Transform Lives: Two government schools in Faridabad get facelift, better infra

NEW DELHI. S M Sehgal Foundation, a rural development NGO has effected renovation in two government-run schools in Faridabad, Haryana – about 35 km from New Delhi.

Under its ‘Transform Lives one school at a time’ program, the Foundation launched the complete transformation of the two middle-standard schools in village Sirohi and Khori Jamalpur with the cooperation of school staff, students, community, and school management committee members.

Sehgal Foundation’s projects and interventions include the integrated grassroots programs in agriculture development, water management, and rural governance, with an overarching focus on the empowerment of girls and women.

Key aspects of each program culminate into the Transform Lives one school at a time program, which is giving hope for a better future to India’s rural schoolchildren, stated the press release issued by the NGO.

‘Transform Lives one school at a time’ aims to create positive change and secure a better future for schoolchildren in rural India.

The initiative integrates Sehgal Foundation’s key programs on water security, food security, and social justice. Launched in late 2016, the initiative has grown with the generous support received from donors and partners.

Monetary support for the two newly renovated schools was received from Vijay Dixit and donor community from Minnesota, USA.

Dr. H.P. Sharma, former Scientist with National Botanical Research Institute graced the inauguration event as a chief guest on January 16.

He spoke on the importance of providing a conducive environment for schoolchildren to flourish and attain education.

School buildings were renovated and repaired to include rainwater-harvesting systems, clean drinking water, separate toilets for boys and girls, sanitary kitchen facilities for meal prep, and leveled school grounds with plantation, meeting areas, and play equipment.

The Sehgal Foundation team worked with the community and school management committees to build their capacities to sustain the assets created under the project.

Sehgal Foundation trustee and executive vice president, Rajat Jay Sehgal, paid gratitude to the school and village committees for their support and cooperation in the interventions. School headmasters, Rafiq Khan, village Khori and Mahipal Singh, village Sirohi felt proud of showcasing the improvements in their school and were hopeful of the increase in school enrolment.

Chief Operating Officer, S M Sehgal Foundation, Anjali Makhija, said, “In the completed schools, school management committees are active and involved, student attendance has increased, girls stay in school longer with lesser dropouts, and students are more motivated and empowered. The knowledge students gain in life skills education, digital literacy, and good governance training has impacted their families as well as their communities.”

Also present at the occasion were sarpanch Dayachand from village Khori and sarpanch Rozdaar from Sirohi.

Sehgal Foundation was established in 1999 as a public charitable trust to strengthen community-led development initiatives to achieve positive social, economic, and environmental change across rural India. The Foundation has entered its third decade in rural India with a presence in over 890 villages across 27 districts in eight states of India and the work continues to grow.