International
Projects: 03-06
Schools into
Smiles, INDIA, a Matching Grant Success Story
It all began in 2003 with the visit of then President
RAO of RC Madras Pallava to his friend, our Rotarian, Babu Kanagasabai.
We were told of a Centennary project
under then DG Benjamin Chevian, D3230; the Schools into Smiles
project, the aim of which was to make 100 schools a good place for students
to learn. Our club decided to help them. The Rotary Club of Campbelltown D9520,
successfully achieved two matching grants with Rotary Club of Madras Pallava.
Matching grant No 51620 enabled a poor school in Chennai to be equipped with
toilets, water, kitchen, tables and playing equipment. In November 2004 our
club held a fundraising Indian Night, at which Indians of our community attended
and gave generously. The money raised this time went into Matching Grant No
56515, which enabled the similar equiping of FIVE more schools. Our club is
the only Rotary club outside of D3230 to help with this project.
How
the Matching grants worked:
No 51620: In 2003 we raised $AU2,800, which when matched by RC Madras Pallave
grew to $AU 8,400. enough to equip ONE school in Chennai.
No 56515: The Indian dinner raised $AU10,000, which when nmatched by RC Madras
became $AU 35,000, enough to refurbish FIVE more disadvantaged schools.
RI encourages clubs to visit their
overseas projects as part of the accountability of the Matching Grant
scheme. Accordingly there have been two visits to Chennai by members of the
RC Campbelltown. In February 2006 President Margaret Northcote and DGE Bob visited
the district, and opened the matching grant No 51620 school. In March 2006 a
the second team opened schools of matching grant No 56515. Team members were
Jim Silvestri (Director International 03-05), PP Tony Lagozzino, Rtns John Bennett,
Kevin Parkin, Mary Vincent, Fred Cetta and partner Rita Cetta.The photos below
were taken during the first visit.
| Matching
Grant: Schools into Smiles Project: India 2006 |
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| The
school BEFORE |
The
classroom, before renovation |
The
renovated school |
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Opening
day: "RC Compbell Town Australia" |
Pres.
Margaret cuts the ribbon to a new classroom |
Rotary
Foundation Matching Grant 51620 |
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Madras
Rotarians outside new classroom |
The
new toilets for boys |
A
grateful grandmother |
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| The
Concert |
The
girls sing & dance |
The
boys sing & dance |
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| Happy
school children |
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Refurbished
classroom |
One
of many SMILEs |
Prof
Bob gets into the mathematics |
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The
Northcotes are taken to a country school managed by RC Mamandur |
Margaret
meets the teachers and trainee teachers |
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The
concert of celebration, all pupils take part |
Girls perform traditional dances |
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RC
Madras holds a 'wedding' celebrating the commitment of a rotarian and
his family to a school. |
Pres.
Margaret brings greetings from RC Campbelltown. |
Presidents
Janakan & Margaret exchange banners |
