In many ways, the Thomas family are unique at ISKL, with four sons, all of whom are alumni or slated to become alumni soon. Natives of the United States, they are like many global families, having never lived as a family in their home country but calling a variety of Southeast Asian countries home. For Dave and Cathy, ISKL has been the “game changer” for their time in Kuala Lumpur.
“At ISKL, our sons have learned to be resilient, compassionate, and open-minded. They have learned to respect multiple perspectives, be good sportsmen, and enjoy the unique opportunity to make lasting memories in beautiful Malaysia,” notes Cathy.
The Thomas family are also committed to community service and understand well the impact that philanthropy in its many forms can have on organizations and people. They are committed to many charitable organizations, including Dignity for
Children here in KL and Gawad Kalinga Enchanted Farm in the Philippines, an organization which has successfully positioned Social Entrepreneurship to help many. It was their love of ISKL that led them to consider, as a family, a gift to support the school’s capital campaign.
“Our family’s decision to make a gift in support of the Ampang Hilir campus campaign was one which we considered carefully, and together. Many say that our school is a “rich” one, and does not really need support from people like us,” said Cathy. “Certainly there is truth in the statement that ISKL is richly blessed and has much compared to many schools in our region. As a family, we have many philanthropic interests. We understand that ISKL is a nonprofit school that works hard to earn its resources and spends them prudently. With the board’s vision of building one of the region’s finest campuses, we are happy to donate to the “We Build People” campaign for the impact our contribution will have now and hopefully for the example it will set for our sons, who will all four soon be alumni.” says Dave.
“Our pleasure in donating to the campaign also comes from imagining that we might play even the smallest part in helping tomorrow’s students experience the thrill of accomplishment, whether it be in academics, the arts, or sports,” says Cathy.
Each member of the Thomas family holds true to the statement that “you only get to be a kid once.”
It is their family’s hope that this campaign will open doors for students now and in the future and that more families will join them in making a gift.
