Over five days, from March 11 – 15, 2024, five groups of Grade 1 students, armed with toys and handwritten messages, embarked on an expedition of learning and kindness by visiting the nonprofit social organization Greater Action in Bandar Baru Ampang.
The field trip began with the students meeting Greater Action’s founder, Julie Das. Das explained how the nonprofit came about, what a refugee was, and how Greater Action supported and empowered refugee women by teaching them skills such as upcycling old fabric into new items to sell, tailoring, and food catering services.
Grade 1 teacher Monica Tindall, who took her class to Greater Action, shares, “This was a unique field trip that allowed our students to learn about Greater Action’s inspiring work with refugees and how they are closing the fashion loop through the upcycling of preloved fabrics.” Explaining the connection with the Grade 1 Family Stories unit and the use of artifacts, she adds, “The students brought one toy from home in good condition, not something from a store. Their idea was to donate to the center with a letter and story about the toy they brought.”
The G1 students met with some refugees in person, read a story, and collaborated to make a class quilt with fabric pens on old bed sheet squares. Each student drew a picture on the squares of something that made them feel safe, which the refugee ladies sewed together.
Guided by their teachers and supported by their parents, the Grade 1 students took the lead in contributing their preloved, but in excellent condition, toys. They carefully selected each toy, prepared them for donation, and crafted heartfelt messages about the toys they were giving away. Each message conveyed simple but meaningful sentiments such as: “I hope you can remember your home” and “The teddy bear will keep you safe while you sleep.” After presenting their toy donation and reading the letter to go with it, they reflected on their visit and what had impacted them, demonstrating their understanding of the importance of their actions. Over the March break, the toys were given to the children in the refugee families, and they, in turn, made a special thank-you video for ISKL students.
This process taught our first graders about recycling, environmental responsibility, and entrepreneurship by showing them how their efforts could bring joy to others. Our students learned valuable lessons about generosity, gratitude, and the power of community. They witnessed how their small acts of kindness could bring immense happiness to others—well done to our Grade 1 students for inspiring others to look for ways, big or small, to make a difference in their communities.
