Archive for April, 2011
Rinjani For Earth Day
The group trekked for over 25 hours through muddy tropical forest and along steep rocky ridges, striving to push on despite strong gusts of wind and monsoon rain. Once at the summit, the first rays of morning sun appeared over the horizon and the group was treated to a breathtaking view of Sumbawa, Bali, Lombok and Rinjani’s lake below. In awe of the majestic view from their vantage point, the group’s long journey all felt worthwhile.
On Sunday night, the group returned to Bali, exhausted, but with the satisfaction of having conquered Rinjani together, in an experience they will never forget.
Water for life
On April 20th the Water for life group from Bali International School traveled to the village of Ban, located in East Bali at the foothills the sacred Mt. Agung. The trip was a culmination of a number of months of fund raising and involved students contributing to the construction of cubing, the local term for an in-ground concrete water tank. Working with the East Bali Poverty Project, students spent a day moving dirt, mixing cement and lining the walls of the cubang with concrete. In the words of one of the students, “It was hard but rewarding work”.
Water for Life is a project team that runs as a part of the school’s Global Citizenship Programme, which sees students initiate and then lead various service learning activities. The Water For Life group aimed to assist the areas of Bali that receive limited amounts of rainfall. Aside from raising awareness about the plight of people in these impoverished areas, the students also raised funds for the construction of cubangs to collect and store water. The group managed to organize school-based events and activities to raise Rp.5,036,000.
The group also approached some local businesses for sponsorship to assist them in their goal of assisting the people of Ban. Grade & student Bruce Smith said that their efforts would not have been possible if not for the support form the BIS community. “We would like to thank everyone who supported this cause, particularly our sponsors Surfer Girl, Amanusa Resort Bali and CV. Sinar Mutiara Bali for their generous donations.
The Water For Life members now look forward to next year, where they aim to seek new students to join them in their efforts of spreading awareness and supporting those places in Bali that have limited access to water, while further increasing their knowledge of issues with Bali’s water supplies.
GCP Flexi Day
Today was GCP Flexi day, a day that saw all MYP students participate in simulations linked to the issue of inequality. These activities were planned and led by BIS students. Here are the objectives of the activities:
Fishing for the Future (led by Maya & Julia of Gr 11)
Aim – Through a fishing simulation, students model several consecutive seasons of a fishery and explore how technology, population growth, and sustainable practices impact fish catch and fisheries management.
Transport (led by Ryan & Marcus of Gr 10) – Big Field
Aim – To understand how the inequities of transport infrastructure can affect economic development
Global Education Jeopardy (Mitchell, Matthew, Lachlan, Sam of Gr 8 & 9)
Aim – To gain knowledge of global issues, as well as understand how governments can influence development.
An unequal Tower (led by Natalia & Shanandra of Gr 11)
Aim – Through an engineering simulation, students will gain an insight into how the access to resources can influence developmental success.
It was great to see the students showing leadership, collaborating, taking initiative and having fun while exploring global issues. A big thank you to the students listed above who spent a lot of time in preparing and then leading the activities. I should also thank them for presenting to the high school on the GIN conference that they attended during the recent term break. Thanks guys!
Habitat build
Here is a report on the BIS Habitat For Humanity Project Build held during the recent term break from Grade 11 student Shanandra Suyanto
12 BIS students from grade 10-12 in the Habitat For Humanity group had the opportunity to volunteer and help build simple and decent home on the first weekend of the term 3 breaks, 1st-3rd of April with ibu Linda and Mr Smith as our supervisors and the local coordinator Claretta from “Habitat for Humanity” organization.
We used funds that we have raised for building materials and to build the foundation of a house for Nengah Suandra and Luh Nuriani in Pancasari area near Gitgit village. At the moment Nengah lives in a small room with his two children at his brother’s house. Habitat for Humanity believes that simple, decent shelter is a basic human right and helps break the cycle of poverty.
We learned new skills such as bending wires and mixing cement and we were having a pleasurable weekend and practicing the IB student’s profiles in a real life. Although we had to start working at 8 am to 4 pm but it was fun and we practiced to be more caring and risk-taking and overall we had a splendid weekend. Join our Habitat For Humanity group to be able to experience this!
Scholarships to visit the arctic
Students on Ice is an educational, not-for-profit, Canadian organization, providing youth from around the world with ship-based educational adventures to the Arctic and Antarctica. Their mandate is to educate and inspire the next generation of polar scientists, researchers, and environmental leaders – and in doing so, help to provide them with a greater understanding and respect for the planet. This organisation currently has fully paid scholarship to join their upcoming summer expedition. In addition, EARCOS (East Asia Regional Council of Schools) will provide a return economy air ticket up to $US1,700 for the chosen student.
This expedition represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for youth to expand their knowledge about the circumpolar world, and to gain a global perspective of the Arctic, its wonders, and its present and future challenges. This summer’s expedition will travel to Iceland, Greenland, Northern Labrador and Nunavik! Scholarship recipients must act as an ambassador for his/her community and must be prepared to share their journey with the community and country before, during and after the expedition. Students will be expected to be available for media interviews and to submit journal entries for the SOI Expedition Website and other blogs. Applicants must understand that this is an educational expedition, not a vacation and as a result, must be committed to participate fully in all aspects of the education program. Interested students must demonstrate some or all of the following qualities: strong academics and/or passion for learning, interest in the environment; leadership qualities and/or potential to develop these qualities; a desire to make a difference, become a polar ambassador and be an environmentally responsible citizen. Click here for the scholarship application form Application Deadline: Wednesday May 4th, 2011. To learn more about the scholarship opportunities visit our scholarships webpage
Aquatics Without Borders looking for volunteers
Aquatics Without Borders, a volunteer program providing aquatic education, is coming to Bali and is looking for volunteers to assist. The main role will be to helping volunteer teachers from Australia communicate to the memebers of the Panti Asuhan Salam orphanage who will be given the lessons. for which the rpogram from the . for the Swim School that I coach for called. The swimming camps will be held at Canggu in Taman Segara Madu – and will take place from 26th June – 2 July Please see Mr Muir if you are interested in being involved in this meaningful activity.
An Inspi(red) teen
Rob Burroughs spoke to Global Issues Network Conference Jakarta participants about the Inspi(red) Soccer campaign. The 19-year-old Burroughs is the International director for this and some other campaigns for the Grass- roots Soccer organisation. The Grassroots Soccer Foundation is a foundation founded by world-class soccer players that integrates both the love of sport and young people to raise HIV/AIDS international awareness. To date this group has graduated over 370,000 African youth who will educate others about HIV/AIDS.
A kid Vs global warming
16-year-old Alec Loorz spoke at the Global Issues Network Conference in Jakarta to inspire young people to get involved in bringing about change in their families and school communities. His organization, Kids vs. Global Warming, which he started at the age of 12, is focused on empowering young leaders to influence the transition to a sustainable and just society. Known as “the next Al Gore,” Alec has been an activist for three years and has spoken to more than 200,000 people in over 150 presentations internationally. Alec’s hero, Al Gore, personally invited him to be formally trained as a Climate Project presenter, and, at age fourteen, he became the youngest member of the special group.
One dress for 365 days
Another Global Issues Network confernce Jakarta Key Note Speaker…
Through promoting her cause and receiving donations via the Uniform Project website, Sheena Matheiken was able to raise $103,374 for the Akanksha Foundation, and therefore provide 287 underprivileged children with a chance to receive an education, all by wearing the same dress for 365 days.
He was only six
Zach Bonner was only six when he started taking action which ended up in the creation of The Little red Wagon. Then at the age of 12 he walked across the USA to help raise awareness about homeless youth. Those who listed to him at the GIN Conference in Jakarta were more than impressed by this 13-year-old.
