PPG’s New Paint for a New Start initiative transforms primary school in China

PPG has completed a colourful and transformative makeover at the Caochang Primary School in Jingmen City, Hubei Province, China through its global New Paint for a New Start initiative, part of the company’s Colorful Communities® programme.

The project was carried out in a partnership between PPG and automotive manufacturer SAIC-GM Chevrolet, combining PPG’s Colorful Communities programme with the Chevrolet Red Chalk teacher support programme for schools in rural regions. The project brought together 30 volunteers from PPG’s Automotive Coatings office in Hubei and SAIC-GM Chevrolet, who worked together to renovate the exterior walls of the Caochang Primary School.

“We are excited to partner with SAIC-GM Chevrolet – both companies are really aligned in sustainability and corporate social responsibility,” said David Cui, PPG General Manager Greater China, Automotive Coatings. “Through this project, we aim to unlock the children’s creativity and imagination with the power of colour and art while beautifying the campus to create a more comfortable learning environment. Looking ahead, we plan to carry out more projects that contribute to protecting and beautifying the world.”

Caochang Primary School is a rural school that serves seven villages with a total population of more than 13,000; it is currently home to more than 470 students and educators. However, some of its buildings were becoming outdated, with the exterior paint fading and peeling off. The New Paint for a New Start project refurbished the facility to create a vibrant and colourful space using a colour palette of sky blue and beige and murals named “Lighting up Dreams” and “Happy Sports.”

“I would like to thank PPG and SAIC-GM Chevrolet for their great help and support, as they have brought us such an inspiring colour scheme and beautiful mural painting,” said Wang Haifeng, Principal, Caochang Primary School. “These vivid wall paintings give the entire campus a new look. Not only can they improve the culture of our school, but they can also stimulate our children’s enthusiasm to learn and create and help to make their dreams come true.”

“PPG employees from every region are coming together once again to protect and beautify schools and learning spaces and inspire bright starts for students,” said Malesia Dunn, Executive Director, PPG Foundation and Corporate Global Social Responsibility. “For young students, every day is an opportunity for a new start to learn, grow and develop in a positive learning environment. We are aiming to help them start each day with a positive outlook and create joyful spaces where they feel supported and engaged.”

In the second year of New Paint for a New Start, PPG employees around the world are volunteering their time throughout the months of June, July and August to transform more than 25 schools. Using PPG paint products and colour expertise, each project aims to create engaging spaces for students to learn and grow.

The Colorful Communities programme, PPG’s signature initiative for supporting communities, aims to protect and beautify the neighborhoods where PPG operates around the world. Through the Colorful Communities programme, PPG’s committed volunteers contribute their time and PPG paint products to help transform community assets – from painting classrooms to bringing colour to a maternity ward and redesigning a playground. Since 2015, PPG has completed more than 470 Colorful Communities projects, impacting more than 8.2M people in 50 countries.