“Fill the Life with colors”, many must have heard this, but I got a chance to do it, quite literally! Jignasa (curiosity), thats how I stumbled upon this lovely event. A few days ago, a friend of mine sent me an invite for an event on facebook and the moment I saw it, I was mesmerised by it, not because it was something different, but because it was something special, heart touching, something to which I connected instantly. An organisation called “Paintbox” was organising an open event at my school. They were going to paint the walls of certain classrooms in my school with vibrant colors. The moment I learnt about it, my heart said “Wow!” I felt it’s such an opportunity, how many do get the chance of doing it?!
Then I called up the authority of Paintbox to register myself as a volunteer and that’s how I met this lovely lady, Jignasa. I knew that they were going to paint the walls but once I reached there and learnt more about the event, it even made me even happier to know that such compassionate beings do exist! The event was not just about painting the walls of a school, but to make the students of the same school to do so. Paintbox, with help of a faculty and the parents, pointed out a group of students who are notorious in school and not really disciplined. The painting of walls was just a way to make those students respect their school and to bring about discipline and a sense of ownership for the school space in those kids. And I was deeply touched by this idea! Education and arts have been two things that have always been close to my heart and to see those two colours blend in such a smooth shades, creating a beautiful blend was a delight to my soul.
Not only Jignasa, but her family too was part of this and they were such lovely souls to meet. Just as I entered the school, I introduced myself and then I was paired up with one of the students, Khalil to do the wall painting, I had to paint the walls orange. I was handed over the paintbrush and Khalil, a roller! I painted the colour with brush and Khalil instantly evened out the colour using the roller while the colour was wet. And he did this job brilliantly! I didn’t even realise that those kids where so notorious! In that space they seemed such disciplined kids and they were doing their job quite astutely. And well, I forgot to tell one thing about the concept, the volunteers were not only paired with the kids to just paint, but they were also supposed to interact! And he he, not only was it asked to do so, during the lunch break, Jignasa also kept questioning the students like teacher(which she was in real sense!), what did they learn, what did they ask and such series of questions. And at no point did she lose her cool nor did the students give her a chance to do so! I never felt that I was sitting there in the classroom with the difficult most set of students of the school!
And then after painting, with memories refreshed, contentment in heart and peace of mind, I left the premises, enchanted by the whole experience. And now I can boast about this to everybody and say,” Yes, I filled the Life with colors!”
