ISY Service Learning
Scoring Another Goal with Build For Change
By using their creativity and problem-solving skills, the service learning group Build For Change (B4C) hit another milestone! This time, the team collaborated with Community Sports to support one of our partner organizations.
Earlier this year, Community Sports wanted to make soccer goals to donate to the Kalitaw School children. The B4C team was approached and by speaking to the teachers at Kalitaw, they determined the authentic need. The members learned that the present bamboo goalposts weren’t strong enough, nor did they last long. The B4C team designed the goalposts and set about building them. The first version was made of plastic, but it was not strong enough. The group found some unwanted steel pipe and used it to create stronger goals. The B4C students were excited to be working on a STEM project.
To help with the funding, Community Sports arranged mini-competitions, while Build For Change hosted bake sales. Finally, after weeks of hard work and some technical help from an outside workshop, the goalposts were ready! The two service learning groups plan to deliver the goals to the Kalitaw School soon, and they can’t wait to see the children’s reactions!
It is important to remember the process of learning and trial and error behind the scenes. Aye Wint Me (grade 11), the student leader of B4C, reflects that this project could have been improved with better research and more consultation with the Kalitaw School to better understand their needs. She also advises student leaders to share the workload with others, since there will always be people who want to help. Overall, she feels “proud that everyone came together to work on this project.” ISY’s Service Learning Coordinator, Mr. Sturmey, adds that “this is an excellent example of service learning groups collaborating and I want to encourage more to do so!”
The Chinthes can all agree that from learning about this project, they have further understood the importance of listening and collaborating with others. They are all excited to see what new goals B4C is going to score in the future!
By: Eaindray Tha (grade 9)
The International School Yangon
20 Shwe Taungyar Street
Bahan Township
Yangon, Myanmar
+95 (0) 9 880 441 040