Twin Cities Rotary partnered with the Rotary Club of Chandigarh Midtown to update the Singpura Ges (government elementary school).
Our club has always been composed of individuals who are steadfast believers in service above self. One of our members, Anil Puri, has connections to the Rotary Club of Chandigarh Midtown in India.
We have partnered with this club on varying occasions toward projects in India. Recently we were informed about Singpura Ges, a school located in Singpura, Panjab, India with about 250 students enrolled. One hundred of these students are in lower and upper kindergarten; the remaining 150 are enrolled in first through fifth grades. All the students live between 1 and 2 kilometers away from the school and walk to school as no school transportation is available.
The majority of these students' families make between $200 and $300 per month. Every student's uniform and lunch is provided by the school itself. It was brought to our club's attention that this school was in need of major improvements.
Thus, we set to work.
The Twin Cities Rotary Club partnered with the Rotary Club of Chandigarh Midtown to improve sanitation in the building, add classrooms and create a staff room with a toilet facility.
On March 15, 2023, the Rotary Club of Chandigarh Midtown submitted an application for classroom construction to Vinay Bulbani, director of general school education, Panjab State.
The permission was received in writing on April 8, 2023. The Twin Cities Rotary Club made a special request to improve sanitation on an urgent basis to the Rotary Club of Chandigarh Midtown, which was completed on Aug. 15, 2023.
A memorandum of understanding was prepared and signed between Chindigarh Midtown and Twin Cities for a 50-50 collaboration to construct two classrooms and a staff room with a toilet facility.
In total, it was estimated that this would cost $28,000.
Upon the approval of the work through proper channels, the time to raise funds for the project began.
Twin Cities Rotary Club members alone donated $3,200. Our fellow Longview Rotary Club graciously took up the cause and donated $2,000. Chehalis Rotary Club also provided their contribution in the amount of $1,000. The remaining $6,930 came directly from members of the Puri Family.
Thanks to these incredible contributions, construction toward the alterations of the school started on Nov. 6, 2023, and was completed by July 2024.
On Aug. 15, 2024 the Rotary Club of Chandigarh Midtown Rotarians handed over the new classrooms to Singpura School officials.
This is an accomplishment that was only achieved through collaboration and teamwork. Twin Cities Rotary Club and the Rotary Club of Chandigarh Midtown want to truly thank all involved in this endeavor. From the gracious financiers to the ones on the ground providing the labor.
This work is a testament to the power and magic of Rotary.
