Paint, Parrots and New Friendships!

Yesterday was one of those unexpectedly magical days that stay with you.

I was part of a road clean-up event on Leonard Lane in Richmond Town, and what started as a community service project turned into something way more exciting—and honestly, unforgettable. There was a whole group of kids there, and though I didn’t know most of them at first, by the end of the day, I had made a bunch of new friends. It’s amazing how a little paint and a shared goal can bring people together.

The day kicked off with us prepping a long wall that ran along the lane. It was originally plain white, but we gave it a fresh start with a beautiful light blue base coat. While we waited for the paint to dry (which felt like forever), we turned the road into our own little party zone. We sang songs, danced right there in the street, and just had fun being kids together. It wasn’t planned—but those moments felt the most real.

The Children’s Welfare Association (CWA) was there too, and they surprised us with free mango softies. Let me tell you—cold mango on a warm day, after dancing your heart out? Absolute bliss.

Once the blue wall had dried, we got back to work. We painted towering mountains in deep forest green and a lighter leafy shade, layering them to give a sense of depth. Then came my favorite part—we added bright green parrots with pops of color in their feathers, as if they were flying right off the wall. We also painted huge circles in yellow, white, and green, which gave the whole mural a playful rhythm.

The entire wall turned into this vibrant story told through color. And we were the storytellers.

What stood out the most to me—aside from the joy of painting and the mango softies—was how quickly strangers became friends. We shared laughs, encouraged each other’s art, and created something beautiful side by side. I walked away from Leonard Lane not just proud of the mural, but full from the experience, and from all the new connections I made.

Yesterday wasn’t just about cleaning a road—it was about transforming it, together.