ISKL Giving Tuesday, The International School of Kuala Lumpur

ISKL Giving Tuesday

ISKL nurtures and practices a culture of care and empathy to influence our learners to support and evaluate different perspectives while considering the impact of their actions on those around them. Our long-standing commitment to the community and the world has been embedded into the school’s curriculum and traditions.

From an inclusive educational support system to involvement with after school activities or weekly service learning projects, students from Early Childhood through High School are constantly inspired to give back through organizing fundraising campaigns, advocating for causes, or participating in random acts of kindness.

As a nonprofit, parent-owned school whose only shareholders are our students, and to meet ISKL’s vision of caring for others and creating a better world, on the last Tuesday of November, we embarked on our second GivingTuesday initiative. On this day, numerous acts of altruism and philanthropy have had a ripple effect and created more acts of giving to impact those within our local communities and beyond positively.

What is GivingTuesday?

GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement or day of giving where people and organizations take the opportunity to give back to their communities and the world. It provides a platform for nonprofits to raise more money for charitable causes than they would on an average day of giving and encourages people to give back in whatever way they can.
Since this global initiative started in 2012, this collective idea of giving has gained traction with a large following, unleashing various charitable efforts, from organizing local food drives to making donations to support initiatives worldwide.

There are many ways to give, be it through supporting people in need, performing random acts of kindness, volunteering, making donations, or inspiring others to take action for a better world in our ISKL community and beyond.

Introducing Five Ways to Give

Give Your Time or Expertise

Volunteer with a group or organization you feel passionate about or lend your talents to a nonprofit that needs your help.

Use Your Voice Or Advocate

Spread awareness about a cause or issue important to you. Encourage your friends and family to give back.

Show Kindness

Share kindness, generosity, and messages of hope. Compliment someone, give positive feedback or express your gratitude by text or a thank you note to a friend, colleague, or family member.

Donate Money

Create a fundraising page or donate money to a cause you feel passionate about.

Give Kindness Together

Whether expressing compassion with your colleagues, family, or friends, giving together collectively as a group has more of an impact than giving individually.

Here’s how some members of our ISKL community are already giving:

“Aside from volunteering for the PAC Shack and Ifest, I'm spreading awareness to government schools about ISKL's Pathways scholarship programs. Arts and culture students from a local government school will visit during IFest, which will be a fantastic opportunity for these students and their teachers to see the ISKL campus, hear about Pretyba's experiences, and mingle with students of similar ages.”

“Being an executive of Girl Talk since my junior year has fulfilled my aspirations of integrating women in different grade levels in hopes of empowering and advocating for women’s rights. This club is important to me because it sheds light on the hardship women face globally, bringing a great amount of awareness to these issues to our school.”

“I give kindness in these few ways. I give hugs when you're sad to make you happy. I help to open the door. I make friends with the new kid in school and I share my toys.”

“There were so many acts of kindness during the Elementary School (ES) Kindness Week organized by the ES School Counselors; from random notes left on Middle School (MS) lockers, to teachers and friends being given notes of kindness, and not to forget the wonderful Kindness Tree that is ROARING with kindness.”

"The PTA strives to enrich the ISKL experience for the entire school community. Our children's education is enhanced through a collaborative relationship with the school, and part of how we do this is through the Inspiration Fund. Projects endowed by the Fund, such as the ES Rooftop Playground, complement the ISKL curriculum and facilitate a learning experience that is both inspirational and encourages student excellence. We are committed to working together with ISKL so that our children can benefit from a well-rounded education that goes beyond the classroom and prepares them to succeed as spirited global citizens."

ISKL Staff and Faculty raised RM16,700 in 2021, which went towards the youth volunteering platform Hunger Hurt’s COVID Aid Project to provide grocery and baby aid to 100 underprivileged families for a month. In addition, ISKL has also contributed to Hunger Hurt’s One-Meal Project by supporting two B40 businesses that provide 400 meals to disadvantaged families.

“During the 2021 lockdown, we created a 'Pop a Kind Message' online form where students were able to send messages to each other spreading goodwill and gratitude. We all deserve to be recognized, even if we might not think so ourselves. There's always someone out there who thinks you're a superstar!"

“The year I arrived at ISKL, I lost my Mother, and being so far away from home was difficult. The flowers and card from the Faculty Association that I received were much appreciated. Just that small act of kindness made me feel cared for, understood, and supported.”

Giving Tuesday: Inspire Grants in Action

You, our panthers, can join us in this global day of giving where you can make a difference.