CHENNAI: To reiterate its commitment to work towards the development of communities around its ecosystem, Ford India has refurbished two schools of Chitamanur and Kizhakarnai, two neighbouring villages of its Maraimalai Nagar plant.The refurbishment, finished during a short window of the summer vacation, was made possible by the strong volunteerism demonstrated by the Ford India workforce who led the initiative with active enthusiasm. To coincide with the reopening of the two schools on Tuesday, Ford India unveiled the facilities, spreading cheer among the students, their parents and teachers.Last year, Ford India had helped build a compound wall around the primary school in Chitamanur. Helped by a strong wave of support from its dealers, who donated `20 lakh to refurbish the schools, Ford India provided a matching amount to ensure better learning spaces for the school children.“We are committed to the betterment of communities we work amongst and this is a step in this direction. School is the first step towards the future and that brought us to start with an institution of education,” said Tom Chackalackal, VP, manufacturing of Ford India, at a function held to mark the occasion.The refurbishment includes renovating the roof and floors of the classrooms, toilets and providing new furniture at the Panchayat Union Primary School, Kizhakarnai. At Melrosapuram CSI High School in Chitamanur, a long unused classroom was similarly refurbished and handed over to the children. The facilities have been refurbished at a cost of `40 lakh. In addition, Ford India distributed schoolbags, books and new uniforms to over 700 children. “We hope the improved facilities will motivate the students to study better. The new books, bags and uniforms will uplift their morale and help them start the session on a happy note,” added Tom.Ford India supports neighbouring villages through a primary healthcare centre in Sanjeevi, which has more than two-lakh registered patients. In 2010, as part of the annual Ford Global Week of Caring, over 1,000 volunteers from Ford India came together to plant 800 saplings on the GST road in Chengalpattu. Since its launch in August 2009, Driving Skills for Life, Ford’s driving training programme, has trained over 2,000 people.
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