This year marks the 5th anniversary of the partnership between AkzoNobel and SOS Children’s Villages in China. Although the focus previously was on adding color to the living spaces in the SOS Villages, the collaboration with the Dulux team has grown further this year. The partnership has evolved from decorating living spaces to enlightening the future of young people by sharing knowledge and skills, ultimately creating a better future for the children in need.
Shades of Joy and Inspiration
SOS Children’s Villages China represents a crucial philanthropic initiative with a network of ten children’s villages strategically placed across China, spanning locations such as Tianjin, Yantai, Qiqihar, Nanchang, Kaifeng, Chengdu, Putian, Urumqi, Lhasa, and Beijing.
Starting in 2018, Let’s Colour and our Dulux team have been actively engaged in a meaningful partnership with SOS Children’s Villages in China. After a heartwarming visit to SOS Children’s Village Tianjin, we decided to extend our support beyond donations. We embarked on a comprehensive wall renovation project for the village.
From corridors and activity centers to bedrooms, every space was transformed into something spectacular – spacious, tidy, and bursting with vibrant colors. This new, lively environment brought a sense of hope and happiness to children who have experienced the loss of their family’s love.
But Let’s Colour didn’t stop at brightening living spaces. We also believe in the adage, ‘Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.’ That’s why we decided to provide young people from villages with vocational education opportunities, helping them stand strong in society.
Painting The Future
This year, Dulux officially launched the YouthCan! painting training Course for young people from SOS Children’s Villages across the country. Thirteen young adults, aged between 18 and 26, participated in a training program tailor-made by Dulux Academy. They all brought their dreams and aspirations with them.
The journey began with a visit to the AkzoNobel factory, where the participants learned about the paint production process. They then delved into interactive courses, combining theory and practice. Dulux’s new wall coating system was explored in theory, followed by practical application sessions of several Dulux paint products.
Their three-day effort culminated in painting a bicycle shed at the Dulux site in Chengdu, showcasing their new skills and teamwork. This unique educational program made a lasting impact and enriched the lives of both students and staff of the SOS Children’s Village. The participants appreciated the transformative nature of the program, from little industry knowledge to achieving remarkable proficiency.
Embracing a Shared Vision of Caring
Song Zhihong, Acting Secretary-General of SOS Children’s Villages China, commented on the activity: “I hope that through this special YouthCan! education program, more people will pay attention to and support SOS Children’s Villages China, and at the same time, I also thank and appreciate the strong support from Dulux, fully affirm AkzoNobel’s commitment to corporate social responsibility, and hope to form a joint force with the support of all sectors of society to bring a better future to the youth of SOS Children’s Village.”
The mission of our partnership with SOS Children’s Villages is to ignite a passion for learning and personal growth, equipping young people with valuable skills and promising career opportunities. By empowering youth with knowledge, we aim to pave the way for a brighter future, starting with creating fresh, vibrant environments and a world full of opportunity – a testament to Let’s Color’s commitment to transforming people’s lives.
Find out more about Dulux China.
