- Community
As part of the Hangzhou International School Learner Profile, students engage in community activities that show empathy and charitable work. During the first semester, Upper School students helped lead in two activities: Movember in November, and Secret Santa the following month.
Movember
Movember is a worldwide organization that raises money and awareness for men's health. As their Global Scientific Chair Dr. Colleen Nelson says, "Together with the brightest minds in research, we aim to achieve significant breakthroughs in the hope of beating prostate cancer. Our disruptive funding approach identifies revolutionary ways to accelerate health outcomes by creating strong, global collaborative teams."
HIS teachers have had a Movember team which has raised awareness and money for over 10 years. Cancer has affected many of us within the HIS community and is something that resonates strongly with many of our students, parents, and faculty. This year during the month of November, the HIS Movember team was able to raise and donate over US$600 to the Movember organization.
Twelth grader Ronan M. has donated to HIS Movember for several years. His first donation was back in 6th grade when he raised US$100. When asked why he continues to support Movember each year he said, “Having known Mr. Plotz for many years, and the many cases of prostate cancer that my family has experienced, every year I feel like even the smallest donations to the fund helps the lives of others.”
This year, 7th grader Maram A. was a first time participant. “I decided to donate because I read the website and really liked what they stood for. My uncle passed away from cancer and I wanted to help. After I donated, I was speaking to my father about it, and he thought it was a great idea and cause and told me to donate more, which I did!”
Secret Santa
The second event the HIS community took part in this year was the 7th annual edition of Secret Santa. The idea originated with trying to spread a little bit of holiday joy, help teach empathy, and to bring cheer to all our students, staff and community.
Looking for a charity to support, we wanted to find an organization that promoted education and were introduced to Wheels to Africa, an “organization whose principal purpose is to collect bicycles for needy communities in Africa… to serve as an educational and volunteer platform for developing tomorrow’s leaders… and to perpetuate a ‘pass it on’ commitment to aid those who are less fortunate.” When checking with our South African staff members about the group, it seemed to be a perfect fit!
This year, Secret Santas were sold to all ages across the school—from 2-year-olds all the way to the 12th grade. In total, over 2,500 Secret Santas were distributed to enthusiastic students and teachers (that’s average of more than 2 per person!).
Students who participated in the event wrote messages and sent joy across our entire school recognizing things others did, or just saying a kind word.
One student in Lower School felt a particularly close connection to the cause, buying multiple Secret Santas and distributing them to friends and classmates. When asked why, she related she wanted to share the qualities of kindness and generosity. Office staff, bus monitors, and ayi's whose contributions often go unnoticed were also recognized by fellow staff members and students.
Tenth grader Rhema H., who first participated in Secret Santa when in 2nd grade, said she first started sending them because “I just liked candy canes. Later, as I started understanding the meaning behind them more, it became a great way to share the Christmas spirit. After all, who doesn’t like to get a nice surprise?”
In total, the Secret Santas raised RMB10,000 for Wheels to Africa.