PPG’s New Paint for a New Start initiative transforms secondary school lab and playgrounds in Turkey

PPG has completed a colourful makeover and renewal at the Meliha Cemal Bagci Secondary School in Bursa through its global New Paint for a New Start initiative, part of the company’s Colourful Communities® programme. PPG supported this project with more than US$28,000 (650,000 Turkish lira) which brought together more than 30 PPG volunteers, who spent two days repainting the Science Laboratory, playgrounds and a number of benches at the school with fresh colours and an inspiring mural.

PPG donated more than 160 litres of Tikkurila® and other paints by PPG to support the project, including TikkurilaNova 20 water-borne paint for professional interior painting and Tikkurilla Ultra Classic paint with excellent properties against weathering. The colour scheme was based on a palette especially designed for the New Paint for a New Start initiative.

Meliha Cemal Bağcı Secondary School, which has more than 1,900 students and educators, was selected by local leadership and PPG employees due to it being located in a disadvantaged area. The volunteers also completed a science-themed mural designed to inspire and educate students about harmony between different diciplines of science. They were guided by Baturay Bostancı, a local professional muralists from Turkey. Besides repainting the laboratory, PPG donated new laboratory equipment including, teacher unit, student units, chairs, supply cabinets, chemical supplies cabinet with special ventilation system, renewed water infrastructure and nearly 170 more items, including test tubes, posters, anatomic sculptures and experiment materials. The items were part of the list of mandatory experimental materials, which were provided by the Turkish Ministry of National Education.

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“We have been so glad that the project was completed without any delay. We hope this beautiful project will be the beginning of a partnership between our school and PPG, which we look forward to continuing for a long time” said Abdullah İnce, Head Teacher, Meliha Cemal Bagci Secondary School. “One of the main objectives of the project was to create a beautiful and colourful laboratory for the children where they can feel more comfortable, and we believe that such a surrounding will inspire them to achieve their future goals.”

In the second year of New Paint for a New Start, PPG employees around the world volunteered 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.

“Education sits at the helm of the innovation that will shape our world for generations to come,” said Olga Kolevatova, PPG General Manager, Middle East, Turkey and Eygpt. “Thanks to the determined work of our volunteers, we are happy to donate this science laboratory to the school. We believe that by investing in education and fostering a passion for STEM subjects, we are contributing to the development of a brighter, more sustainable future for all.”

Click here to see a video of the project.