In order to bring life and colour to our city’s corporation schools, an NGO United Way Chennai has brought its 800-odd volunteers together to give them a facelift, so that children can enjoy going to school. The organisation has set an ambitious target to give a makeover to all 281 corporation schools in the city with colourful murals and stories that will motivate the students.
Members of United Way Chennai painting a city school; (Inset) Nethra
Chennai:
“We have so far painted 32 schools with the help of our volunteers. We have had volunteers as young as 12 years old and as old as 60, as there is no age limit. Over every weekend, when the schools are closed, about 30-50 volunteers gather at one of the 280 schools and spend at least 4-6 hours colouring the walls with meaningful tales and murals. Our idea is to add a splash of colour to the schools so that students are inspired,” says Nethra Gupta of United Way Chennai.
The organisation is also promoting the need to have clean surroundings through this project. “The best place to begin education on cleanliness is schools. We are glad to be starting the conversation around it through our project. Through this initiative, we wish to instill a sense of pride among the parents and children who study at these public schools,” asserts Nethra.
The project is also bringing the community together and making them work selflessly, she notes. “The volunteers are giving in their time each weekend without any compensation in return, just so that they can help children enjoy their time at school. Through team work and commitment, we are able to change school atmosphere for thousands of school children,” she adds.
Named Paint-a-thon, the event has United Way Chennai’s volunteers from across the city taking part in beautifying the schools. Through a tie-up with the Greater Chennai Corporation, the NGO is keen to transform the defunct compound walls of corporation schools in the city. The organisation also received support from corporates and colleges.
“We have so far painted 32 schools with the help of our volunteers. We have had volunteers as young as 12 years old and as old as 60, as there is no age limit. Over every weekend, when the schools are closed, about 30-50 volunteers gather at one of the 280 schools and spend at least 4-6 hours colouring the walls with meaningful tales and murals. Our idea is to add a splash of colour to the schools so that students are inspired,” says Nethra Gupta of United Way Chennai.
The organisation is also promoting the need to have clean surroundings through this project. “The best place to begin education on cleanliness is schools. We are glad to be starting the conversation around it through our project. Through this initiative, we wish to instill a sense of pride among the parents and children who study at these public schools,” asserts Nethra.
The project is also bringing the community together and making them work selflessly, she notes. “The volunteers are giving in their time each weekend without any compensation in return, just so that they can help children enjoy their time at school. Through team work and commitment, we are able to change school atmosphere for thousands of school children,” she adds.