This past week, a small Kannada medium school in Paniye Village in Kasaragod District was fully rebuilt by a volunteer team called MakeSome1Smile. The team spent about two lakh rupees to repair and repaint the entire building. This school has been in operation for over 70 years and provides education to hundreds of children in rural areas. They gave the school a fresh and bright look. The students and parents are delighted with the changes to the school.

Before the makeover, the classrooms had peeling paint and broken windows. Old benches made it hard for students to sit. Parents worried that the old structure would affect their children’s learning. Many parents even discussed sending their kids to faraway schools. The makeover changed this feeling. The classrooms now look clean and bright. The walls shine with new colours. The space seems safe for children in Classes 1 to 4.

The school has a little more than fifty students. Most children come from families that work on farms or hold daily-wage jobs. They have to walk to school from homes nearby. A local school is important for them because the long commutes may be too much for young children. The school’s new look has made parents more confident. One of the parents stated in the news article that she felt proud to send her child to this school. Another teacher mentioned that the students appear more energetic and smile more in class since the makeover.

The volunteer organization MakeSome1Smile covered all renovation costs. They arrived with paint, brushes, and tools, fixed the benches, cleaned the yard, and then painted the classrooms, staff rooms, and the compound wall. Their goal was to provide the children with a better learning environment. The volunteers said they wanted to create a school where children feel welcome every morning. They plan to take up more such school renovation projects across the district.

In addition to the renovation, the volunteers also intend to relaunch a previous health awareness campaign for the school. The volunteers want to educate students in basic health practices, including handwashing, maintaining a clean classroom, and drinking clean water. The teachers believe this support will benefit students’ health and learning.
The renovated school in Kasaragod now stands as an example for many rural schools. It shows what can happen when volunteers, teachers, and parents work together. The children of this school now walk into a colourful building every morning. 

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