We are delighted to share a blog written by Emil Wahhab, a student at Ahliyyah School for Girls and Bishop School 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 has been an eye-opening one, and certainly beneficial in many aspects.
Project Overview
Our goal in the Time Bank project is to spread the passion, wisdom and, expertise of all individuals in the school community. Also to help in improving and building our schools. Time banking was designed by Edgar Cahn to encourage the types of giving and receiving that will help build our school community.
After experiencing a lot of pressure at school regarding certain subjects or needed skills, and finding no one to turn to other than the teachers, we were encouraged to bring this sort of project to our school. The Time Bank project is all about providing chances and creating unique opportunities for individuals to better themselves in any aspect they want or need.
We are planning on continuing this work but also expanding it to other sections of the school such as the primary years and IB students. We would also spread our work and give assemblies at other schools to introduce them to TimeBanking and aid them in setting up a banking system at their school.
Our Journey
There are many skills we gained as a result of working on TimeBank, such as leadership skills, communication and organization skills. We managed clients of all ages with a variety of interests until we connected them in a way so that each individual benefits and gains new skills. We were leading a new movement at school, being responsible for a project that impacted a huge amount of people.
We learned how all these skills we have and underestimate are truly something people seek, and it can help others. For example, the ability to manage your time, write speeches, debate, dealing with stress and many other things. We found new ways to apply our capabilities for a greater good.
During this journey we faced challenges. Primarily is the huge influx of students and clients. As a team, it was overwhelming connecting all these clients together and organizing every action. By setting up sign up sheets and finding support team members who would aid us in finishing all actions we were able to overcome this obstacle.
The Next Chapter
Based on our TimeBank Experience we found that collaboration between students or between a community is the key to development and growth. We use one’s strength to enhance another’s weakness, and in that way, society is connected together as one powerful unit, able to achieve goals, and thrive.
We hope to inspire people all around the world to take an initiative, help in any way they can. As one we can change the world, create a better and safer environment for everyone, as well as achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It may seem difficult, you may wonder how one action or one campaign you might do would cause a change, well the answer is quite simple it is difficult, and one campaign will not change the world, but the hope and inspiration that spreads like a wildfire in communities as a result of that campaign is what will change the world.
OUR choices, OUR initiatives are like dominos, each person inspiring the next, each action fueling another, until we do reach a new world, one action at a time.
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.
