Written by: Eunjae (Janice)
Edited by: Alessi
Visual by: Mr. McCarthy
From September 28 to October 2, students across International School Manila (ISM) celebrated Neurodiversity Week. Through student-led activities and artworks, students explored what it means to be a “Kakampi.”
This year’s theme is Kakampi. Kakampi means “ally” and was chosen to demonstrate inclusion advocacy. The theme explores allyship to neurodivergent individuals and how the ISM community can promote inclusion and support. To exemplify this, Inclusion Revolution and the Visual Arts Club organized the “Kakampi” Art Show.
Various artworks by “Kakampis”, a group of neurodivergent artists from Vico’s Artism Gallery, hang in the FAT lobby, exemplifying inclusivity through art. This exhibition features work exploring ideas of identity, inclusion, and what it means to support one another, offering perspectives on neurodiversity and community experiences.
Beyond the art show, Stepping Stone, a club aimed at supporting the education of children with mild to moderate intellectual disorders, created alternative ways for students to engage with the week. On Friday, neurodivergent students from the Stepping Stone Center joined ISM for a workshop.
Blackboards with prompts were also placed around the school, inviting students to share their thoughts. Questions included: “What does neurodiversity mean to you?” “What makes someone a Kakampi to others?” and “What is something that makes you feel supported?” The question, “What makes someone a Kakampi – an ally – to others?” received a diverse range of responses. One wrote, “emotional generosity,” while another read, “Being the best version of yourself.”
President of Stepping Stone, Alina (12), shared, “The chalkboard activity was created as an easy and accessible way to bring the entire school community into Neurodiversity Week.” She added, “By inviting people to respond to different prompts and build on each other’s ideas, it encouraged reflection and conversation around neurodiversity.”
