Small school with a huge heart
SMK Kubu Gajah’s ambitious outreach programmes earn students project grant
SELAMA (Perak): Despite having only 176 students and 28 teachers, SMK Kubu Gajah is one of the schools on the forefront of the #StandTogether National Kindness Week movement this year.
Thousands of students nationwide are doing their part for kindness throughout April 1-5, as they organise and participate in “Kindness Projects” as a way to spread a message of empathy and unity.
Kubu Gajah’s ambitious Kindness Projects, which include the nomination of school “kindness ambassadors” and a year-long outreach programme for the community’s elderly or the disabled, helped it become one of 40 schools to receive a grant of RM1,000 from #StandTogether co-organisers SP Setia and R.AGE.
Their win surprised the students and teachers alike, who did not expect their rural school to beat 200 other schools that came up with Kindness Projects.
“When we didn’t get into the top 10 last year, we were disappointed, but we were motivated to do better.
“This time, we gave it our best shot and wanted to do it properly,” said Muhammad Muqri Daman Huri, 16, who went to school with his teammates every weekend for a month in order to organise their projects.
Teacher Tay Lee Yen credited the campaign’s student-driven philosophy.
“And this motivated the students to take the full lead in their projects. It’s given them a huge sense of purpose,” Tay said.
Being one of the Top 10 nominees, the school also received a celebrity visit from campaign ambassadors YouTuber Arwind Kumar and actress Sangeeta Krishnasamy, who were both taken by the students’ rallying spirit.
“I was very touched when the teacher told me the students used to be very demotivated about coming to school, but rallied together and became very involved in the campaign,” said Sangeeta after the visit.
“I thought rural schools would be very detached from urban initiatives (like #StandTogether), but to see the students so involved, I think we’ve done something (good) here.”
Arwind agreed, adding that the school’s presence in the competition’s Top 10 showed that the campaign valued “heart”.
“This is solid evidence that it’s not about how big or small your school is, just how much effort you’re willing to put into the campaign,” he said.
“These kids really stand out because they’re genuine, and that’s just beautiful.”
In addition to the activities in schools, over 4,000 Malaysians have also signed up for the interactive Kindness Challenge on WhatsApp, which is already taking social media by storm with over 2,500 people participating in the first day’s mission.
Participants will receive a “Kindness Mission” every morning, which they have to complete in 24 hours in order to unlock a special surprise.
Malaysians can still sign up to help create a kinder society by signing up for the challenge at bit.ly/ stchallenge2019.
Teachers and principals who registered their schools to observe National Kindness Week also received free #StandTogether resources and materials, developed by experts to help reduce bullying and create a more positive environment in schools.
The campaign is endorsed by the Education Ministry, which has encouraged all schools to observe the first week of April as National Kindness Week.
For more information on the #StandTogether campaign and the competition, go to www.standtogether.my or www.standtogether. my/international/ for schools outside Malaysia.