ISC-Erbil Students Participate in Community Outreach Event
On Thursday, September 23, 2010, 462 students in grades 5 through 10 from the International School of Choueifat-Erbil participated in the school’s first community outreach event of the academic year. ISC-Erbil’s Social Responsibility Department, a branch within the school’s Student Life Organization (SLO™), coordinated the event which involved a day at a circus for ISC-Erbil students and local children of martyrs, including those attending Sarwaran International School.
ISC-Erbil students not only paid for their own entrance into the circus, but they also covered the cost of the 299 Sarwaran International School students and 55 local orphans invited on the trip, many of which had never been to a circus. “I would do it again, just to see the smiles on my guests’ face,” said an ISC-Erbil student. “The students’ gesture and unprecedented support surprised everyone. The guests were overwhelmed by the students’ generous support,” said ISC-Erbil Student Life Coordinator, Ms. Rawiya Mahmoud.
The ISC-Erbil students, along with their excited guests, were entertained by acrobats, clowns, circus cats, and a magician. Some of the students even took the stage to display their talent along with the performers. “It made me feel so humble to be in a position to help. Choueifat helps us experience ‘regular reality checks,’” said Mazin Barzani, a Grade 9 student at ISC-Erbil.
Through SLO™, which oversees community service projects, ISC-Erbil students are provided the resources and outlet to take part in academic and extracurricular activities that help shape them into strong leaders who have an understanding of social responsibility. As such, the school has several community outreach events scheduled for the year, which include adopting an orphanage, teaching at a nearby rural school, visiting hospitals, and donating artwork. ISC-Erbil, like all SABIS® schools, is developing responsible, world-class citizens who have a well-balanced foundation of knowledge and experiences and a remarkable sense of compassion and consideration for others.
ISC-Erbil currently serves close to 1,400 students in K-10 and is one of two private schools managed by SABIS® in Kurdistan. Sarwaran International School, which serves children of martyrs, is one of three SABIS® Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects in Kurdistan. ISC-Erbil and Sarwaran International School contribute to raising the standard of education and rebuilding the nation by providing a solid foundation of knowledge, skills, and experiences.
SLO™ love thy neighbor…
Recently, the International School of Choueifat-Erbil students demonstrated that they understand their civic role and responsibility. The ISC-Erbil Student Life Organization Social Responsibility department initiated a food drive. The goal was to collect food items so that the disadvantaged families living the neighboring and nearby villages could celebrate Eid. Eid is a festive occasion, when people visit one another. Families are very conscious about offering food to guests.
A letter went home requesting the parents to send non perishable and canned food items and blankets, to help the neighbors celebrate this joyous occasion. The response was absolutely overwhelming.
SLO collected hundreds of cans, blankets and tons of sugar, rice and flour. The generosity and urge to share and serve the community was heartening. The students accompanied by the SLC and middle school AQC distributed the items in 3 villages and also handed out food to a church and a mosque. A total of 640 units of food and other items were distributed to 640 families.
The students were totally taken aback by the profuse gratitude from the families. “I did not realize how much this gesture means to them”, said Naz a 10th Grade student. “I am Glad I was able to help” said another student. The families too showered the students with thanks and heartfelt gratitude. Abdul Rahman, a recipient of the food said,“ It is good to know that schools like Choueifat go beyond education and instill a sense of humanity and a sense of social responsibility in the students. We should have more schools like this.”
Besides the food, many families donated large amounts of money. This money will go towards purchasing educational resources for a school in ‘Bragh’ a neighboring village. The students hope to ‘adopt’ the school.
