Creative projects impress celebs
Kindness programmes at four schools send a strong message of support
KUALA LUMPUR: The third day of #StandTogether National Kindness Week saw four schools – SMK Convent Kajang, SM Stella Maris, SK Kebun Sireh and Convent Light Street (CLS) – showcasing their kindness programmes, led by students, to celebrities Ismail Izzani and Arwind Kumar.
All four schools’ programmes were winning entries in the #StandTogether Competition, and the rewards included a RM1,000 grant to carry out those projects, along with a celebrity visit.
Popular teen singer Ismail Izzani was astounded by how good the students’ projects are, and how “strong” some of the bullied students were to pick themselves up and show support for kindness through the #StandTogether campaign.
Convent Kajang created “Boxes of Kindness”, where each class will get small boxes full of encouraging messages written by other students, while Stella Maris set up a “listening booth” for students who needed someone to talk to.
“These projects were so creative, I would never have thought of them!” said Ismail.
In Penang, social media star Arwind, a firm supporter of the campaign since its launch last year, was equally impressed with SK Kebun Sireh and CLS’s ideas.
SK Kebun Sireh’s “Honesty Shop” allows underprivileged students to take items like stationery, exercise books, and even food for free.
The CLS team devised a telematch called “Looking Back, Moving Forward” that was based on the history and hardship endured by the Infant Jesus Sisters, who were behind the inception of CLS.
“The school was fundamentally built on kindness and we want the students to realise that,” said team member Julia Hannah Zulkifli, 15.
Arwind was glad to see that such kindness programmes were started in schools, so students were empowered to spread positivity to the com
munity and support each other.
“I’m sure these kids will led an exemplary life later, and won’t even think of bullying,” said Arwind.
The inaugural National Kindness Week, created by SP Setia and R.AGE as part of its #StandTogether campaign, is being observed in more than 300 schools this week.
The schools have been given freeto-download Kindness Week manuals, which include classroom activities, games, and schoolwide initiatives that will help curb bullying and promote kindness.
The programme was developed and promoted with help from partner organisations, including Unicef Malaysia, Digi, Petrosains, 100% Project, Teach For Malaysia, and Study Hub Asia.
The campaign will culminate in a national celebration on April 15 at the Setia City Convention Centre in Shah Alam. #StandTogether celebrity supporters such as Arwind, Ismail, Lisa Surihani, Harith Iskander, Jenn Chia, Jezamine Lim and Rabbit Mac will perform and speak about kindness during the event.
To find out more about the celebration, dubbed the #StandTogether Carnival, go to facebook.com/standtogethermy. You can also watch the celebrity school visit videos on the site.
Admission to the event is free to the public.