WHAT WE DO

Founded in 2009, The Paintbox is a Mumbai-based social enterprise focused on improving the educational experience of underprivileged youth by beautifying their learning environments. White walls, though often used in classrooms, are not conducive to learning. We believe that the presence of colour profoundly affects children, and that poor design and dreary walls add unnecessary dullness to education. The International Association of Color Consultants - North America (IACC-NA) also cites that a school’s physical environment has a powerful psycho-physiological impact on its students. “Appropriate color design is important in protecting eyesight, in creating surroundings that are conducive to studying, and in promoting physical and mental health.” The IACC also notes that many cases of irritability, premature fatigue, lack of interest and behavioural problems can be attributed directly to incorrect environmental conditions involving poorly planned colour and lighting.

Colour in a classroom environment should maximize information retention, stimulate productivity and encourage participation. By simply transforming the learning environment through thoughtfully-chosen colours and designs, The Paintbox transforms our students’ attitudes and behaviour toward education. We add energy and imagination to the classrooms.

HOW WE DO IT

The Paintbox partners with socially responsible organisations to fulfil our mission. Volunteers from our partner organisations paint alongside a handful of students at each school to bring about a thoughtful transformation of the classrooms. Our volunteering opportunity also provides a unique forum for informal mentorship. In the end, we have a warm and welcoming learning environment that is filled with a sense of pride.

Initially, our team conducts a survey of the classrooms to be painted in order to identify the scope of work. This involves identification of structural damage, weather-related damage, size of classrooms, amount of materials required, etc. All work to prepare the classrooms for painting including scraping, puttying, and priming the walls is performed by a painting contractor. Thereafter, the volunteers from our partners and a handful of selected students from the school paint the classrooms with 2 coats of the final colour of paint. Volunteering to paint is a one-day commitment. 

WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO

Benefits to the Students

• Learn positive work habits, the value of taking initiative and teamwork
• Learn about responsibility and accountability for work
• Cultivate pride and self-esteem through visual representation of success
• Build ownership and respect toward the school
• Improvement in attendance due to a change in attitude towards education
• Impact their learning environment in a meaningful way

Benefits to the School

• Receive a well-thought and stimulating learning environment
• Revive attitudes, energy levels and morale of faculty and students
• A beautiful and clean school speaks volumes to its students – it says that someone cares about you and that you are worthy of this effort

Benefits to the Volunteers

• Network with other volunteers, friends and colleagues in a meaningful way
• Engage in a creative recreational activity and beautify an underprivileged school
• Experience the gratification of supporting your community
• Be a role model and inspire underprivileged youth to reach higher
• Become aware of one’s own social responsibility
• Meet corporate social responsibility requirements

OUR Projects

Our work has included the following institutions:

OUR PARTNERS

Our work is possible because of our individual, corporate and foundation donors. We couldn’t do it without you!

TESTIMONIALS

“A great way to make kids start loving their school more because truly it would be exciting to come to vibrant classrooms! It's a great activity!”
- Sonali Mody, Teacher, Aditya Birla World Academy

 “It was really fun and a pleasure to work with you guys. I am elated for the cause you are working for and felt lucky to be a part of it”
- Sandip Behera, Sr. Tech Associate, Bank of America

 “The whole concept is unique! I enjoyed the childrens’ enthusiasm”
- Shaishavi Kadakia, Lawyer, Wadia Gandhy & Co

 “I think it’s unique because of the various types of productivity going in. The mentoring, the painting, the FUN, and a chance for the mentors themselves to learn so much. I know how these kids can get in school but seeing them here and so productive and involved was awesome! The difference we see in them is amazing!”
- Raisa Romer, Teaching Fellow, Umedbhai Patel English School

 “Few organizations (maybe none!) provide a fun, friendly outlet for creative expression for these kids AND for volunteers like us”.
- Gaurav Yadav, Stock Trader, Credit Leon

 “I love the entire concept of gathering school students to paint their school to develop their respect and love for school”.
- Rahul Khatri, Software Developer, Java Jugglers Pvt Ltd

 “A really enjoyable experience. The activity was great fun and even though it might look like a professional's job in the beginning, it wasn't the case when we got started. Our involvement in the activity was even more fun when it came to painting with the kids!! An awesome, fun experience overall!!!”
- Chirag Sidana, PricewaterhouseCoopers

 “Highly joyous and lovely experience”
- Pulkit Gupta, PricewaterhouseCoopers

 “It was a very fulfilling event, where we learned a bit about each other, a bit about the students and a lot more about the community we live in. It's not every day that we are able to make a very tangible difference and give back to our local community.”
- Chaitan Kanungo, Nomura Services India Pvt Ltd

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CONTACT US

Jignasa Dhandhia
Founder & Proprietor
jignasa@thepaintbox.in
+91 9833132411