The Essar Foundation celebrated the Joy of Giving Week, from October 2-8 this year through a number of fun-filled initiatives for kids
On October 4, 2011, it joined hands with the Akanksha Foundation to organize an exciting day out for the students of Shri NK Ruia Madhyamik Vidyalaya in Lonavala (a hill station in the state of Maharashtra).
The Essar and Akanksha Foundations also partnered with renowned sculptor Arzan Khambata who designed a brilliant, interactive art workshop for people of all ages, at the High Street Phoenix Mall in Mumbai. For the workshop, which was specially put together to coincide with the Joy of Giving Week, Arzan created a large bamboo teepee from which a bucket with an adjustable aperture was hung. Below the structure he placed a number of canvases covered with stenciled images. The images were designed by renowned artists and were based on the theme of education.
Once the participants choose one of the stencils, the bucket was filled with paint and then swung, causing the paint to splatter onto the canvass below in random patterns. This was repeated with numerous colours and the result was beautiful, unique pieces of art. The stencils were then cut out and given to each participant.
On October 4, 50 kids from Class IX of Essar’s Lonavala school visited the mall to participate in this innovative art workshop. Arzan himself was on hand to supervise the proceedings. With colours splashing all around, the kids had a lot of fun. The installation engaged participants in an imaginative and exciting activity, while encouraging them to contribute to an important cause.
The Joy of Giving Week is a three-year-old initiative conceived by GiveIndia that aims to bring together people from all walks of life. As part of the initiative participants can chose to donate either time, money or their skills, or perform simple acts of kindness. Regardless of the act, the Week is an opportunity to demonstrate the power and joy of giving. (Read more at www.joyofgivingweek.ning.com)
The Akanksha Foundation is a non-profit organization with a mission to make a difference to the lives of children from low-income communities. Akanksha works primarily in the field of education and reaches out to around 4,000 children through 46 centers and 9 schools in Mumbai and Pune.
