"It helps them escape their loneliness.”
Nine-year-old Anaik Sachdev, a Sikh boy from Phoenix, Arizona, recently made an appearance on the popular American talk show The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
During his chat with host Ellen DeGeneres, Anaik Sachdev explained how he came up with the idea of The Loving Library – a free library he created for people in need.
He told Ellen that he spent months in isolation when his mother and then his grandmother caught Covid-19 in March 2020.
Anaik revealed that his grandmother was later hospitalised as her condition worsened.
He went on to explain that he was not able to visit his grandmother or play with any of his friends and cousins as a result of self-isolating.
He told Ellen that he spent his days reading the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series with his 7-year-old brother Jovin.
After he witnessed the loneliness his grandmother went through during her time in hospital, Anaik created a mini library for Covid-19 patients to restore hope and provide them with an activity.
During his chat with Ellen, Anaik Sachdev said:
“My mom got Covid and we were isolated for about three weeks then my grandmother got Covid and she was in the hospital.
“She was very lonely, I could see that she could not interact with any other person.
“So then, my family read books to pass time, so I thought she could read to pass time too. And she did.”
The 9-year-old added:
“The Loving Library is a mini library, where hospitalised Covid-19 patients read the books and it helps them escape their loneliness.”
Anaik went on to explain the benefits of reading including how it can help you to adopt a positive attitude.
Throughout 2020, Anaik collected and donated over 100 books for hospitalised Covid-19 patients.
Anaik Sachdev also regularly shares videos on Instagram to encourage people to donate to his library.
Displaying his love of rap music, Anaik posts short videos in which he requests donations for books to add to his library.
Due to his efforts during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Anaik won the Phoenix Business Journal’s 2021 Philanthropic Hero Award.
In 2021, Anaik has collected over 200 books for the homeless and is currently working with the nonprofit organisation Circle the City.
Circle the City is a medical clinic for homeless people who help to distribute books to those on the street.
To support Anaik Sachdev with his library, Ellen surprised the 9-year-old with $15,000 and some books to help build his collection.
Watch Anaik Sachdev on The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Loading ...