Fifteen zilla parishad schools nestled in the tribal belts of Shahapur and Murbad taluks in Maharashtra sport a spanking new look. With brightly painted walls, repaired infrastructure and basic amenities, these schools promise a more welcoming environment for learning.
This transformation is the result of a year-long project by the Rotary Club of Thane North, RID 3142. “At the start of the last Rotary year, we received two CSR grants of ₹52 lakh and ₹44 lakh from a pharmaceutical company, Milan Labs, with a request to focus on literacy. So we decided to channel these funds into tribal schools that were in urgent need of support,” says the club’s IPP Medha Joshi.
Along with her team, she visited several schools across the region, identifying those most in need. The conditions they found were disheartening. “Some schools had broken compound walls, missing doors and windows, damaged floors and electrical fittings, and were overrun by wild shrubs. Snakes and other reptiles often slithered into classrooms,” she recalls.
Over the year, all identified schools were renovated, Clean, functioning toilets and handwash stations were built. New furniture was provided where needed, and old one repaired. Libraries with books donated by members were set up in all the schools.
During the inauguration events, the club provided uniforms, footwear, stationery kits and lunch boxes to students. The schools were also equipped with dustbins and water purifiers. The club installed science laboratories in three higher secondary schools for Classes 11 and 12 students. The Happy School project benefitted 50–60 students in each school.
“These renovations are not just cosmetic. They have rejuvenated the learning environment and made students feel valued. Most of these children are first-generation learners from economically weak tribal families. These schools are their only hope for a better life,” she adds.
Medha was all praise for the teachers who work in these schools. “Each school has around 8–10 teachers, many of whom travel long distances, from Dombivli, Kalyan or Ambernath, to teach in Shahapur or Murbad. Despite frequent delays in salary payment, they remain committed and rarely miss a day.”
The renovated Happy Schools saw good admissions during this academic year. The club, now in its 49th year, has been consistently working on literacy projects for the past 35 years, focussing especially on rural, tribal and special-needs schools. “We provide infrastructure and educational essentials to keep students engaged and help them stay in school. Our CSR partner Milan Labs is just as passionate about education as we are,” she adds.
This year club president Mamta Vanjani is aiming to add more Happy Schools with continued CSR support.
The club had also made a significant impact in water conservation. With a global grant of $77,000, it constructed two check dams and installed a solar-powered pump system in Dunganipada, a village in Jawhar taluk. “We initially planned only the check dams, but our international partner in the US increased their contribution from $62,000 to $77,000; that helped us install the solar panel,” says Medha. The facilities now support irrigation and household water supply for the entire village.
However, the project wasn’t without its hurdles. “Initially, while some villagers welcomed the idea, others feared losing their land. But once the first check dam was completed and they saw the benefits — plenty of water and green fields — the other group came around and even requested a dam for their side too. Today, both check dams are keeping 50 farming families happy,” she adds.