Book Drive: Chirag is organizing a book drive to collect used story books (both Tamizh and English), used math sheets, drawing materials, coloring books, GK books, guides, Materials on spoken English, English grammar books etc. The collected books will be used to set up basic libraries in corporation schools. We believe, that this will go a long way in encouraging children to read books, thereby empowering them with knowledge. This book drive is on till October 15, 2010. For details please send us a mail at reachus@chiragindia.org.
Rebuilding School at Kundrathur: It was the year 2007. Chirag volunteers went to this Corporation High School in Kundrathur to collect Diwali wishes. The school was pathetic. Haggard classrooms badly in need of repair with only torn mats for children to sit and study, no fans and some had asbestos sheets for a roof. The rest rooms were just four four walls with no water facility. The school teachers while thanking Chirag volunteers appealed to us to do the basic necessity for the toilets.
The following year SCOPE entrusted Chirag with the task of identifying a school in need of
financial help. The employees of SCOPE were pooling in a portion of their salary to meet the
need.Our choices narrowed down to two corporation schools -- one in Thiruvanmiyur and the
other in Kundrathur.We took the CEO and a few others from SCOPE to inspect the Kundrathur
Corporation School. One look around the school and the decision was made.
Chirag helped SCOPE to get the permission and sanctions from the local Government - Panchayat,
the District Educational Officer, interacted with the local political leaders to facilitate
the whole process.
School shifted to a rented hall. The old building was demolished, plans drawn up for the new
building on simple, aesthetic lines and construction happened at top speed. In a matter of six months, the new building was reopened. It was a moment of pride for Chirag.
The whole credit goes to SCOPE - but one cannot deny the role played by Chirag in this endeavour.
Now our only wish and hope is that the school be maintained in its present form of cleanliness.
In the footsteps of SCOPE, if other corporates can adopt such schools and rebuild them into model
schools. That would be a dream achieved for CHIRAG.
Tree Planting: Scope International has reaffirmed their commitment to support green intiatives by joining hands with Chirag to plant additional trees at Garden of Peace School in Vellore.
Infrastructure for School: Cognizant Technology Solutions (CTS) have joined with Chirag to support the Cauvery Matriculation School, Thoraipakkam, by funding some of the school infrastructure projects in addition to lending volunteer support for other activities of the school.
Shoe Distribution: In the year 2008,SCOPE decided to procure and distribute footwear to economically backward
children. They requested CHIRAG to execute this whole project on their behalf. CHIRAG
accomplished this as follows ---
1. The wholesale market for footwear at Parrys was studied for competitive prices which
included selecting for quality and bargaining for prices.
2. Quotes for different packages - (shoes, sandals, slippers and socks in different combinations)
was prepared and submitted to SCOPE.
3. SCOPE decided on a package of shoes,sandals, slippers and 2 pairs of socks for Rs. 340.
4. Size charts were distributed to the schools and the footsize measured.
5. Consolidating the number of pairs depending on sizes.
6. Placing the order was the next step.
7. Delivery of the footwear which comes to a whopping number of 7500 within the specified
deadline was ensured.
8. Sorting happened day and night, CHIRAG volunteers pitche in with great enthusiasm - three
pairs of footwear and two pairs of socks was packed for each child into a bag provided by SCOPE
after affixing the label with the child`s details on it.
9. The individual shoe bags were packed into bigger sacks and grouped schoolwise.
10. Schedules were drawn for distribution and the shoes transported to the respective schools
with clockwork precision.
11. Distribution happened on the big day when senior employees of SCOPE were involved.
2500 children were proud owners of three pairs of footwear that day and they felt very important.
At the end of this SCOPE was elated. This emotional experience is possible only through the act of
giving - Giving is recieving happiness. CHIRAG heaved a big sigh of relief at a job well completed -
thanks to SCOPE for giving us this oppurtunity.
Tree planting: Chirag in co-ordination with volunteers of Scope International, Chennai conducted a tree planting activity at the premises of Garden of Peace School, Vellore on Saturday, August 30th, 2008. The team from Scope participated enthusiastically and planted 475 palm and 475 bamboo saplings on the school grounds. The volunteers also interacted with the school children, conducted a drawing competition for the kids and shared their views on the activity with Chirag.
Donation of Gifts by Cognizant CEO: CEO of Cognizant Technology Solutions, Mr. Franco had visited the Cauvery Matriculation School on April 7th, 2008 and donated toys and simple educational aids to the students of the school. Many thanks to Shankar, Archana, Kartheeban and all CTS volunteers who made this happen.
Painting Event: SCOPE office employees gathered on May 24th 2008, in Cauveri Matriculation School to paint the school. When Chirag came with a request to SCOPE to help us paint the school they immediately offered to paint the school. Around 50 - 60 employees came early in the morning with all enthusiasm and started first by scraping the premises. The hands that were used to the computer were involved in scraping with emery papers. After lunch they also started painting the classrooms. They also had two professionals who came along with them, who stayed for the next two days and completed the whole of painting.
Medical Camp: Chirag conducted a medical camp in the month of February 2008 for the children of Cauveri Matriculation School and their parents. Around 200 children, their parents and neighbours of that area participated in the camp. Doctors from various specialties like ENT, Eye, Psychiatry, Dental, general health had volunteered with Chirag and participated in this event. Syndicate bank sponsored Shamiana for this event. Steadman and Chirag sponsored medicines. Colgate sponsored a brush and toothpaste to each child who attended the camp. Chirag sponsored spectacles and dental cleaning for the required children. The children who needed attention regarding heart problems and psychiatric problems were referred to specialists.
We intend to conduct a medical camp once a year. If anybody is interested to sponsor the medical camp for Feb 2009, please send us a mail to reachus@chiragindia.org with subject "Spark of Health".
Teaching at the school: Volunteers of Chirag have taken a strong commitment in volunteering teaching at the school every Thursday mornings. The volunteers plan to teach Math's, Physics, Chemistry, Computer science, Spoken English, Reading, Drawing, and Music etc. Some of the volunteers are also involved in setting up of the library.
"Keep The Spark Alive!"