Shozhinganallur, Chennai students benefit from engagement by BD and IDC associates

The health and well-being of a society are often reflected in its schools and students. When places of learning thrive, so can the members of that community.

Associates from BD and the India Development Centre (IDC) put this correlation to the test with the IDC Annual Community Service Activity. This year, BD joined with the HCL Foundation in helping to make the Government School in Shozhinganallur, Chennai a better place to learn. Most of the students of this school come from an underprivileged background and may not enjoy the privileges of a clean and healthy environment. More than 300 BD and IDC associates gathered at the school and engaged in a variety of activities.

The projects undertaken to improve the physical school included blackboard resurfacing, exterior painting, grounds cleaning and gardening. Work on the grounds resulted in the creation of three nursery gardens honoring the late Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India and the man who inspired his citizens to plant trees in their backyards. The gardens received 50 saplings each.

A medical camp was also organized to offer health and dental checkups to the students. HCL Foundation engaged with Vels University and Sri Venketeswara Medical Group to organize and provide 25 doctors as well as 40 volunteers for the checkups. Initial student hesitation was soon overcome, and more than 400 participated in dental exams and 216 underwent the health checkup. The activity was considered a huge success.

Thirty BD associates were given an opportunity to work directly with the children as mentors. The team was set up to mentor 6 sections of students for the day with activities like role playing, crafts and skits. The mentors also shared various tips on how academic effort can help students achieve their dreams.

As a result of the Community Service Activity, students, their school and the volunteers benefitted from an experience to remember and cherish.