For children in remote areas of India, inadequate learning environments are not uncommon. Many classrooms lack basic amenities like desks, lighting and safe drinking water.
Through Carrier’s support of a school adoption program in southern India, more children from impoverished villages have access to a safe and quality education by focusing on three major pillars – infrastructure development, academic development and holistic development. Carrier has teamed up with the nongovernmental organization (NGO) Nirmaan Organization to transform schools in the region. The NGO’s mission is to promote grassroots social innovations, volunteerism, active citizenship and social leadership among the nation’s youth.
Carrier is committed to developing the next generation of global critical thinkers and innovators by investing in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education programs that promote inclusion and diversity in schools. The collaboration closely aligns with Carrier’s 2030 Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) goals of positively impact communities by enabling access to safe and healthy indoor environments, alleviating hunger and food waste, and employees volunteering time and talent.
Through Carrier’s support, older, inadequate schools have become proper learning environments equipped with safe drinking water and clean washrooms. Classroom upgrades included functional desks, fans, lights and science labs. This initiative has benefitted more than 2,000 students so far, resulting in an enrollment increase of 10%, with a very positive community response.
“It was an honor to work on the schools adoption project, as part of the Carrier initiative at Hyderabad, where we have adopted two more schools in the rural areas and provided them with basic amenities that created an improved learning environment for over 2,000 children," said Prakash Bodla, Executive Director, Engineering - Controls Development, Carrier. "It was indeed a splendid opportunity to see this transformation in the two schools, which has now led to a rise in enrollment of children by 10%. I am grateful to the volunteers, who wonderfully demonstrate our true Carrier Way culture.”
To determine which schools need immediate attention, Carrier employees speak with children and teachers at various locations and complete needs assessments. Each year, two schools are selected to move forward with the adoption process. The process takes anywhere from six to nine months to complete infrastructure additions, with three to five years planned total for all academic standard updates. Students will benefit from STEM-focused academics including accelerated learning programs planned in reading, writing, mathematics and arts. The school adoption program also provides students with volunteering, mentoring and extracurricular activities. For more information on Carrier’s corporate social initiatives, visit www.corporate.carrier.com/corporate-responsibility/.