PPG announced the completion of a COLORFUL COMMUNITIES® project at the Ba Long Primary and Secondary School in Quang Tri Province in central Vietnam. The project revitalized and beautified 24 classrooms, 15 functional rooms and two libraries.

PPG provided about 175 gallons (666 liters) of wood, metal and anti-graffiti coatings that the company produces in Vietnam, along with more than 1,560 gallons (5,900 liters) of TAUBMANS paint supplied by PPG Australia, an iconic Australian brand by PPG. PPG granted more than $35,000 (approximately 800 million dong) to support the renovation of the school’s classrooms and schoolyard.

The Colorful Communities program provides PPG volunteers and products along with financial contributions to bring color and vitality to communities where the company operates around the world, such as in Vietnam, where PPG has administrative and manufacturing facilities.

The Ba Long Primary and Secondary School is located in an area that has more natural disasters than any other place in Vietnam. The Ba Long area was destroyed by five consecutive floods and a number of landslides in October 2020, which caused serious damage to infrastructure and property. Flash floods triggered by heavy rains severely damaged the school, which has 455 pupils and 48 teachers.

During the Colorful Communities project, the school’s students provided inspiration to a local artist who created vibrant murals on exterior walls to raise awareness and illustrate the importance of environmental protection, especially establishing and protecting forests to prevent floods. The murals included guidelines on how to prepare for and cope with floods. PPG volunteers also painted the school’s interior and exterior walls in a cheerful color palette of yellow and green.

“After being damaged by the historic floods in late 2020, our school needed extensive renovation,” said Mr. Hoang Anh Tuan, headmaster, Ba Long Primary School. “Luckily, we got great support from PPG to repaint the school. We are extremely appreciative to PPG for our beautiful and more colorful school, which now provides a happier, more fruitful learning environment for our students and staff. The project is evidence of the benevolence toward and love of fellow human beings. I wish PPG continued success in helping other schools in Vietnam.”

“PPG overcame difficulties and obstacles during the pandemic to repaint the school and give it a brighter appearance that encourages our pupils to work harder,” said Hoang Y Le Va, chairwoman, People Committee Ba Long. “The environmental protection message is very meaningful in educating not only the pupils but also the local communities. We would like to express our sincere thanks to PPG and wish the company all success.”

“We are delighted to help the students at the Ba Long Primary and Secondary School, and they now have a brighter, happier and more positive place to study in,” said Nguyen Dinh Long, PPG country manager, Vietnam. “We completed the project before the pupils came back to school after the summer vacation. Although we were not able to be at the school to celebrate with the students, our employees in Vietnam drew and sent colorful wood fish to the students for connection. We certainly will implement more Colorful Communities projects like this one in the future.”

The Colorful Communities program, PPG’s signature initiative for supporting communities, aims to protect and beautify the neighborhoods where PPG operates around the world. Through the Colorful Communities program, PPG’s committed volunteers contribute their time and PPG paint products to help transform community assets – from painting classrooms, to bringing color to a maternity ward and redesigning a playground. Since 2015, PPG has completed 330 Colorful Communities projects, impacting more than 6.7 million people in 42 countries.