Till recently, the compound wall of this school was an eye-sore with posters of films and political parties lining it along with graffiti. Two-wheelers and cars parked haphazardly often posed as a hurdle for students making their way to their school gate.
But now, the students of Anjugam Primary School, a Government-aided school, are a much happier lot. Things have changed for the better. Thanks to Volunteers of The Candles, a non governmental organisation (NGO) that took charge and transformed the wall. “The Headmistress of the school called our mentor Priya George and spoke about the issue. Ms. Priya approached us with the problem,” says Angelin Prince, director of The Candles that was founded in August 2014. Ms. Angelin and her team were only happy to help.
The wall had been ignored for several years. The team planned on giving it a complete makeover and use it instead to spread awareness on education and environment. “Around 20 volunteers began work at 9 a.m. on a Monday morning. The school had already whitewashed the wall. We made it our canvas to display Warli and Gond tribal paintings. We included messages on children’s education and global warming to go along with the images, and added Bharathiyar’s poetry. The wall was complete by 6.30 p.m., the same day,” says Tamilarasi, deputy director of the NGO, adding, students of the 1991-94 batch of Home Science Department of Women’s Christian College helped them buy the paints.
The school students too helped in the transformation.
“Students, who have pitched in with the art work were given their due credits with their names written next to the painting they helped complete. This will give them a sense of accomplishment and as it is theirs, they will ensure that the wall is maintained.” The NGO also handed over saplings to be planted outside the campus to prevent illegal parking near the school gate. They plan to transform more such neglected walls. They can be contacted at 99401 61296.
