30 Minutes Is All It Takes

What does 30 minutes mean to you? And what can be achieved in this small nugget of time? How about thinking about your impact on the world in just 30 minutes? This is precisely the reasoning behind ISKL's 30 Minutes A Month initiative, where community members are encouraged to commit to just '30 minutes a month' to a cause that resonates with and inspires them. It may seem like a small step, yet the ripple effect can be extraordinary, so a meaningful half-hour can be invaluable in shaping the future. Think of this as a small slice of the day sparking imagination, giving cause to inspire individuals, and having the possibility to ignite conversations. Indeed, building momentum for any worthwhile cause is reason enough to participate in 30 Minutes a Month.

With the ethos of "no one can do everything, yet everyone can do something," ISKL has invited everyone to get involved and help make a difference. The sense of empowerment that comes from making a difference, no matter how small, is a key aspect of this initiative.

Established as a 'micro-volunteering program,' the 30 Minutes a Month initiative has proved to be a window of opportunity for ISKL community members to have a springboard to share their small acts and achievements with a broader audience to raise awareness. Aligned with our school values, getting involved is a simple act that increases engagement to help inspire global citizenship that, in turn, helps create a better world. The School-wide Learning Results (SLRs) are also exemplified to encourage students to live ethically, collaborate constructively, and think critically and to support the values surrounding this initiative; a monthly organized activity is held for students, staff, faculty, alumni, and parents to unite and make minutes matter. This sense of unity and shared purpose within the ISKL community is a powerful motivator for participation.

The first semester of the 2024-2025 academic year began in August 2024 with ISKL's Service and Sustainability Awareness Fair, which highlighted the importance of nurturing the impact that both local and global world challenges can have. Here, students developed an understanding of their personal impact on the environment and how individual efforts can contribute to the broader community's needs by simply engaging in service-based clubs and activities. Supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the partnerships showcased at the Fair highlighted their dedicated causes in an attempt to provide varied and meaningful connections with students.

Our High School students are maturing adults eagerly anticipating their futures beyond the realms of school life. The Service and Sustainability Youth Summit, held in September 2024, was based on the idea that like-minded, altruistic secondary schools in the greater Kuala Lumpur area unite in shared activities that delve into the depths of service and sustainability. Students explored how their futures could be aligned with that of others and how we can collectively, as a community, plan for a sustainable future. It was highlighted that the ease of meeting and sharing can create a movement of action, which is only highlighted by the exchange of ideas, passions, talents, interests, and skills.

With Cancer Awareness Month falling in October 2024, a natural pathway for ISKL's 30 Minutes a Month was revealed to support the cause and promote well-being awareness. Cancer affects us all, each with our own story. ISKL families showed their commitment to the cause by supporting all the fun sporting activities throughout the month. These included the Middle School's Run for Cancer event, where the whole MS community was invited to show their support, raise awareness, and make a difference by running around the school's Zurich Field.

Retaining a sporting theme, ISKL hosted the venue for the 24-Hour Race in November 2024, an incredible initiative in the global fight against slavery. The race, Running to Stop The Traffik (RTSTT), was a platform that connected youths in cities worldwide to become change-makers. Their voices are heard and loud enough to communicate information, inspire others, and contribute to the fundamental cause - all aiming to eradicate modern-day slavery.

November was also a month targeted to heighten the recycling act within the ISKL community. Members were encouraged to positively impact the environment to support service and sustainability at home and within school.

December 3, 2024, was one day in the ISKL calendar to celebrate Giving Tuesday at the Community Service Partners Fundraising Fair. The day perfectly aligned with the 30 Minute a Month initiative, proving small efforts can make a difference. Simple acts of kindness and generosity are integral in giving back to local communities and demonstrating the definitive value of ISKL and its motivation to reinforce the Panther spirit consistently. Throughout the month, 100% of funds raised online were donated to the ISKL Pathways Scholarship.

Visit the 30 Minutes A Month website to discover what may appeal to you and get inspired by reading about our active ISKL community, which incorporates community service into its daily lives. A sneak peek includes:

If the results of our first semester are anything to go by, we are making huge strides in proving that it is the minutes that matter, not the hours, and in the words of the artist Vincent Van Gogh, "Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together."

If you have participated in one of our 30-minute-a-month activities and would like to share your experience, or if you have undertaken your own 'small steps, big difference' initiative, we would love to hear from you. Please email servicelearning@iskl.edu.my.