Ford India Launches Happy Schools Program in Gurgaon/NCR

Ford has announced the expansion of its ‘Happy Schools’ initiative in Gurgaon/NCR. Focused on bridging the gaps with the introduction of a unique art-based-curriculum, the Happy Schools program in Gurgaon/NCR will cover 10 Government/ Aided primary schools in the first phase, benefiting more than 1000 children.

The Happy Schools is Ford’s ongoing initiative to improve access to holistic education by addressing gaps in infrastructure, academic support, health and nutrition. Under the program, Ford partners with reputed NGOs to collectively conceptualize and design social interventions that address identified gaps specific to each school. For Gurgaon/NCR chapter, Ford will partner Nalandaway, an NGO renowned for using visual and performing arts to help children be creative and express through Arts.

With a special Arts in Education curriculum, the implementation in Gurgaon/NCR will involve training teachers to integrate fine arts, music, drama and theatre exercises in day-to-day learning. Ford’s Happy Schools initiative was first announced at the Jaipur Literature Festival in 2014 and has continued to receive appreciation from State Government(s) in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. Presently, Happy Schools program in India covers 40 schools in Chennai and Sanand.

During the inauguration of the program in Gurgaon/NCR, volunteers from the company created mural paintings to create awareness about Road Safety among children and distributed learning kits for each class. Making the atmosphere livelier, Delhi Chamber Choir, a group of underprivileged children mesmerized the school kids with their soulful performance.