Children at a Mumbai school organized a week-long cleanliness drive in their community in response to issues like dirty surroundings, alcoholism, and violence. Over the course of 6 days, the students brainstormed issues, planned activities like making posters and cards, and donated dustbins. They spoke with community members about cleanliness and led marches with chants. On the final day of action, the students participated in cleaning their surroundings. They learned the importance of cleanliness and expressed wanting to continue the drive in future years.

1. SaafSafaiaurSikhai!By AkankshaShindewadi Mumbai Public SchoolDadar, Mumbai

2. Day 1 : FeelChildren spoke about issues that bothered them the most in their community and came up with the following:Dirty surroundings (normally during and after festivals)AlcoholismViolence at homeThe children said they believed that all the above concerns were somehow or the other related to the unclean and unhygienic surrounding they all lived in.

3. Day 2 : Imagine The students of 4th grade chose to lead a Cleanliness Drive within their own community Gautam Nagar and adjacent chawls of ShindewadiandShivneri. The students brainstormed to leave a lasting impression on the people in their community. They came up with the following:Chant Cleanliness SlogansMake Posters and Placards to walk withGift Dustbins to their community officeGive Cards to the people they meet

4. Day 3: Do After inviting the Junior College students from the same building, the students started the pre-work for the Cleanliness Drive by making cards for their community.Each card was drawn and colored by the childrenfollowed by Junior College students writing the slogans in it.

16. Day 4: Doing just continues….Dust bins were donated by Viraj Clean Sea Enterprises Pvt. Ltd.The children sat in groups and painted dustbins which they had decided to donate to the community centre. They also continued to color cards as their goal was to make 300 cards in next 3 days.

34. Cleaning their immediate surroundings After painting the dustbins, The students again volunteered to clean up the gallery where they sat and worked before.

42. Day 5: PreparationOn the last day, the students prepared Posters and Placards for the final day. Volunteers from the Junior College also volunteered to help the kids make more cards and placards on this day.

64. Day 6: Building up the actionChildren move out of their schools and enter 3 different communities to talk to the people living there.Groups of children also marched out in the open to promote cleanliness with their placards and chants.After coming back, they brainstormed how the whole week was for them, what they learned, what will stay with them forever.

76. Time for ActionThe gloves came onThe work started!

92. Giving...Our principal donating the Dustbins to the community office personnel.

94. Lessons LearntChildren promise to use dustbins and keep their community clean.Children express their eagerness to do the same Rally and Cleanliness Drive next year as well.