Schools organizes Student Engagement Sessions to Promote the Altruistic Cause of Organ Donation

By 121 News

Chandigarh 29^th August:- Using colours and crayons, the senior students of Govt. Girls Model Senior Secondary School (GGMSSS), Sector 18 and Govt. Model Senior Secondary School (GMSSS), Sector 19 showcased their best painting skills. But this time they painted not for the art's sake, but to give expression to their creativity for a very noble cause of 'Organ Donation'.

These painting sessions were a part of the student engagement sessions organized under the pilot project  'Be the Change, Be An Organ Donor', launched by Deptt. of School Education, Chandigarh Administration in collaboration with Regional Organ & Tissue Transplant Organisation (ROTTO), PGI, which concluded here today.

Evincing a keen interest and proactive demeanor, Rubinderjit Singh Brar, Director School Education, Chandigarh Administration stated that this is an altruistic cause and we must orient the students about this national endeavor.   

A pilot project was launched in two of the premier government schools of the city GGMSSS, Sector 18 and GMSSS, Sector 19 wherein over 200 students from senior classes participated in the awareness sessions followed by painting competitions in both the schools and made the venue colourful with their expressive, vivid and sensitive portrayal on the theme.

Complimenting the initiative, Mrs. Ravinder Kaur, Principal, GMSSS, Sector 19 stated that encouraging participation from the students to inculcate awareness among family members to promote Organ Donation is a welcome step as students can act as 'change agents'. Reiterating the same sentiment, Ms Neeta Sandhu, Principal, GGMSSS, Sector 18 said that it is a social responsibility and we all must join hands and synergise to make the National Programme on Organ Donation a success.

Ms Nisha Sachdeva, a faculty member from GMSSS, Sector 19 highlighted the need to talk about the issue and proposed to make this campaign a part of the science exhibition being held in the month of October, 2016. 

Prior to the competitions, Ms Nilakshi Sharma and Ms Simmi B. Sumbria, Transplant Coordinators from ROTTO imparted awareness about the concept and underpinned the need for public education as critical to bridge the gap between patients who need organs and potential organ donors. Organ donation is considered to be a true 'Gift of Life' because it enables one to give 'second lease of life' to many critically ill patients in dire need of organ transplant, they stressed. The transplant coordinators from ROTTO addressed the queries posed by the students on the myths and misconceptions on the subject in the awareness sessions.

The students as well as teachers in both the schools found the sessions enriching experience and resolved that they would disseminate information about it and motivate their family members to pledge for organ donation.