Some projects are more than just events. They are reminders that education is not only about classrooms, but also about communities, connections, and continuity.
Earlier this month in Dharwad, our alumni of Enabling Leadership at Timmapur Government School came together with a beautiful idea: to host a drawing competition for 4th graders. What made this special wasn’t just the art—it was the fact that it was alumni-led, designed to give back to the very school that shaped them.
Why Community Projects by Alumni Matter?
When former students return to their schools with initiatives like this, something powerful happens:
- Children see role models who once sat in the same classrooms, walked the same corridors, and now return as changemakers.
- Alumni build a legacy of belonging—proving that education doesn’t end with graduation; it continues when you give back.
- Schools benefit from fresh energy, resources, and innovative projects that enrich children’s experiences beyond academics.
This drawing competition was one such initiative—simple in form, but profound in impact.
What the Competition Gave to Children
The event provided children with more than crayons and paper—it offered them:
- Confidence: Standing up to share their artwork boosted self-esteem.
- Creativity: A chance to express themselves freely, often for the first time.
- Recognition: Every participant, not just the winners, left with a sense of pride and accomplishment.
In the words of one teacher, “It was not just about drawings—it was about discovering voices and visions we hadn’t seen before.”
Alumni as Mentors
The alumni didn’t just sponsor the materials; they became mentors. They encouraged students, shared stories from their own journeys, and reminded the children that their dreams matter. Even a small prize—like a set of crayons—became symbolic, showing that effort and imagination are worthy of recognition.
For alumni, too, this was a moment of joy and reflection. By raising funds, securing permissions, and planning the event responsibly, they demonstrated that giving back can be structured, impactful, and deeply fulfilling.
Children sat with their pencils, erasers, sharpeners, and crayons—each kit lovingly arranged through alumni fundraising. For three hours, blank sheets turned into bursts of color: flowers, fields, dreams, and hopes for the future.
The laughter, the pride, and the quiet focus in that room were proof enough that this project was more than successful.
A Legacy in Color
At its heart, this wasn’t just a drawing competition.
It was an alumni project that proved the power of community.
- It created opportunities for children to discover themselves.
- It strengthened the bond between the school and its alumni.
- It showed that with even the simplest tools—paper and crayons—we can build confidence, leadership, and joy in young hearts.
On that Sunday in Dharwad, the classrooms weren’t just filled with art. They were filled with hope. And that is a legacy that will last far beyond the drawings themselves.