Service Learning at the International School of Brussels

Common Ground: an outreach, al fresco buffet, hosted at “the Anker” by one of ISB’s service learning groups (photo: ISB).

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Developing international citizens is an integral part of the International School of Brussels’ (ISB) Common Ground Curriculum. We do this through the subjects and skills we teach, clubs we run, immersion in a diverse student population, and through Service Learning, part of the CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) Program. International citizens understand that our world is made up of many different cultures, each of which has its own perspective on the world. They endeavor to understand these perspectives, and as a result become empathetic to the opinions and needs of others.

Service Learning is one of the vehicles we use to build this understanding in our students. In the high school, students are divided into vertically aligned advisory groups of up to 14 students. Each group develops a project that is usually led by two or three students under the guidance of their advisor, and all the other students in the group participate.

Children in need

As told by Hadar Tanne, Grade 11:

“When we were first told we needed to execute an advisory service learning project, we brainstormed for ideas. It took us a while to come up with the specifics, but we came to a unanimous decision: we wanted to work with children. After speaking to volunteers of a local volunteer organization, we discovered a local children’s shelter. We researched the shelter, and made contact with its coordinators.

“The shelter houses approximately 15 children between the ages of three and 10, and is unique: the children are not orphans, but are there because they cannot live with their families full-time, for various reasons.

“The children crave the attention and affection of others, and I saw this for myself during my visit; their friendliness and immediate affection touched us all. We stayed longer than anticipated, and the visit made me determined to organize the best experience I can for them.

“We have decided on two future visits: one, a day of activities, sports and arts and crafts; and a second, a party of sorts featuring games and food. Hopefully we will leave the children with souvenirs, and we hope we will give them a little of what they need and want so desperately: simple, unadulterated warmth and affection. I am absolutely sure that these events will prove as much fun for us in the advisory as for the children!”

Helping the elderly and asylum-seekers

As told by Moral Tamir, Grade 11:

“I came to ISB in Grade 11, and was assigned to something called a service learning project. CAS/Service Learning is not a program every school offers, and it is quite overwhelming when entering that world for the first time.

“Our advisory group decided that for our project we would help out at a place called “the Anker.” Our understanding was that the Anker was a place where elderly people can go to eat a warm meal and socialize with others. Over time, the Anker has taken in an additional group: asylum seekers. Since we are unable to help refugees in a legal context, we go there and help with the little things such as cooking, cleaning, and entertaining, so that the people arriving there can perhaps forget their troubles for a little while and just enjoy a moment without any pressure—a little moment of peace.

“At the end our first session at the Anker we were all amazed to see how little some people have, people living ‘next door’ to us, who literally have no food or shelter and are grateful for anything you have to offer, even if it is a piece of clothing, or just a smile and a good word.

“I believe it is extremely important that people like us who have everything in life, leave our ‘bubble’ and look left and right to see others who are struggling. We realized that showing we care is something they will cherish. They are fighting for a better life, but they need help. Although our help is not going to change their lives, it will fill their stomach and put a smile on their faces; for us, that is ‘mission accomplished.’”

Working with refugee children

As told by Jeanne Prune Moerenhout, Grade 12:

“For our project we have been working with the children of refugees; this was our first visit to their new home. On arriving we were warmly welcomed and started drawing with the material we brought for them; it was very sweet. We then hung the drawing, some balloons and some Christmas decorations. It was an activity the children enjoyed, and after this we distributed some cookies, cake, and juice to everybody; then Santa came in, and everyone received a gift. They were so happy! It was amazing.

“Finally we put on some Christmas music, which rapidly turned into dance music, and everyone started dancing. Some of the children were very good!

“This experience taught me a lot more than I thought it would. We received an amazing welcome, and the children were so friendly. They live happily with very few material possessions. We live in such a materialistic world that we have become fearful and unhappy, and we give too much credit to unimportant things.

“These children have taught me that it does not matter where you are from or what clothes you wear, but rather who you are. This experience is one everyone should try; we all need it to learn about ourselves.”

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