We are delighted to share a blog written by Tina Abu Fares, a student at The Ahliyyah School for Girls and The Bishop’s for Boys who is part of a team delivering a Global Goals project for the 2018-19 Global Goals Competition.
Their project is among over 620 social action projects currently running as part of the GSL movement and we are excited to be supporting them to design and lead positive social change in their community.
This experience is eye-opening, mind-alerting experience, to be able to make change in my society at this age, and with such noble and relatable goals for our world’s current conditions!
Project Summary
In this project, we are working in terms of gathering various books, and the general conditions of an adequate environment and space; in which the library will be built or renovated.
We aim to specifically enhance quality education in schools, and proper learning environments, thus raising the living standards of society.
There are many local and global organizations doing similar projects. However, the projects led by the ASGBSA community service team are all modified and created to fit our school, and mostly student- based, in terms of planning and creating the project.
We came by this ideas for the project, as we passionately believe in our school community, that various sources of knowledge shape strong, open-minded, and aware students.
Thus, the project ensures quality education, and promotes lifelong opportunities and skills, when children value the blessing of reliable sources of knowledge like books, which are a window to many fields of learning like vocabulary, cultures, languages, writing techniques, science, facts, and opinions. Open minded students can also be developed through knowledge and education.
Our Journey
For us, the biggest challenge may be creating the actual shelves of the libraries, as it requires major funding and logistics that we hope to plan and easily overcome. We brainstorm ideas regarding the sources of the books, required amount, roofs of library, and the financial support as well.
A draft poster design was drawn for announcing our project for spreading the news of book donations.
We also assembled four boxes for book donations, and distributed them across the MYP building. During homeroom time, we announce our project on the classes and encourage them to donate books to support us!
In order to encourage our students to write and publish their creative writings, our school is ready to also publish any book written by our students, after it is edited; to be put in the libraries as well.
Therefore, we developed technical skills, communication and presentation skills, critical thinking, and reflection skills throughout the progress, as well as creativity.
The Next Chapter
We aim to begin visiting the schools, painting, and working on the physical by the end of March. Therefore, within one month we expect to have collected the funds from events, purchased all the needed materials, and counted the gathered books at last. We began several fundraising events such as bake sales.
We also drafted a list of all the required materials for the project, specifically the building of a new library from the start in the public schools – such as paint, wood for shelves, books etc. As part of further advancing our work for the competition, one of the member’s role was to record the process of work, step by step by taking pictures and writing a report; making sure it is up to date and ready by the deadline as evidence of our work.
Moreover, requesting financial sponsorship from relevant parties locally is another important mission, in order to build the libraries and shelves. Other risks may be clearer as we get into more detailed planning and deeper action.
The 2018-19 GSL Global Goals Competition is now open and runs until June 2019. If you belong to one of the 700+ teams of students currently delivering a social action project as part of the competition we would love to hear from you and feature your blog and project photos on our website to inspire others.
