Written by: Prithvika P.
Edited by: Noah L.
At International School Manila, service is more than just a tradition—it is a way of life. The school is constantly buzzing with the spirit of service as students and teachers collaborate with service partners such as Bahay Tuluyan, Rural Rising, and UpSkills Foundation to make a meaningful impact on the local community. ISM also hosts fundraising events such as Ballin’ for Bahay, Pista, and Battle of the Bands. These relationships with service partners reflect the school’s commitment to supporting communities in need while building meaningful connections.
Although the school organizes service events year-round, students also take the initiative to launch their own service projects within ISM. One standout example is Natsuko, a junior who recently took the lead in organizing a Saturday Service event. The Saturday Service took place on September 7th and was designed to empower the girls from Alon and Araw through various activities and workshops. What makes this remarkable is that Natsuko came up with the ideas and organized the entire event herself with guidance and support from Mr. Woods, teachers, and other clubs.
Natsuko’s journey started during her iCARE visit to Zambales, where she interacted with the children supported by Alon and Araw, a non-profit organization that uplifts the lives of the underprivileged. Alon and Araw initially focused on beach clean-ups in exchange for surfing lessons but later expanded its mission to include educational support and sports access for local kids. This experience illuminated her to the challenges faced by children in accessing sports and educational opportunities. “Having lived in both Japan and the Philippines, I was able to recognize the stark difference in access to sports and education,” explained Natsuko. Her passion for personal growth and equal opportunity for all, fueled her desire to strengthen the partnership between ISM and Alon and Araw organization.
Coming back from iCARE, Natsuko reached out to Mr. Woods, who was supportive of her vision. Together, they collaborated with the founders of the organization Helen and Gabby, inviting them to ISM to discuss strengthening their existing partnership. Helen and Gabby were excited to build a stronger relationship with ISM. This partnership was not only about helping the children from Alon and Araw but also to foster a connection where both the communities—Alon and Araw and ISM—could learn from each other.
With this thought in mind, Alon and Araw visited ISM on the 7th of September, During their visit, there was a football match between the Alon and Araw girls and the ISM’s varsity team. Natsuko mentioned, “I was initially concerned about the size and height difference between the teams but was surprised by the skills of the Alon and Araw girls. In fact, they won one out of three games.” Following the match, the focus shifted to workshops consisting of personal growth, self-confidence, and sports training. It started off with a speech from Ms. Sayson, the assistant superintendent, who inspired all with her message: “Always stay curious, believe in yourself, and always be kind.” The event continued with several workshops, including football training, conditioning exercises, a session on female physiology, and an English reading and writing workshop.
Out of these 4 stations, the Female Physiology Workshop was the highlight of the day. This workshop focused on menstrual health and towards the end, reusable pads were distributed to all the Alon and Araw girls. This workshop aimed to address menstrual stigmas and provided accurate information about puberty and menstrual health. It is really important to ensure that the girls have access to the right information and resources to maintain their health confidently. By distributing reusable pads, the session not only provided a sustainable solution but also raised awareness about the financial and social barriers that contribute to period poverty. Through this session, it was clear that the Alon and Araw girls gained a solid understanding of female physiology.
As Mr. Woods explained, “The Saturday Service was not just about sharing knowledge but an opportunity to build long-lasting connections.” This collaborative mindset was evident since multiple clubs at ISM, including the Service Learning Council (SLC) and EmpowHer, joined to support the event. Natsuko mentioned that SLC played a crucial role in organizing, promoting, and leading workshops. For example, Manushri, president of the SLC, shared about her passion project, Project Shree Shakti, which she founded in 2022 after witnessing the sorrowful impacts of period poverty on the lives of those close to her. Her involvement in this Saturday Service highlights an important message: students have the opportunity to integrate their personal service initiatives into school-wide events, creating a platform for broader impact. Manushri’s project not only serves as an inspiration for the Alon and Araw girls to explore their own passion projects but also deepens their knowledge of puberty and how to manage it effectively.
Natsuko’s experience and the success of the Saturday Service highlight an important message: at ISM, new ideas are always welcome! We encourage everyone to bring forward their creative ideas, knowing that even though there might be challenges along the way, this school community is ready to support them. As Mr. Woods pointed out, the communities ISM invites for service are not just part of a one-time event, but are partners committed to building lasting relationships.
In conclusion, our school flourishes through the power of creativity, collaboration, and a strong sense of community. ISM invites everyone to dive into new opportunities and contribute to ISM’s collective mission of making a meaningful impact. So stay tuned — exciting ideas are always on the horizon. Who knows? Your great idea could be the title of our next article.
