BIS community service and charitable support

Today, we are holding a non-uniform day for the Tet Shoesboxes Project, and asking students in Primary to bring in an item of toiletries such as soap or a small towel, while Secondary students are each donating 30,000 VND which will be spent on purchasing similar items. All the items will be used to create Tet gift boxes for children in an orphanage in Nam Dinh. 

At BIS Hanoi, active community service and charitable support have a high priority in terms of educating our students to become responsible global citizens. We recognise that we are very fortunate to live comfortable, even privileged lives, but with that privilege comes responsibility. 

In last term’s Principal’s Assembly, we focused on the charity and community support which students, staff and parents have undertaken to support those less fortunate than ourselves. From a Toy Sale held by Year 1 students, to a soap drive, poppy day appeal, eco-brick creation, book collection and fundraising for the victims of the flooding in Central Vietnam, our school community has shown itself ready and willing to do what it can to help others. In our fundraising in Term 1 alone, over 133 million VND was raised which is already being used to support flood victims in central Vietnam, Operation Smile, and other local charities. 

A special mention must also be made for our fantastic Friends of BIS group who cleaned, ironed and stitched over 100 items of school uniform from our lost property cupboard. These items have now been donated to  Son Thanh Primary School in Quang Tri Province, where they were gratefully received by children and families. Friends of BIS are also coordinating today’s Tet box appeal.

In the Sixth Form, as part of their International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, our students are required to take part in a range of experiences and at least on project. These ‘Creativity, Activity, Service’ projects have to be real and purposeful, with a significant outcome. They generally involve a good degree of thoughtful consideration and planning, before being completed.   

One such example of this is the recently held charity art exhibition – LA FUSION – organised by Phuong Hoang and Phuong Linh in Year 12. Working as part of a group of 6, they organised and led a series of art workshops. The art works produced were then sold and the funds raised donated to three charities. In total, they raised 250 million VND, a remarkable achievement. Another fantastic initiative was created by Bao in Year 12. He worked with three fellow pianists to organise and perform in a concert at Hanoi Opera House, to raise money for bamboo planting, which has a positive impact on the environment. Through donations, they were able to raise 112 million VND for this worthy cause.  

I am immensely proud of our school community’s focus on charitable work, and the practical support we are able to provide to others.