At The International School Yangon (ISY), service-learning bridges classroom knowledge with real-world involvement with the community. Through our many service learning initiatives, ISY students are given hands-on opportunities to develop social responsibility and leadership while making a tangible impact.
A powerful example of this is a student-led health initiative in which the ISY community collaborates to promote student health and well-being for the children of our partner organizations. This initiative highlights service-learning in action.
From Learning to Impact: Addressing Community Health Needs
Going beyond classroom learning, ISY students identified critical health challenges faced by two of ISY’s partner organizations:
The Care to the Least Centre (CLC): an orphanage in Yangon
Kalitaw School: a rural school north of Yangon
These two organizations are part of an ISY initiative called the “Chinthe Fund.” Through this initiative, ISY has built meaningful partnerships grounded in mutual learning, respect, and shared purpose. This ongoing collaboration deepens our students’ understanding of the world and themselves while honoring the knowledge, experiences, and strengths of the communities we are connected with.
During visits to these organizations, ISY students and faculty engaged with the community to understand their most pressing needs. Students listened carefully to the voices of caregivers and children, gaining an understanding of these needs. For example, caregivers at CLC spoke about their challenges in accessing medical treatment for common illnesses, while Kalitaw teachers highlighted poor nutrition affecting attendance and student focus. During multiple visits, the health-related challenges that children at the CLC and Kalitaw School faced, including malnutrition, skin infections, and, in one case, severe hearing loss, became more evident.
Seeing these issues up close deepened ISY learners' sense of compassion, aligning with the ISY mission to be a community of compassionate global citizens. This experience inspired them to plan during dedicated service learning time in school to take meaningful action. Working alongside faculty supervisors and healthcare professionals, the students developed a sustainable health program focused on improving the wellbeing of the children at the CLC and Kalitaw School.
The Student-Led Health Initiative: Collaboration in Action
Under the guidance of ISY’s Director, Dr. Gregory Hedger, and the ISY Health Clinic, ISY students have developed and led a multi-faceted health program aimed at improving child wellbeing. In partnership with AA Pharmaceuticals, a local pharmaceutical company in Myanmar, they gained access to essential vitamins, medication, and dietary supplements to help combat malnutrition.
Key components of the initiative include:
Regular Health Checkups: Bi-monthly medical assessments were established at the ISY Medical Clinic to monitor and respond to the health and wellbeing of the children at the CLC and Kalitaw School. These clinics are organized by the students with support from the clinic staff. The ISY Chinthe Fund provides transportation and meals while on campus.
Sustainable Healthcare Access: Long-term solutions have been implemented for the continued wellbeing of the children in cooperation with caregivers and local stakeholders. This includes providing vitamins and immunizations during the clinics.
Through this initiative, ISY students have taken on leadership roles and collaborated with others to turn ideas into meaningful action. Their work alongside AA Pharmaceuticals and the ISY Health Clinic strengthened the program’s reach and sustainability, demonstrating the power of teamwork in creating lasting change.
Measurable Change: Healthier Children, Empowered Students
The initiative’s impact so far has been significant; students have recorded and observed:
Improved Nutrition: Children at the CLC and Kalitaw School gained an average of 1.5 to 2 kilograms.
Reduced Infections: A noticeable decline in skin ailments improved comfort and well-being.
Increased Energy and Engagement: With better health, the CLC and Kalitaw School children have become more active in learning and play.
Beyond these measurable outcomes, ISY students also developed a deeper understanding of the importance of health, inequality, and partnership. Through their reflections, many students expressed a growing awareness of how health disparities affect communities differently and the role they can play in addressing these challenges. They spoke about the power of working together both within their teams and with community partners and how collaboration can lead to meaningful change. These insights not only deepened their empathy but also inspired a sense of responsibility and motivation to take further action.
“It’s such a good feeling to see how much happier and healthier the kids at CLC and Kalitaw are now,” shared one ISY student leader.
Another student shared, “Now we see them smiling, laughing, and just enjoying life like every other child. It makes us feel good to give back and to see how awesome the changes are - not just for them but for everyone around them.”
A Model for Future Service-Learning Initiatives
This health initiative exemplifies the power of student-driven service-learning, reinforcing ISY’s commitment to developing compassionate global citizens. By merging learning with hands-on and real-world change, ISY students gain invaluable skills in collaboration, resilience, and leadership, qualities that will empower them throughout their lives.
Importantly, this project is not just about giving but about building relationships grounded in respect and listening. Through mutual engagement and reflection, students and community members co-created solutions, making the initiative not just effective but sustainable and truly meaningful.
Through service, ISY is shaping future leaders who are equipped to make a difference.
Sandy Sheppard is the Elementary Principal at the International School Yangon in Myanmar.
