"The Paint-a-School initiative symbolizes the many ways Citi makes a difference, through our business practices, our philanthropy, and our volunteerism."

7:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning, Karachi, Pakistan: Citi volunteers—employees, family members, and friends—arrive at The Citizens Foundation Primary School in Machar (“Mosquito”) Colony. The neighborhood is home to 700,000 people and is one of the city’s most deprived areas in terms of housing, hygiene, medical care, and overall living conditions. It is also home to three primary schools—beacons of hope and education for 700 children—run by The Citizens Foundation (TCF).

Citi partnered with TCF, a leading non-profit educational organization that has built 455 free or subsidized schools with an enrollment of 55,000 students across the country, on the Citi-TCF Paint-a School program. The volunteers arrived at the primary school armed with paint—donated by ICI Pakistan Limited—brushes, rollers, cleaning equipment, and a spirit of giving.

Geared up and masked, the team got right to work scraping, scrubbing, painting, and polishing classrooms, the library, offices, and staff room in the 13-room building. All in all, 90 volunteers spent Saturday and Sunday at the school.They also met some of the TCF students who, even at a young age, know that education is the key to improving their futures and those of their families.

Madam Mussarat, the school principal, was thrilled at the results of the volunteers’ work. She said, “This is a one-of-a kind event. Aside from cleaning up and painting the school, which is commendable on its own, the Citi volunteers have really motivated our students, who don’t normally get the opportunity to mix with role models such as these.”

The students thanked the volunteers for their efforts with a talent show. Listening to the young voices raised in song and looking at their smiling faces was all the thanks the volunteers needed.

“Thank you for doing a great job,” said a TCF manager, “It was a very successful event and the main stakeholders—students and teachers of Machar Colony School—appreciated Citi’s efforts. Your appreciation for the children’s talent show really boosted the morale of the school. We hope we can continue these activities and benefit to as many TCF campuses as possible.”

Said Citi Country Officer & Managing Director Zubyr Soomro, who along with Corporate Markets & Banking Head Arif Usmani and several members of Citi’s senior management, made up the volunteer brigade, “Citi is committed to mobilizing the enthusiasm and talents of our employees so that they can make a positive difference in the communities where we work. This Paint-a-School initiative symbolizes the many ways we make a difference, through our business practices, our philanthropy, and our volunteerism.”

Citi employees are encouraged to devote time to community service and celebrate such efforts with families and friends. Citi not only supports volunteerism but rewards it through a Volunteer Incentive program, dedicated volunteer days, and a Volunteer Management system.