikumar Merchant

    November 1, 2015 at 11:38 am

    I need these bags for donetion to school im ruler area

    pls let me know the price and minimum order I can place?

  30. Madhav Tadimeti

    November 1, 2015 at 12:50 pm

    Dear Sir / Madam,

    Namaskaar !

    The Idea / Innovation is ” Revolutionary ” which can be a Game Changer in getting India’s Literacy Rate hiked exponentially if implemented across India.

    In Fact, it can be launched Globally especially in Developing Countries in Africa & South America where the Issues / Problems related to School Education are almost Same.

    I am an Engineering Consultant & Investment Banker based in UAE. I am Associated with 2 NGOs based in Andhra Pradesh & 1 NGO based in Tamil Nadu & therefore would like to get the Innovative Design of the School Kit launched in the Schools where the mentioned NGOs are actively operational in the 2 States of India.

    Pls provide me needed Details asap.

    Regards & Best Wishes,
    Madhav Tadimeti

    Mob : 00971558964248

  31. yes. its very economically and helpful to the pupils. It is good destination. I hope the same should be implemented in my district pupils. please send me the manufacturer details to my email i.d. its spreads all around the nation. expecting your early reply. thanking you sir.

  32. PROF DINESH DESAI

    November 16, 2015 at 7:17 pm

    pl send me the details. we have collected a good amount and wish to have the school bags. pl let me know the details.
    Pro dinesh desai
    m -9426361121

  33. Ch.sandeep kumar

    November 21, 2015 at 6:45 pm

    Hi sir, I want to buy 500 bags. Please send contact details. We are also maintaining a rise for human society organisation in our area which is purely backward area.

  34. Nandakumar

    December 14, 2015 at 10:47 am

    Pranams will be the appropriate comment for this great work. Pls give me your details we will colaborate in social innovative similar service.

  35. Koduri chandana

    December 17, 2015 at 4:12 pm

    Hi
    I want to know the details as we a NGO want to distribute these bags cum desks in govt schools near by Hyderabad.
    I request the details.
    Thankyou

  36. meenal

    December 21, 2015 at 3:25 pm

    Hi,
    I am working for the 2015 Chennai/Cuddalore flood relief, helping schools especially. Your cardboard schoolbag/desk is very impressive and we would like to buy and offer it to schools in Cuddalore. Could you please let me know the cost of it. I would also like to try a sample.

    Thank you

  37. Nitin Tuli

    February 6, 2016 at 2:59 pm

    I am part of Round Table India based in Goa.The organisation with the objective of “Freedom through education” for the underprivileged children has built class rooms and have done other meaningful projects.I will request you for a sample Help Desk by courier.I will make the payment by cheque/cash .Please share the bank details.
    My address :
    Nitin Tuli
    F 301,Socorro Garden,
    Porvorim,Goa 403521

  38. Jo

    February 11, 2016 at 2:20 am

    I have pelvic problems and hate sitting on a chair. I always work on a flat surface (floor or bed / large couch) and would love to have a desk like that myself. Couldn’t they be put on the market in Europe / US for a price that makes it able to donate a set of desks for school children for every desk bought in Eur/US ??

    Rgrds,
    Jo

  39. Apurva Sanghvi

    April 6, 2016 at 10:04 pm

    Would like to buy 100 PCs. How can I do that

  40. Quinto

    April 7, 2016 at 3:12 am

    Hello,
    Would like to order some for rural Africa school. Send me contacts and costs.
    kingstone.exteriors-at-gmail dot com

  41. Mr.Mohit Mohan Das,Project Director,Services Centre for the Disabled

    April 18, 2016 at 3:44 pm

    Hello.
    I would like to buy the helpdesk for free distribution in Govt. schools of Titilagarh, Odisha

    I request the details.

    Thankyou

    • Kalyn

      April 29, 2016 at 7:06 am

      Right ont-his helped me sort things right out.

  42. Dhaval Doshi

    April 22, 2016 at 9:52 pm

    I would like to buy the helpdesk for free distribution

  43. b n sirish

    April 25, 2016 at 6:01 pm

    I would like to buy the helpdesk for free distribution in hyderabad

  44. Lore

    April 29, 2016 at 7:13 am

    That’s really thinking at an imesrspive level

  45. Ismail Shani

    May 14, 2016 at 8:13 pm

    We shud also try thermocol/foam, It may come cheaper, abd it will be more lighter and if made thicker, it will be stong.

  46. Reena bharathi

    May 26, 2016 at 9:59 pm

    Very innovative idea. I want to buy 100 help desks for a govt school in rural area in Tamil nadu.
    Please do let me know, how to go about the procedure for buying it.

  47. PARAMANANDA DAIMARY

    May 27, 2016 at 3:59 pm

    how can we get this oppurtunity

  48. Ravindra

    May 29, 2016 at 8:58 am

    Sir, I want @ 250 Help Desk for a School in Rural area. How to buy from NGO. Please let me know

  49. Ravindra

    May 29, 2016 at 9:00 am

    Sir, please send details how to get Help Desk.

  50. Sam Balraj C

    May 30, 2016 at 4:10 pm

    Hi
    I am Sam from Tamil Nadu , i wud like to know how it can be purchased and where it can be purchased. In Tamil Nadu many of the schools running in very rural areas doesn’t have anything to educate the childrens. i M so concerned about that and i wud like to help them too.pls share the contact details for buying this HelpDesk.

  51. sandeep

    June 17, 2016 at 9:14 pm

    I would like to purchase for a rural school . Please send details on sandeep_ar@rediffmail.com

  52. Rupa Shah

    August 25, 2016 at 5:47 pm

    Hi I teach in Montessori school, need one sample design, I am ready to pay the cost or if you have dimensions in digital file that would work too. Please guide me through.
    Thanks,
    Rupa.

  53. Gouri-080-25588870

    November 21, 2016 at 11:31 am

    Sir,
    Could you please tell us how to procure them for distribution in rural schools?
    Regards

  54. Shrividhya

    May 31, 2017 at 2:06 pm

    Hi would require 1 pc as sample. Want to distribute in rural schools in Jharkhand. I stay in JAMSHEDPUR. Plz. Let me its price overall. Thanking you ,
    Regards,

    8987578700
    Shrividhya s

  55. Lili usuga

    July 21, 2017 at 2:32 am

    Sir, please send details how to get Help Desk.

  56. UDAY KUMAR

    August 26, 2017 at 11:53 am

    We request your Phone number for contact
    I need 100 boxes. Send me your address

  57. Neeta

    September 9, 2017 at 3:31 pm

    Hi! Can you send me a contact number where I can reach you. Have a contribution to be.

    Thank you
    Neeta

  58. Sajitha S

    June 8, 2019 at 4:50 pm

    Saw this article and felt that it could be of great use to us. Would like a sample.
    This is Sajitha from SAJAG, Kalyan. We work in the education sector with marginalised population. We have a learning centre where students come and we provide an intervention of 1 to 1.30 hours. We gather at common place of community which has no benches.

    A very eco friendly and economic product.
    Thanks

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