Texas Gaushala Vedic Library

Calming Cows Through Literacy

By: Naimisha Yerram

My troop leader was putting up the Texas Gaushala Vedic Library sign while my mind went blank with pride and excitement that the little library was finally complete and filled with books. It took months of hard work, but we did it! Interestingly, the library wasn't my initial idea. I am Naimisha Yerram, a 9th grader at Bridgeland High School, and I just completed my Girl Scout Cadette Silver Award project.

In the beginning, my ideas kept changing one by one, and I felt like I was back to square one every time. But eventually, I found an organization that was willing to support my idea. Initially, I had thought of fixing a butterfly garden that was in poor condition. However, I realized that there wasn't much sustainability in that project. Later, my partner and I decided to create a mural on LGBTQ+ issues, but we were unable to put in the required effort and eventually abandoned the idea.

After several months without any new ideas, I decided to take up the project without my partner. My dad and I visited several organizations, including pet shelters, YMCAs, and the Bridgeland Welcome Center, hoping to find a positive impact on their organization. Unfortunately, none of them thought my projects would have any positive impact.

At first, I was considering giving up on my ideas, but then I decided to visit a familiar cow shed, where I discussed my ideas with the lead volunteer and her husband. Eventually, they agreed to my idea to create a  free little library after I noticed that children were on their phones while their parents were engaged in spiritual discussions. The volunteer and her husband approved the idea, and I submitted my project proposal to the council for approval. Once I received the council's approval, I started working on the interior and exterior design of the little library, and we bought all the necessary materials. As we did not have woodworking tools, we were fortunate enough to be able to use my troop leader's workshop to construct the little library. We began building the base frame and the main structure for the library box, adding the side walls and shelves. I learned basic carpentry skills, like cutting, nailing, painting, and putting screws.    

We had to make several trips, each lasting an hour and a half, to build a little library at my troop leader's house, as I lived far away. We faced some difficulties while bringing the library box home, but we managed to transport it successfully. Following that, we started painting the library. I took charge of painting the shelves and sides of the library with great care and attention to detail. I chose the colors Paradise of Greenery (green), Soft Boiled (yellow), and Hot Gossip (pink) as they complemented each other well. After this, we constructed the doors and painted them. Before making the roof, I created a wooden sign. I bought stencils and meticulously painted the letters "Texas Gaushala Vedic Library."

The Girls Scouts Silver Award aims to develop leadership skills in girls, allowing them to demonstrate their organizational abilities, determination, and dedication to community improvement. The project undertaken should be sustainable, meaning that it should continue without the girl's direct involvement. To ensure sustainability, I partnered with an organization called "Little Free Library," whose mission is to promote reading, expand book access, and build community. As a part of my project, I purchased a sign that reads, "Take a book, share a book." This means that every time a book is borrowed, it must be replaced with another book, thus promoting a continuous cycle of book sharing.

With the assistance of my troop leader, we were able to transport the library to the site and assemble it. As we had built the library box and base separately, it was exciting to finally open the "Texas Gaushala Vedic Library" that I had been working on for months. My friends and family generously donated boxes of books, which I meticulously arranged inside the little library.

We invited all my friends and family for the library's opening day. Everyone arrived, and my parents even provided fruit, chips, and juice for everyone to enjoy. It was exciting to see the little library become a new addition to the Texas Gaushala. I can't wait to see how the children will enjoy it!

Although the little library is now finished and installed, I plan to visit it often.