Schools upgraded with CSR funds
Rotary Eclub Magnum, D 3012, has upgraded facilities at the Government girls schools in and around Gurgaon district, in Haryana. “Originally the plan was to do so through a global grant, but when we found that Rotary International is now allowing CSR funds from corporates to be used for welfare projects, we embraced the idea,” says past president of the club Sunil Prakash, who is the project coordinator.
So, the corporate Zeco Aircon was roped in to contribute $32,000 for the first CSR-Global Grant to upgrade six schools in and around Sohna town in Gurgaon district. The project report was made and with the persistent efforts of RISAO (Rotary International South Asia Office) in New Delhi, the first such application for the grant was moved and was also approved in record time. “This gave us the confidence that yes we can go ahead in improving the lives of girls in these schools by giving them better water, health, sanitation facilities and basic education,” he adds.
Once the grant was released, the project was put on fast track to prove that the club meant business. Work started in full swing in the schools, with great support from the school authorities, the district education officers and specifically the school management committee (SMC) and village authorities. This resulted in much faster work.
“When the teachers and the students came to know of our project, they were very excited and enthusiastic. They cooperated with us and assured us they will turn their schools into Happy Schools and also improve their attendance, which has already happened,” added Prakash.
The first renovated school was inaugurated by TRF Trustee Sushil Gupta in the presence of DG Sattish Singhal, PDG Ramesh Aggarwal and DG Nominee Deepak Gupta, Jayashree Jayaraman, Manager – CSR and WinS, TRF, the village pradhans, SMC members, officers from the education department and parents. The meet concluded with planting of trees. Under this project, the following facilities have been given.
- Clean toilets for girls
- Sanitary napkin vending and disposal machines
- Running water in toilets
- Handwash stations to develop the habit of hand washing with soap before and after meals and after using toilets
- Safe and filtered drinking water
- Tables and benches for classrooms
- Fans, dustbins, and a clean environment in and around the school premises
- Parks to play and exercise and
- A computer centre.
“We have another such CSR- Global Grant for next seven schools in Bahadurgarh district. Work has started and will take time to complete,” said Prakash.
Trustee Gupta appealed to the village pradhans, SMC members and the parents to take responsibility for the sustainability of the project and maintain the facilities as they do for their own homes. Only then can their children reap the benefit of the work done in the schools.
Ravi Singhal, Chairman of Zeco Aircon and current president of RC Eclub Magnum, appealed to corporates to come forward and contribute to such projects. When the youth of the country is empowered with basic education, health and hygiene, they will act as ambassadors for the next generation to change and live life comfortably, he said.
