9-yr-old runs free library for slums kids in Bhopal

Nine-year-old Muskaan Ahirwar, a little girl who lives in the Arera Hills slums in Bhopal, is an inspiration to children, and even adults everywhere.

The little girl has come into the limelight recently for a free library she runs for underprivileged children who have an interest in reading and learning.

At a young age, where most children are happy playing in the dirt, Muskaan has dedicated herself to a higher purpose, that of bettering herself and other children for life in the future.

The third-standard student has founded a free library outside her home in Bhopal, and works as a librarian everyday, offering other slum children both books to bury themselves in as well as a place to read in comfort.

A video by Al Jazeera says the girl believes children who want to learn should have a way to do that on their own, without having to rely on school work.

Starting off in January with just 25 books, Muskaan now has a collection of over 700 books, donated by people across India as well as some from as far as the US and Australia.

Muskaan puts down a few mats everyday after school, lays out her books, and sets up shop for an hour, so the neighbourhood children can come together to read.

"We read books and play games with friends and organise competitions," one child says. "The child that reads the most books gets a surprise," he adds excitedly. Muskaan's library has seen a fair bit of attendance she says, with about 25 children coming by everyday. "My neighbourhood needed a library," she says. "The children needed a place to read."

"Since I started this library, children that used to wander around aimlessly have developed an interest in reading and come regularly," Muskaan says happily. "Anyone that has the drive to learn should start their own library and start learning, and study like us and get ahead in life."

The video has garnered close to 3 lakh views, as well as 13,000 likes, and over 5,000 shares on Facebook at the time.