This summer, students of the Corporation High School at K K Pudur in the city are on a digital mission to fight alcoholism. Wanting to make the best use of their holidays, seven students of the school have embarked on a campaign against liquor consumption and its ill-effects through the Digital Storytelling (DST) format.
As a part of their summer camp, the students of classes-VII, VIII and IX have made efforts to interact with alcoholics, visit TASMAC outlets and seek advice from medical practitioners on the ill-effects of alcohol and ways to fight and overcome the condition. The students are helped by the American India Foundation, which has tied up with the Coimbatore Corporation.
For most students, the fight against alcoholism begins at home. “My father usually drinks and troubles us. When we decided to do a theme-based DST, there was no doubt that the theme would be alcoholism,” says Durga, a student.
The students said they were inspired by stories they heard at de-addiction centres. “Some inmates were crying as they spoke to us. Many were happy that they could lead a happy life once de-addicted. We felt a sense of pride in working with the theme,” says Gracy.
Seven different projects were created by students at a five-day summer camp across 23 corporation schools between April 22-May 24, says V Alexander, regional coordinator, American India Foundation.