21st Primary School Painting Project

It's wonderful when so many people come together, giving freely of their time for the benefit of others. Over the past two Saturdays (Jan 17 & 24th) over 50 ISM students and teachers came ready, willing, and able to scrape, sand, wipe, brush and roll the walls of the "21st Primary School", a little Burmese Govt. School located about three minutes walk from ISM. From the looks of this little school it must have been many many years since it was last painted and cared for in this way.

May Nine, Sumie and Vivian

Each of the two Saturdays the early painting crews arrived at 7:45 am with painting clothes on. Carrying our painting supplies, we walked over to the little school and began the task of preparing the walls for painting (the most important part of a good quality paint job). This included sanding, scrapping, wiping, and taping... As the morning went on, more and more students and teachers arrived to lend a helping hand, including the MS and HS community service students, teachers from the Elem., MS, and HS, the HS girls

Ms. Suzanne painting with smiles

basketball team, the soccer team, the softball team, Model U.N., Ms. Amanda's 5th grade class and many more students who simply came because they wanted to be of help. Not only did ISM students and teachers come out to help, but also many of the students from the little school were there as well. It was wonderful working side by side with these students from such a different background to ISM students and teachers.

The little school is home to 120 first through fifth graders, many of whom live in a very

School Painting 2nd Day - 44

poor village next door to ISM. The ISM community service club feels that school, the place where kids come to learn and grow, needs to be a place that they can feel proud of. Thanks to the support and willingness of the 21st Primary School principal to open her gates for us to paint, we were able to help them come closer to fulfilling that wish.

As the days work went on the feeling of separation between us and them began to dissolve. We were simply all working together for a common purpose. And painting, as we

Wardah doing a fine job:)

found, became a great way for our communities to join together. How nice to see instant results from our efforts as well. The school literally looks like a new place as you can see by flipping through the photos.

Whenever ISM students and teachers, and our new friends from the neighboring village, walk or ride or drive by the little school, it will hopefully be a reminder of what we are capable of doing whenever we put our hearts and minds together into making a positive difference in the world.

Thank you for reading and sharing in our joy.
MS Community Service Club

P.S. A BIG THANK YOU TO MAY NINE (6D) AND SI THU'S (6D) FAMILIES FOR DONATING ALL OF THE PAINT AND MANY OF THE BRUSHES, ROLLERS, AND TRAYS THAT WERE USED DURING THIS PROJECT!