Project Name: Help Desk

Project managers/designers: Natalie Lundakova, Harsh Bharech, Gioia Placuzzi, Connie Chan

Web link: http://www.helpdesk-aarambh.com/

Description: In the rural schools of India, children often sit in the floor to do their work without the aid of desks, and carry their books and materials home in flimsy, plastic shopping bags. Working with slum communities and rural areas, Help Desks are made from discarded cardboard in Mumbai from corporate housing, retail outlets and recyclers to transform Indian school children's studying equipment. Crafters stencil out and cut a simple desk, which also conveniently folds up into a briefcase-like school bag that students can use to carry their belongings. Moreover, children who sit for long hours without the benefit of a desk can develop poor posture, eyesight problems and bad handwriting; the Help Desk reduces this possibility.

Added by: Charlotte Gilks