Download - Service learning booklet 2014 2015
United Nations International School of Hanoi
Dear Parents and students,
Welcome to MSHS Service Learning at the United Nations International School (UNIS),
Hanoi.
MISSION
By addressing real and authentic community needs, the Service Learning programme
at UNIS aims to provide opportunities for our students as individuals, and as part of the
UNIS community, to gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their community and
their world. The Service Learning programme aims to provide opportunities for students
to develop the knowledge, skills and outlooks required to play their part in creating a
fair, inclusive and cohesive society and to encourage them to drive and inspire
sustainable change.
PROGRAMME
The Service Learning programme offers 19 activities at MS Level (Grades 6 - 8) and 21
activities at HS Level (Grades 9 - 11). Students engage in a structured process of
investigation, planning, action, and reflection and celebration. Investigation, planning
and reflection take place during a dedicated Service Learning lesson within the school
day (40 minutes once per 6-day cycle), while action is completed at other times
including after-school, Saturday morning, and overnight visits and trips.
In Grades 11 and 12, as part of their compulsory IB CAS (Creativity, Action, Service)
programme, students participate in Service Learning as leaders of specific Service
Learning activities.
CONCEPTS
At both MS and HS level, Service Learning activities are grouped by concept. Broadly
speaking these correspond with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.
Students explore specific concepts as they apply to the local Vietnamese context.
In addition, all Service Learning activity programmes have a specific community focus.
REFLECTION
The process of experiential learning is a personal process where dialogue, exchange
and communication with others are essential; hence the importance of being able to
communicate what has been learned in an appropriate way. Reflection in the
Service Learning programme is a continuous process: students are encouraged to
reflect on an on-going basis using a variety of methods and media.
MS (Grades 6 - 8)
For 2014 - 15, at MS Level, all students are required to participate in ONE Service
Learning activity programme from August/September - May. Students are required to
participate in all the visits and trips associated with a particular activity. When
signing-up for a specific activity, students should look carefully at the requirements of
each activity.
HS (Grades 9 - 10)
For 2014 - 15, at HS Level, all students are required to participate in ONE Service
Learning activity programme from August/September - May. Students are required to
participate in all the visits and trips associated with a particular activity. When
signing-up for a specific activity, students should look carefully at the requirements of
each activity.
In addition, students in Grade 10 will experience a number of specialist sessions during
the year aimed at preparing them for leadership in Grade 11 and 12 (IB CAS).
IB CAS (Grades 11 - 12)
In Grades 11 and 12, students work in groups of approximately 3 - 4 in the position of
co-leaders of Service Learning activities in collaboration with the teacher-supervisors
of the activity.
Students begin their Service activity in Semester 1, in-line with all Service activities,
and assume responsibility for leadership in Semester 2 of Grade 11. This gives students
time to observe and learn from the current Grade 12 leaders and teacher-supervisors.
Students assume a leadership role for approximately 1 year.
SIGN-UP
Sign-up for Service Learning is through the online programme ISIS Family. This is also
the mechanism for sign-up for all After-school activities. Dates and times for Service
Learning sign-up will be sent to all students in August. Sign-up can be completed at
school or at home.
If you have any further questions regarding Service Learning at UNIS, please do not
hesitate to contact either Nick Whatley, D-12 Service Learning Coordinator
([email protected]) or Ms. Maite Montero Nahoum, MYP Service Learning
Coordinator ([email protected]) .
“It is poverty that pushes most children into
institutions. Studies focusing on the reasons for
institutional placements consistently reflect that
poverty is the driving force behind their
placement.“ (‘Families, Not Orphanages’, John
Williamson and Aaron Greenberg, 2010)
For children living in orphanages in Vietnam,
meager living conditions create an environment
that offers little hope for a bright future. Currently
the Vietnamese government contributes a limited
amount per child per month to orphanages, but
this is barely enough to meet the daily needs of
the children. Made up of modest buildings
providing only basic shelter for the children,
orphanages in Vietnam are highly dependent on
support from organizations and benevolent
individuals
Chuc Son Orphanage is an orphanage of
approximately 150 children many with severe
hearing difficulties. UNIS is pleased to have
teamed up with ‘New Beginnings’ for this
programme, an organisation that supports “the
welfare of underprivileged children, and their
families, in Vietnam, through the provision of basic
assistance such as food, health care and
education” (New Beginnings).
Students in this Service Learning activity will learn
about the challenges of being deaf and the link
between poverty, disability and health in a
low-middle income country like Vietnam; visit the
orphanage to socialize with the children and run
a variety of art and craft, and sporting activities;
organize trips for the orphanage children to UNIS;
and identify; raise funds for small capacity-
building projects and collect; and raise
awareness in the UNIS community of the issues
facing deaf children in Vietnam and specifically
those children at the Chuc Son Orphanage.
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning MS CHUC SON ORPHANAGE
LEVEL: GRADES 8
CONCEPT: DISABILITY & DISADVANTAGE
FOCUS: VIETNAM
DURATION: September—May
TRIPS/VISITS Saturday mornings once per
month from 08.00—12.30
information
DISABILITY & DISADVANTAGE VIETNAM Grades 8
“People with disabilities (PWDs) represent a
disproportionately high proportion of the world's
poor. Recognizing the relationship between
disability and poverty, leading to increased
vulnerability and social exclusion, disability has
been flagged as a key development issue in
eradicating world poverty.” (‘Social Protection
and Disability: Policy Lessons from Vietnam’, ESRC
Economic and Social Research Council)
The Huong La Centre was founded by a Church
Mission approximately 25 years ago in response to
the need for help for families with disabled
children and for orphans. The church mission has
been present for more than 100 years and is run by
nuns. The support offered by the Centre has grown
organically until today it provides a home and full
time care for 25 children and adults who range
from severely handicapped to regular, healthy
children but who are socially ostracized for a
variety of reasons.
In 2014—15, with a grant from the UNIS Birthday
Gift Fund the Hanoi University of Education,
Department Special Needs Education, have been
approached and have agreed to train 2 of the
nuns of Huong La in special needs education to
provide sustainable support to a small number of
children at the centre.
In this Service learning activity students learn
about the link between disability and poverty;
support and socialize with the disabled children
at the centre, and lead art and craft activities
with other children; support the work of the
fund-raise to provide basic essentials for the
centre; create teaching resources, games, and
reading activities to support the trainee nuns; and
promote and raise awareness of the work of the
centre within the UNIS and the local community.
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning THE HUONG LA CENTRE
LEVEL: GRADES 8
CONCEPT: DISABILITY & DISADVANTAGE
FOCUS: VIETNAM
DURATION: September—May
TRIPS/VISITS: Saturday morning visits once
per month from 08.00—13.00
information
DISABILITY & DISADVANTAGE VIETNAM Grades 8
“A good early childhood education is considered
one of the essential building blocks for a successful
future, preparing a child for a lifetime of learning
inside and outside the classroom.” (East Meets
West Foundation)
The Early Childhood Renovation Programme
(ECERP) at UNIS supports the Vietnamese
government in improving the quality of early
childhood education in Vietnam. ECERP gives
opportunities for local Vietnamese early childhood
teachers to work alongside UNIS ECC teachers
and teaching assistants to strengthen their
knowledge, understanding and skills related to
early childhood education.
The Kreativity for Kindergarten Service Learning
activity support the ECERP programme. In this
activity, students design and create teaching
resources for underprivileged kindergartens in
Hanoi; deliver the resources to the local schools;
and demonstrate to teachers and children how
to use the resources that they have made.
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning KREATIVITY for KINDERGARTEN
LEVEL: GRADES 6—7
CONCEPT: EDUCATION
FOCUS: HANOI
DURATION: September—May
TRIPS/VISITS:
4 visits to Kindergarten
schools in Hanoi. One per
quarter.
information
EDUCATION HANOI Grades 6 - 7
“Currently, there remain many problems related to
integrating ICT in education, such as: price of
computers; low English language skills; and the
disparity in living conditions between urban and
rural areas.” (ICT in Education, UNESCO Bangkok)
In this Service Learning Activity, students aim is to
extend and develop the links already in place
between UNIS Hanoi and Mai Chau Secondary
School, links which have been developed on the
Grade 7 Field Trip to Mai Chau. In particular,
students develop online computer collaboration
between UNIS and the school using the recently
donated laptops. In the first semester, students
undertake a needs assessment at Mai Chau
School and develop specific goals for an online
collaborative project. Students also fund-raising for
small capacity building projects at the school.
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning MAI CHAU SCHOOL
LEVEL: GRADES 7
CONCEPT: EDUCATION
FOCUS: VIETNAM
DURATION: September—May
TRIPS/VISITS:
2 visits to Mai Chau. Grade
Level Trip visit and one other 3
day/2 night trip in Semester 2.
information
EDUCATION VIETNAM Grade 7
“Literacy is crucial to the success of individuals in
both their career aspirations and their quality of
life” (Education Matters)
With facilities in short supply, many students have
inadequate access to the textbooks and supplies
they need. In rural areas, transportation is also a
challenge, with many students forced to travel
miles alone on treacherous roads to reach the
nearest school. Often, family pressure outweighs
children’s dreams to finish their education, and
girls in particular drop out so they can contribute
to the household income. (Room to Read)
'Room to Read' is an international organisation
that aims to develop literary skills and a habit of
reading among primary school children to enable
them to develop the life skills they'll need to
succeed in school and beyond.
In this Service Learning activity, students explore
ways to continue to support the work of 'Room to
Read', including running fund-raising campaigns,
supporting school Book Week and Teen Read
Week, and helping to coordinate the SCO Book
Sale. Students advocate for the importance of
literacy for all, and devise a shared reading
programme for children in the Elementary School.
Visiting local community partners and children in
the ES to promote literacy and engage in book
and reading projects. For those students with a
creative leaning, then there may also be an
opportunity to write and publish their own
materials and stories for these children.
In 2014—15, with a grant from the UNIS Birthday
Gift Fund, explore the potential of visiting local
community partners (orphanages, hospitals, etc.)
and/or hosting these partners at UNIS, to promote
literacy and engage in book and reading
projects.
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning ROOM to READ
LEVEL: GRADES 6—8
CONCEPT: EDUCATION
FOCUS: GLOBAL
DURATION: September—May
TRIPS/VISITS: Various. As required. SCO
Book Sale.
information
EDUCATION GLOBAL Grades 6 - 8
“More than 10,000 bears are kept on bile farms in
China, and around 2,400 suffer the same fate in
Vietnam. The bears are "milked" regularly for their
bile, which is not only used in traditional medicine
but also in many ordinary household products. Bile
is extracted using various painful, invasive
techniques, all of which cause massive infection in
the bears. Most farmed bears are starved,
dehydrated and suffer from multiple diseases and
malignant tumours that ultimately kill
them.” (Animals Asia).
Most farmed bears are kept in tiny cages. In
China, the cages are sometimes so small that the
bears are unable to turn around or stand on all
fours. Some bears are caged as cubs and never
released. Bears may be kept caged for up to 30
year. (Animals Asia)
Tam Dao Moon Bear Sanctuary is the project of
Animals Asia. Their goal is to end the suffering of
bears who are used in the bile trade. The centre is
a safe haven for them and includes health care
and rehabilitation.
In this Service Learning activity, students learn
about the work of Animals Asia at Tam Dao Moon
Bear Sanctuary and the plight of the animals;
explore ways to increase awareness of the
sanctuary and the plight of the bears in the UNIS
community; and “befriend” a bear by conduct
fund-raising activities in order to make a direct
financial contribution to the sanctuary.
LEVEL: GRADES 6 - 7
CONCEPT: ENVIRONMENT
FOCUS: VIETNAM
DURATION: September—May
TRIPS/VISITS: 2 day trips to Tam Dao. Once
per semester.
information
ENVIRONMENT VIETNAM Grades 6 - 7
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning TAM DAO MOON BEAR SANCTUARY/ ANIMALS in DANGER
“Although economic reform has brought
remarkable progress in poverty reduction in
Vietnam, the scale and depth of ethnic minority
poverty in Vietnam presents one of the major
challenges to achieving the targets for poverty
reduction set out in the Socio-Economic
Development Plan, as well as the Millennium De-
velopment Goals.” (Chronic Poverty Research
Centre, 2010)
Ba Vi Homestead is situated to the west of
suburban Ha Noi in a traditional and diverse
agricultural landscape (with ponds, streams, lakes
and rivers). Visitors have the opportunity to
participate in agricultural activities that
characterize Vietnamese culture, such as:
cultivating rice, fishing with equipment made of
bamboo, growing and harvesting various
vegetables and herbs, collecting honey from
bees, making dried tea (tea picking and
processing) feeding cows, goats and rabbits, etc.
In this Service Learning activity students
investigate ways in which UNIS can develop
Service opportunities in collaboration with the
homestead; learn about the ethnic minorities in
the area; and develop Fair Trade opportunities at
UNIS with local ethnic minority groups, including
the H’mong and Dao, for the sale of organic
vegetables and other produce.
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning BA VI HOMESTEAD
LEVEL: GRADES 8
CONCEPT: ENVIRONMENT
FOCUS: VIETNAM
DURATION: September—May
TRIPS/VISITS:
2 visits to Ba Vi. Grade Level
Trip visit and one other 3
day/2 night trip in Semester 2.
Semester 2 Saturday morning
once per month from 08.00—
11.30.
information
ENVIRONMENT VIETNAM Grade 8
“Community gardens offer a wide spectrum of
benefits to a community … The benefits of
community gardens are varied and are
summarized here in four broad categories: health,
personal well being, community development and
environmental.” (Benefits of Community Gardens
to the Built Environment, Candace Wormsbecker,
2008)
Research, design, build and continue to grow the
community garden at UNIS. Students in this Service
Learning activity harvest vegetables; work with
and fundraise for a local farming family on the
Red River in Hanoi; and, raise awareness of the
garden among the UNIS and broader community.
This is a great activity for students to get their
hands dirty and to learn the skills of gardening
while creating a ‘greener’ campus environment.
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning GOING GREEN:
COMMUNITY GARDEN
LEVEL: GRADES 6 - 7
CONCEPT: ENVIRONMENT
FOCUS: UNIS
DURATION: September—May
TIME/DATE:
2 GROUPS:
Monday after school from
3.45—4.45 p.m. weekly.
Or
Thursday after school from
3.45—4.45 p.m. weekly.
information
ENVIRONMENT UNIS Grades 6 - 7
“National parks help to take care of places with
natural and historical value. Unlike humans, who
are extremely good at surviving in all sorts of
conditions, some plants and animals find it very
difficult, or impossible, to survive in areas where
their habitat has been disturbed or changed.
National parks preserve habitats for a wide range
of native plants and wildlife. Parks maintain
biodiversity and protect endangered species.
They provide people with opportunities to learn
about natural flora and fauna as well as to explore
and admire the beauty of diverse environments.”
(Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Services)
Cuc Phong National Park aims to protect existing
forest resources; to conserve and educate to raise
environmental awareness, and to develop
Ecotourism to improve livelihoods of local people.
In this Service Learning activity students
investigate ways in which UNIS can build on the
work already done on primates within the Grade
6 UNIS curriculum; consider how UNIS can serve
the park in achieving its major goals, especially in
raising environmental awareness and the plight of
endangered species; and promote the
importance of national parks in the community.
This is a NEW activity for 2014 - 15 and students will
be primarily engaged in exploring and learning
about the park, and investigating potential
opportunities for Service Learning.
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning CUC PHUONG NATIONAL PARK
LEVEL: GRADES 6
CONCEPT: ENVIRONMENT
FOCUS: VIETNAM
DURATION: September—May
TRIPS/VISITS:
2 visits to Cuc Phuong. Grade
Level Trip visit and one other 3
day/2 night trip in Semester 2.
information
ENVIRONMENT VIETNAM Grade 6
“Vietnam is home to an astonishing 2,800 craft
villages that include not just those that make
handicrafts for tourists, but some that specialize in
recycling all sorts of discarded plastic, including
from waste streams.” (‘A Look at Vietnam’s Plastic
Craft Villages’, Our World, Warwick Pearse, 2010)
This is a brand new Service Learning activity this
year and is an effort to broaden the paper
recycling activity that has run in the school for a
number of years.
In this Service Learning activity students learn
about the process of recycling in Vietnam and
the economy that is generated by it; consider
some of the environmental costs of this process;
investigate and plan a number of UNIS campus-
based and/or local eco/green initiatives; and
promote awareness of the importance of
recycling in the community.
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning ECONUTS
LEVEL: GRADES 6 - 7
CONCEPT: ENVIRONMENT
FOCUS: UNIS & HANOI
DURATION: September—May
TRIPS/VISITS: Visit to Recycling Village (S1)
and plastic village (S2)
information
ENVIRONMENT UNIS & HANOI Grades 6 - 7
“We believe that life-long learning is self-
empowerment. We believe our actions represent
our power to create change” (Global Issues
Network)
The Global Issues Network (GIN) was created
following Jean-François Rischard's book High
Noon: Twenty Global Problems, Twenty Years to
Solve Them (2002). GIN aims to empower young
people to collaborate locally, regionally and
globally to create solutions for global issues. Each
year, thousands of students worldwide engage in
GIN-related activities.
Each year, GIN conferences bring together
students, teachers, experts, NGOs, and
representatives from educational organizations.
Conferences are self-funded and have ranged in
size from 100 to 800 participants. GIN conferences
are about cooperation, not competition. Students
are expected to take the leadership with adults
acting in support roles.
The format is similar to a professional conference,
with plenary and breakout sessions led by
students, and social activities that promote
exchange and collaboration around global
issues. Keynote speakers are typically young –
from school age to 30 – and offer inspiration and
direction for their audiences.
In this Service Learning Activity, students learn
about the philosophy and work of the Global
Issues Network; attend the annual GIN
conference; commit themselves to take action
locally on an issue of global significance;
promote and advocate in the UNIS and broader
community.
Please note: students will be required to pay for
attendance at the GIN conference. Payment will be
required at the beginning of the appropriate semester.
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning GLOBAL ISSUES NETWORK
LEVEL: GRADES 8
CONCEPT: ENVIRONMENT
FOCUS: GLOBAL
DURATION: September—May
TRIPS/VISITS: MS GIN Conference. Dates
TBC.
information
ENVIRONMENT GLOBAL Grades 8
“In most developing countries like Vietnam, we
have seen firsthand how access to care is limited
to those who can pay. For a child with heart
disease or another life-threatening serious illness,
there are many roadblocks to care. The parents
have no money and no way to get to the hospitals
in the major cities that could care for their
children. In Vietnam the long trek to Ho Chi Minh
City, Hue, or Hanoi is too far and too expensive for
many rural families.” (Building Capacity for
Paediatric Care, VinaCapital Foundation).
In this Service Learning activity, students learn
about the work of the Paediatric Hospital in Hoa
Binh and explore the link between poverty and
health; raise awareness in the UNIS community of
the issues children and their families at the
hospital; socialize with the children at the hospital
and devise enjoyable activities for them;
fund-raise to provide gifts and donations to
children and their families at the hospital.
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning HOA BINH PAEDIATRIC HOSPITAL
LEVEL: GRADES 6 - 7
CONCEPT: HEALTH
FOCUS: VIETNAM
DURATION: September—May
TIME/DATE: 4 Saturday visits per year to
Hoa Binh. Once per quarter.
information
HEALTH VIETNAM Grades 6 - 7
16,000 Number of Vietnamese children
who are on a waiting list to receive
cardiac surgery
6,000 Estimated number of pediatric
cardiac surgeries Vietnam's
surgeons can currently perform
96% Percentage of children in Vietnam
with the most common heart de
fects who will not live to be adults
without cardiac surgery
$2,000 On average, the total cost of heart
surgery to EMW in Vietnam
In this Service Learning activity students raise
awareness of the work of the East Meets West
(EMW) Foundation and, in particular, their
programme 'Operation Healthy Heart' which aims
to provide financial and medical assistance to
Vietnamese children with serious congenital heart
defects whose families cannot afford the costs of
surgery and treatment; learn about families who
have a child living with an acute medical
condition; organise fund raising events and
activities to raise money to provide heart
operations for children, monitor the progress of the
children after surgery; and advocate in the local
community to raise awareness of the plight of
these families and to encourage healthy
life-styles.
In 2014—15, with a grant from the UNIS Birthday
Gift Fund, all funds raised by this Service Learning
group will be ‘matched’ to a specific amount in
order to increase the capacity of the activity and
ensure its sustainability.
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning EMW: OPERATION HEALTHY HEART
LEVEL: GRADES 6 - 8
CONCEPT: HEALTH
FOCUS: VIETNAM
DURATION: September—May
TRIPS/VISTS: Various as required.
information
HEALTH VIETNAM Grades 6 - 8
The Middle School Ambassadors is a group of
students dedicated to the positive promotion of
the United Nations International School.
In his Service Learning activity students work with
the Counseling Office at UNIS to provide a positive
role model for younger students; develop
leadership skills; serve as liaisons between the
current UNIS community, and new and
prospective students. Student Ambassadors
support and are visible at many campus events
including: new student orientation, House
Activities, Peer Mentoring, working on student
assemblies, College visits, and after school
information events for parents. Students in this
activity have the opportunity to develop public
relations and interpersonal skills.
This Service Learning activity programme is
particularly suited to students interested in
leadership opportunities within the UNIS
community.
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning MS AMBASSADORS
LEVEL: GRADES 6—8
CONCEPT: OTHER
FOCUS: UNIS
DURATION: September—May
TIME/DATE: Various options. See above
for details
information
OTHER UNIS Grades 6 - 8
The Middle School Aquatics Ambassadors is a
group of students dedicated to the positive
promotion of aquatics at the United Nations
International School.
In this Service Learning activity students work with
the Aquatics Office at UNIS to develop leadership
skills and support many aquatics events held at
UNIS including: UNIS Swim Meets and events in
collaboration with the broader community.
Students will also have the opportunity to work in
collaboration with the Swim for Life Service
Learning activity supporting water safety and
swimming classes for disadvantaged youth from
the KOTO and Blue Dragon organisations. This
Service Learning activity programme is particularly
suited to students interested in leadership
opportunities within the UNIS community.
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning AQUATICS AMBASSADORS
LEVEL: GRADES 6—8
CONCEPT: OTHER
FOCUS: UNIS
DURATION: September—May
TIME/DATE:
Various UNIS events through-
out the year. Wednesday af-
ter school from 4.45—6.00
information
OTHER UNIS Grades 6 - 8
“Everything in life has an end. Only sausages have
two.” (German Proverb)
In this Service Learning activity students work as a
team to prepare, cook and sell sausages with
onions to the local community at a variety of
school and community events. In addition,
students learn some basic skills to do with running
a small business, including: budgeting, ordering
supplies, and basic accounting. This is a great
activity if you are outgoing and enjoy socialising.
Money raised from the Sausage Sizzle goes to a
UNIS Service Learning activity of the students’
own choice, and a percentage to fund sports
clothing and resources for KOTO trainees who
participate in our HS Community Sports
Programme.
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning SAUSAGE SIZZLE with onions !
LEVEL: GRADES 6—8
CONCEPT: OTHER
FOCUS: UNIS
DURATION: September—May
TIME/DATE:
Saturday morning every week
f rom 08 .30—12 .00 on
rotational basis. Special
information
OTHER UNIS Grades 6 - 8
“Through the work of the Middle School Student
Council , students in grades 6-8 are provided with
a forum to communicate about the issues that are
important to them on campus with faculty and
administration.
The Middle School Student Council allows students
an opportunity to shape their experiences on
campus and allow student views and opinions to
be presented to the school’s faculty and
administration.
Skills in organization, communication and
leadership are developed through hands-on
experience throughout the year. Student Council
events such as MS Dance, Valentine’s Day Candy
Heart Chocolate Sale Sausage Sizzles and Movie
Nights and have becoming key milestones in the
academic year that all students look forward to.
Additionally, the Student Council contributes to
charitable causes through fundraising activities
throughout the year.
In this Service Learning activity, student
representatives work together to provide a voice
for MS students, and plan, coordinate and
support student events both on campus and in
the community.
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning STUDENT COUNCIL
LEVEL: GRADES 6—8
CONCEPT: OTHER
FOCUS: UNIS
DURATION: September—May
TRIPS/VISTS: A variety of events
throughout the school year.
information
OTHER UNIS Grades 6 - 8
The Year Book is a publication that reflects the
events and lives of people involved in the school in
a given year. It should be honest, thorough and
accurate … it is a memory book, a history book, a
record book ... (Herff Jones)
In this Service Learning activity students work
together to plan, design and create the UNIS
school Yearbook. Students learn skills in
collaboration, organisation and meeting
deadlines are developed through hands-on
experience throughout the year.
This is a activity that will appeal to students who
have an interest in design and desktop publishing.
Year Book cover 2014.
“For this design, I worked together with Patrick
Healy. He gave me the idea, and I created it in
Photoshop. The idea for this cover was to have
stripes running along horizontally, which would be
colored with the main color of a popular social
networks. Then on the front, in each stripe there
are keywords from UNIS' Mission Statement each
in the styles of its stripes' corresponding social
network. By doing this, we combined UNIS' ideals
together with the social network theme. (Nils)
academic year that all students look forward to.
Additionally, the Senate contributes to charitable
causes through fundraising activities throughout
the year.“
By Patrick Healy (11RW) & Nils Jaranovs (9AM)
LEVEL: GRADES 6-8
CONCEPT: OTHER
FOCUS: UNIS
DURATION: September—May
TRIP/VISITS:
information
OTHER UNIS Grades 6 - 8
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning MS YEARBOOK
“Among 6,000 non-sighted children under the age
of 15, only about 450 children are attending
schools, a percentage of only 7.5. The percentage
is even lower, only about 5%, for those between
the ages of 15 to 18.” (The Blind Vietnamese
Children’s Foundation)
The Australian Charity for the Children of Vietnam
(ACCV), in collaboration with management of the
Vietnam Blind Association in Hanoi, supports blind
and visually impaired students to access
education through various educational
programmes. In partnership with the Vietnam
Paediatric Hospital, the charity also identifies and
finances medical treatment for children with
acute medical conditions that will need life-long
support and come from families with a low-socio
economic background.
With support in the form of a grant from the UNIS
Birthday Gift Fund, students in this Service Learning
activity learn about the challenges of being blind
and the link between poverty, disability and health
in a low-middle income country like Vietnam; work
with the Australian Charity for the Children of
Vietnam (ACCV) to plan and initiate a range of
activities and games with young people at a
centre for the blind in Hanoi; collect toys and
games for the establishment of an educational
and social centre for very young blind children;
identify families with children who are in need of
medical support and fundraise to support
medical treatment; raise awareness in the UNIS
community of the issues facing blind children in
Vietnam and the work of ACCV.
In addition, when possible, this group they will
continue its work with the Blind School in
Hai Phong raising funds for the school and
participating in outings.
LEVEL: GRADES 9 - 12
CONCEPT: DISABILITY
FOCUS: VIETNAM
DURATION: September—May
TRIPS/VISITS:
Monthly visits to ACCV
Centre. Day TBD. And/or 2 all
day visits to Blind School, Hai
Phong. One per semester.
information
DISABILITY VIETNAM/HAN Grades 9 - 12
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning 1000 PAPER CRANES & ACCV
“We don’t know the significance that people
around us make. Every day, I see people around
me trying so hard to achieve something. I think the
community should take time and respect and
understand more about what these people are
doing. I also want to get rid of stereotypical
thinking … by providing a closer look into other’s
lives.” (Van Do, UNIS Grade 10 Personal Project)
In this Service Learning activity students will learn
about disadvantaged, under-represented and
‘overlooked’ individuals and groups in the local
Hanoi community through fact-finding visits and
interviews with local people; use of a variety of
media to develop and promote knowledge and
understanding of these individuals and groups in
the UNIS and broader community. Students will
begin the year by completing a photo exhibition
begun in 2013 - 14.
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning A DAY IN THE LIFE
LEVEL: GRADES 9 - 12
CONCEPT: DISADVANTAGE
FOCUS: HANOI
DURATION: September—May
TRIPS/VISITS: Various visits in Hanoi
information
DISADVANTAGE HANOI Grades 9 - 12
“It is poverty that pushes most children into
institutions. Studies focusing on the reasons for
institutional placements consistently reflect that
poverty is the driving force behind their
placement.“ (‘Families, Not Orphanages’, John
Williamson and Aaron Greenberg, 2010)
For children living in orphanages in Vietnam,
meager living conditions create an environment
that offers little hope for a bright future. Currently
the Vietnamese government contributes a limited
amount per child per month to orphanages, but
this is barely enough to meet the daily needs of
the children. Made up of modest buildings
providing only basic shelter for the children,
orphanages in Vietnam are highly dependent on
support from organizations and benevolent
individuals
Chuc Son Orphanage is an orphanage of
approximately 150 children many with severe
hearing difficulties. UNIS is pleased to have
teamed up with ‘New Beginnings’ for this
programme, an organisation that supports “the
welfare of underprivileged children, and their
families, in Vietnam, through the provision of basic
assistance such as food, health care and
education” (New Beginnings).
In this Service Learning activity students learn
about the challenges of being deaf and the link
between poverty, disability and health in a
low-middle income country like Vietnam; visit the
orphanage to socialize with the children and run
a variety of art and craft, and sporting activities;
organize trips for the orphanage children to UNIS.
and identify; raise funds for small capacity-
building projects and collect; and raise
awareness in the UNIS community of the issues
facing deaf children in Vietnam and specifically
those children at the Chuc Son Orphanage.
LEVEL: GRADES 9 - 12
CONCEPT: DISADVANTAGE & DISABILITY
FOCUS: VIETNAM
DURATION: September—May
TRIPS/VISITS: Saturday morning once per
month from 08.00—12.30
information
DISADVANTAGE & DISABILITY VIETNAM Grades 9 - 12
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning CHUC SON ORPHANAGE
“Vietnam compulsory schools lack 4500 music
teachers. Those who work often suffer from low
wages, overwork, outdated curricula, substandard
facilities and equipment, isolation and low respect
for music as a subject in school. Students have few
music hours and “miss the sound of music”.
(Houmann, Anna. ‘Government Ideas to Develop
the Education System of Vietnam’, 2014)
In this NEW Service Learning activity students will
learn about music education in Vietnam schools;
work with a local school to teach music to local
students on a regular basis; engage in fund-raising
activities in order to purchase instruments to
donate to the local school to improve music
provision; and raise awareness of the benefits of
music education.
LEVEL: GRADES 9—11
CONCEPT: EDUCATION
FOCUS: HANOI
DURATION: September—May
TRIPS/VISITS: Fortnightly after school visits.
Day TBA.
information
EDUCATION HANOI Grades 9 - 11
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning THE HANOI MUSIC INITATIVE
“One child drowns every 45 seconds in Asia,
during daylight hours, with many swimming
unsupervised. Drowning, like other injury deaths, is
hidden because of the very speed at which it kills
— there is no time for hospitalization.” (Swim Safe:
Preventing Childhood Drowning). Drowning is the
biggest killer of children in Vietnam … and the
leading killer of children over the age of one in
Vietnam. (Department of Foreign Affairs, Australia)
In this Service learning activity, students investigate
the high incidence of drowning in Vietnam; learn
about the work of the Hanoi-based KOTO and
Blue Dragon organisations and their work with
young disadvantaged youth in Hanoi; plan and
lead water safety and swimming classes for
disadvantaged youth from these organisations;
participate as Aquatics Ambassadors for the
range of swimming events that take place at UNIS
during the year.
In 2014—15, with a grant from the Birthday Gift
Fund and with support from the Ministry of
Education, the programme will also provide
swimming classes for children in Grades 4 and 5
from local schools in Hanoi.
There will also be the opportunity for a number of
UNIS students to participate in a course leading to
American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor’s (WSI)
Certification
Students in this Service Learning activity, opt for
ONE of the following groups:
SFL Group 1: a 21 hour WSI instructor’s training
course (Aug & Sept, 2014), followed by KOTO &
Blue Dragon swimming instruction on
Wednesdays from 5.00—6.00 p.m. until May 2015.
SFL Group 2: a 21 hour WSI instructor’s training
course (Aug. & Sept. 2014), followed by KOTO &
Blue Dragon swim instruction on Wednesdays
from 5.00—6.00 p.m. in Semester 1, and instruction
for local school children also on Wednesdays
from 4.30—5.30 p.m. in Semester 2 (March—May,
2015).
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning SWIM for LIFE
Now offering UNIS HS students the
opportunity to gain American Red
Cross Water Safety Instructor
(WSI) certification!
LEVEL: GRADES 9—12
CONCEPT: EDUCATION
FOCUS: HANOI
DURATION: September—May
TIME/DATE: Weds. After school. Various
options. See description for
information
EDUCATION HANOI Grades 9 - 12
“Even as technology becomes more affordable
and internet access seems increasingly ubiquitous,
a “digital divide” between rich and poor remains.
The rich and educated are still more likely than
others to have good access to digital resources.
The digital divide has far-reaching consequences
when it comes to education. For children in low-
income school districts, inadequate access to
technology can hinder them from learning the
tech skills that are crucial to success in today’s
economy.” (‘Digital Responsibility’, Liz Soltan).
In this Service Learning Activity, students organize
a Hanoi robotics competition involving local
schools , and disadvantaged groups.
Students work with other schools and local groups
in the area, tech companies, such as FPT, and lo-
cal organizations like Code Club Hanoi to promote
design, coding, and robotics. In addition, they
identify local donors who are interested in support-
ing the project; fundraise to purchase robotics kits;
create an application process so that community
groups who are interested can obtain the kits at
no to low cost.
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning TECH for ALL: Robot Invasion
LEVEL: GRADES 9—12
CONCEPT: EDUCATION
FOCUS: VIETNAM
DURATION: September—May
TIME/DATE: TBA
information
EDUCATION VIETNAM Grades 9 - 12
“I don’t think it is right to blame it completely on
the Vietnam War. What the war also did was keep
people very poor, and poor people do desperate
things to community assets such as land,” he says.
“You overgraze it, you cut down trees, you
mismanage the land to survive. It is a classic case
of the tragedy of the commons in which people
overuse natural resources.” (Interview from
‘Vietnam’s Need for Trees’, Dr. Gio Braidotti, 2013)
The Community Tree Nursery group focuses on
activities involving trees.
In this Service Learning activity students learn how
to propagate and grow trees for donation to local
community organizations; manage the School’s
information about trees on campus; and generate
awareness in the UNIS and broader community
about the importance of taking care of our
natural surroundings.
An ongoing project is labeling the trees on
campus, including managing a linked website
with additional information about the tree species.
Field trips will be to plant trees with local
organizations in the city or countryside.
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning COMMUNITY GARDEN & TREE NURSERY
LEVEL: GRADES 9 - 12
CONCEPT: ENVIRONMENT
FOCUS: UNIS & HANOI
DURATION: September—May
TRIPS/VISITS: Various through the year
information
ENVIRONMENT UNIS & HANOI Grades 9 - 12
“Renewable energy technologies are clean
sources of energy that have a much lower
environmental impact than conventional energy
technologies”. (Renewable Energy World.com)
Bicycle technology - "biketech" - is the extension of
the basic components of bicycle construction to a
larger field of uses. Power delivered to pedals (by
arms, legs, or other source of motion), transmitted
by bicycle chains, drive cables, and/or bicycle
gears is applied to power machines or generate
electricity. The supplied motion may be used for
transport, pumping water, vacuum pumping,
blending food, mowing grass, spinning washing
machines, and so on. Thus, without the
infrastructure for electricity or internal combustion,
the motive power of human beings can be
multiplied and extended to alleviate tedious tasks.
If you are not afraid of getting your hands dirty
and like challenges, Community Turbines may be
the place for you!
In this Service Learning activity students learn
about turbine and “biketech” technology as an
alternative energy resource; dismantle bikes to
create pedal driven blenders and electric
generators; and, advocate for their use in specific
situations.
This year, the group hopes to get these ‘green
contraptions’ out into the city to spread the word
about one of the most abundant alternative
energy sources that Vietnam has … people pedal
power!
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning COMMUNITY TURBINES
LEVEL: GRADES 9 - 12
CONCEPT: ENVIRONMENT
FOCUS: UNIS & HANOI
DURATION: September—May
TRIPS/VISITS: As decided by group
information
ENVIRONMENT UNIS & HANOI Grades 9 - 12
“Road traffic crashes cause approximately 22,000
fatalities and more than 433,000 injuries on
Vietnam’s roads each year. Approximately 4000
children are killed every year in Vietnam, and most
of these deaths could have been prevented by
motorcyclists wearing a helmet. Currently, only
16% of children wear a helmet.” (Asia Injury
Prevention Foundation (AIPF), Vietnam)
When helmet legislation came into effect in 2007,
adult helmet use rates skyrocketed from under 10
percent to over 90 percent. Due to a loophole in
the law, child helmet use rates quickly dropped
and remained under 20 percent until recently.
This is an opportunity to take part in a programme
where you can help make a real difference.
AIPF-Vietnam are an NGO who, in collaboration
with the Ministry of Education, National Safety
Traffic Committee, National Traffic Police and the
WHO, aim to find ways to reduce the number of
traffic accidents on Vietnamese roads. The
organisation needs diligent student volunteers to
visit helmet factories, engage in training, and
promote the Child Helmet Campaign.
In this Service Learning activity students learn
about the importance of helmet safety; visit the
Protec Helmet factory to observe the production
process of quality helmets; and advocate on
behalf of AIPF and promote their Child Helmet
Campaign in the UNIS and broader community.
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning HELMETS for KIDS
LEVEL: GRADES 9 - 12
CONCEPT: HEALTH
FOCUS: HANOI
DURATION: September—May
TRIPS/VISITS:
Various through the year.
Semester 1 visit to Helmet
Factory
information
HEALTH HANOI Grades 9 - 12
“Children with facial deformities who do not
receive reconstructive surgery often have difficulty
breathing, drinking, eating and speaking. As a
result, many suffer from malnutrition, medical and
psychological problems. Approximately 1 in 500
children is born with a facial deformity. In as little
as 45 minutes, and for approximately $250 USD,
one cleft lip surgery can change a child’s life
forever. (Operation Smile)
Operation Smile was founded in 1982 in the USA
and is a worldwide children’s medical charity
whose network of global volunteers are dedicated
to helping improve the health and lives of children
and young adults. Since its founding, Operation
Smile volunteers have treated more than 130,000
children born with cleft lips, cleft palates and other
facial deformities and the organization has a
presence in 51 countries.
In this Service Learning activity, students learn
about the work of Operation Smile and explore
the link between poverty and health; participate
in local Operation Smile ‘missions’ to support
children and their families pre- and post-surgery;
promote the work of Operation Smile in the local
community primarily through an annual
fundraising concert.
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning OPERATION SMILE
LEVEL: GRADES 9 - 12
CONCEPT: HEALTH & DISABILITY
FOCUS: VIETNAM
DURATION: September—May
TRIPS/VISITS: Various missions yearly.
Operation Smile Concert.
information
HEALTH & DISABILITY VIETNAM Grades 9 - 12
“It is estimated that the annual number of
childhood cancer cases in Northern Vietnam is
1700. Currently less than 20% of these children
come to the National Hospital of Pediatrics in
Hanoi for treatment, and only a limited number of
these children will complete their therapy.” (Lund,
Vietnam)
Located inside the cancer hospital’s Tam Hiep
branch on the city’s outskirts, the Pediatrics
Department receives an average 100 cancer
patients every year. The children are from 2 to16
years old. The hospital estimates the number of
children suffering from cancer is 1 per cent of total
cancer cases nationwide.
The National Hospital of Pediatrics also specializes
in the treatment of children, and receives
patients from different provinces across Vietnam.
Most patients come from low-income families with
parents working in agriculture. Life for these
families is often very difficult. During the treatment
period, patients do not have the opportunity to
participate in common leisure activities, which
adds to the stress of staying a long time in
hospital.
In this Service Learning activity students learn
about the causes and treatment of children’s
cancer in Vietnam; raise awareness in the UNIS
community of the issues facing children with
cancer in Vietnam; socialize with the children at
the hospitals and devise enjoyable activities for
them; fund-raise to provide gifts and donations to
children and their families at the hospital.
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning TAM HIEP or PAEDIATRIC HOSPITAL
LEVEL: GRADES 9 - 12
CONCEPT: HEALTH
FOCUS: VIETNAM
DURATION: September—May
TRIPS/VISITS: Sat. morning once per month
from 08.00—12.30
information
HEALTH HANOI Grades 9 - 12
“Nearly 10 million people in Vietnam live in
sub-standard and undignified housing and over
38% of the country’s rural population lack access
to clean water and over 50% lack adequate
sanitation. This situation will worsen with the effects
of climate change and natural disasters, which is
already impacting the poor and most vulnerable
groups in Vietnam.” (Habitat for Humanity)
Habitat for Humanity International is a non-
governmental organization whose aim is to create
“a world where everyone has a decent place to
live” (HfH). In their goal to eliminate poverty
housing, volunteers are sought to build houses and
to raise awareness about poverty and housing.
Habitat for Humanity Vietnam (HFH Vietnam)
mobilizes resources (materials, labor and
financing) to build, renovate or repair houses with
vulnerable families who are willing to partner by
working on their houses and paying towards its
cost, typically through a housing microfinance
loan. Housing loan repayments go into a revolving
fund from which additional beneficiary families
can access to build or improve their home.
In this Service learning activity students
investigate and develop an understanding of the
work of Habitat for Humanity; raise awareness of
the issues the organization aims to tackle; and
raise funds throughout the year in order to attend
a house build in the North of Vietnam and
provide a ‘pot’ for future UNIS volunteers. During
the build, students have jobs such as carrying
(bricks, water, rocks, beams, and tools), laying
bricks, mixing mortar, digging, and assisting in any
unskilled labor tasks.
LEVEL: GRADES 9 - 12
CONCEPT: POVERTY
FOCUS: VIETNAM
DURATION: September—May
TRIPS/VISITS: 4-day house build once per
year
information
POVERTY VIETNAM Grades 9 - 12
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning HABITAT for HUMANITY
“Viet Nam has made impressive strides toward
ensuring all children have access to a quality
education. These overall achievements are limited
however by concerns about disparities in access,
completion rates and in the overall quality of
education Vietnamese children are receiving.
Linguistically diverse ethnic minority populations
struggle with mandatory instruction in Vietnamese
and this contributes to a far lower education
attainment among ethnic minority children. In
comparison with other minority groups in Vietnam,
the H’mong have been assessed to be the most
economically vulnerable with the highest poverty
rate, and the lowest educational
achievements.” (UNICEF)
‘Helping Hands’ is a community service project
established to provide funding, resources and
general capacity building to Sin Chai Primary
School – a local H’mong primary school in the
Sa Pa area, Lao Cai Province, Vietnam.
In this Service Learning activity students learn
about the H’mong ethnic minority – their life and
culture; learn about the education provision for
H’mong children in Vietnam; visit Sin Chai Primary
School for needs assessment and to implement
small capacity building projects; raise funds to
support the school, and the education and well-
being of the children; host children and teachers
at UNIS events; provide the opportunity for
families to sell local products at Fair Trade prices
at the annual UNIS Spring Fair.
Please note: students will be required to make a
contribution to the costs of the visits to Sa Pa. Payment
for each trip will be required at the beginning of the
appropriate semester.
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning HELPING HANDS
LEVEL: GRADES 10—12
CONCEPT: POVERTY
FOCUS: VIETNAM
DURATION: September—May
TRIPS/VISITS: 2 trips to Sa Pa per year/one
per semester
information
POVERTY VIETNAM Grades 10 - 12
“Although economic reform has brought
remarkable progress in poverty reduction in
Vietnam, the scale and depth of ethnic minority
poverty in Vietnam presents one of the major
challenges to achieving the targets for poverty
reduction set out in the Socio-Economic
Development Plan, as well as the Millennium
Development Goals.” (Chronic Poverty Research
Centre, 2010)
HELVETAS Swiss Inter-cooperation is working with
ethnic minorities in northern Vietnam in a variety of
areas, including: skills development and education
and the rural economy (particularly fair trade),
Most of these communities are in mountainous
regions and excluded from the rest of the
country’s development.
This is a NEW activity for 2014 - 15 and students will
be primarily engaged in exploring and learning
about the work of HELVETAS in Vietnam, and
investigating potential opportunities for Service
Learning.
Please note: students will be required to make a
contribution to the costs of the visits to Sa Pa. Payment
for each trip will be required at the beginning of the
appropriate semester.
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning HELVETAS VIETNAM
LEVEL: GRADES 9 - 11
CONCEPT: POVERTY
FOCUS: VIETNAM
DURATION: September—May
TRIPS/VISITS:
2 X 3 day/2 night trips to Mai
Chau per year (one per se-
mester)
information
POVERTY VIETNAM Grades 9 - 11
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning MICROFINANCE & SOCIAL ENTERPRISE “This is not charity. This is business: business with a
social objective, which is to help people get out of
poverty.” (Muhammad Yunus, Founder of
Grameen Bank and Nobel Peace Prize recipient)
Microfinance is grounded in the belief that many
poor people remain trapped in poverty due to a
lack of access to credit and other financial
services – and, conversely, that small capital
injections can enable significant economic and
social improvements for borrowers.
In 2014—15, with a grant from the UNIS Birthday
Gift Fund this activity will be run in collaboration
with Bloom Microventures - a non-profit social
business providing microcredit to entrepreneurs
living below the poverty line in Vietnam - this is a
Service Learning activity that supports students in
becoming positive agents of change, while
promoting the basic fundamentals of social
enterprise and microfinance.
In this Service Learning activity students learn and
explore the fundamentals of microfinance and
social enterprise in tackling poverty; work closely
with Bloom Microventures to identify individuals
and groups in the community requiring
microloans, and monitor and evaluate how the
loans are used; take the lead in creating
mini-enterprises that bring benefits to specific
communities in Vietnam; and establish their own
microcredit ‘bank’. In addition, students promote
the use of microcredit in other UNIS Service
learning activities.
LEVEL: GRADES 9 - 12
CONCEPT: POVERTY
FOCUS: VIETNAM
DURATION: September—May
TIME/DATE:
4 X whole day Saturday/
Weekday visits. Once per
quarter
information
POVERTY VIETNAM Grades 9 - 12
“KOTO stands for Know One, Teach One and
reflects our belief that if you're in a position where
you can help someone less fortunate, then you
should help them and the greatest thanks you can
receive is to one day see that person be in a
position to do the same for someone else.” Jimmy
Pham – KOTO Founder & Executive Chairman.
Blue Dragon offers programmes for
disadvantaged and vulnerable young people
“ … tailored to their individual needs, whether it be
education, nutrition, health care, counseling,
physical and creative activities, rescue, legal
advocacy or safe shelter led by a team of social
workers, psychologists, teachers and
lawyers.” (Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation)
UNIS’s work with the under-privileged young
people of the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation
and KOTO has a long history.
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning KOTO & BLUE DRAGON
COMMUNITY SPORT
LEVEL: GRADES 9 - 12
CONCEPT: POVERTY & DISADVANTAGE
FOCUS: HANOI
DURATION: September—May
TRIPS/VISITS:
Weds. after school once per
week (rotation) from 4.45—
6.00 p.m.
Semester visits to KOTO and
Blue Dragon centres.
information
POVERTY & DISADVANTAGE HANOI Grades 9 - 12
“Dioxin even in tiny amounts is associated with
severe health damage that can shorten the lives
of people exposed to it, and potentially that of
their offspring and future generations.” (The Aspen
Institute) Vietnam claims half a million children
have been born with serious birth defects, while as
many 2 million people are suffering from cancer or
other illness caused by Agent Orange
(History.com)
The Peace Village was established in 1991 and
provides a home and education for children and
young people who are suffering from the effects
of Agent Orange. The aim of the village is to care
for these children & help them integrate into
society.
In this Service Learning activity UNIS students learn
about the effects of Agent Orange on Vietnam;
plan and run a variety of activities for the young
people from the Peace Village including, sport
and craft activities; arrange trips and visits for the
disabled children to places of interest in Hanoi
(the Zoo, Puppet Theatre, Aquarium, etc.); and
conduct fund-raising activities throughout the
semester to support visits and small projects at the
Peace Village.
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning PEACE VILLAGE
LEVEL: GRADES 9 - 12
CONCEPT: DISABILITY & DISADVANTAGE
FOCUS: HANOI
DURATION: September—May
TRIPS/VISITS: Weds. afternoon once per
month from 2.45—5.30
information
DISABILITY & DISADVANTAGE HANOI Grades 9 - 12
“People with disabilities represent a
disproportionately high proportion of the world's
poor. Recognizing the reciprocal relationship
between disability and poverty, leading to
increased vulnerability and social exclusion,
disability has been flagged as a key development
issue in meeting the United Nations Millennium
Development Goals and in eradicating world
poverty.” (‘Social Protection and Disability: Policy
Lessons from Vietnam’, ESRC Economic and Social
Research Council)
“Though there is little agreement on how many
disabled live in Vietnam, one indisputable fact is
that this group is at a huge disadvantage
compared to the non-disabled.” (The Disabled in
Vietnam, Michael Tatarski)
Thuy An Village is a centre in Ba Vi Province,
Vietnam, for children and adults with a range of
physical and mental disabilities, ranging from the
moderate to severe.
In this Service Learning activity students learn
about the centre and investigate the link between
poverty, disability and health in a low-middle
income country like Vietnam; support the disabled
children at the village; learn touch-therapy to use
during visits; and plan fundraising ‘events’ which
include an educational component to raise
awareness and knowledge of the challenges that
the children at Thuy An face.
In the spring of 2012, some former students
returned to Vietnam to support the centre at Thuy
An providing a water system and engaging in
gardening work. In addition, UNIS continues to
sponsor 3 blind children from Thuy An to study at
the Hai Phong Blind school where they can
receive a better education.
In 2014, the SCO allocated $2,000 for medical
treatment at the centre, and a medical team
organised by the UNIS health centre visited in
April. As a result, a number of children received
immediate medical care.
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning THUY AN VILLAGE
LEVEL: GRADES 10 - 12
CONCEPT: POVERTY & DISABILITY
FOCUS: VIETNAM
DURATION: September—May
TRIPS/VISITS: Sat Morning once per month
08.00—13.00
information
POVERTY & DISABILITY VIETNAM Grades 10 - 12
The High School Ambassadors is a group of
students dedicated to the positive promotion of
the United Nations International School.
In this Service Learning activity students will work
with the Counseling Office at UNIS to provide a
positive role model for younger students; serve as
liaisons between the current UNIS community, and
new and prospective students. Student
Ambassadors support and are visible at many
campus events including those for prospective
students and families, and work in conjunction with
the Counseling Office. Students in this activity
have the opportunity to develop public relations
and interpersonal skills.
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning HS AMBASSADORS
LEVEL: GRADES 9—12
CONCEPT: OTHER
FOCUS: UNIS
DURATION: September—May
TRIPS/VISITS: Various UNIS events
throughout the year
information
OTHER UNIS Grades 9 - 12
“Through the work of the High School Senate,
students in grades 9-12 are provided with a forum
to communicate about the issues that are
important to them on campus with faculty and
administration. As a result of exciting student-
organized events, school spirit in the high school
continues to grow significantly every year thanks
to the work of the Senate. The Senate also makes
annual financial contributions to other service
programs through fundraising.
In 2014, the Senate donated nearly $3000 to
Operation Healthy Heart, enough to fund a full
operation for a child in need.” (HS Senate)
The High School Senate allows students an
opportunity to shape their experiences on campus
and allow student views and opinions to be
presented to the school’s faculty and
administration by electing representatives from
each grade level. Skills in organization,
communication and leadership are developed
through hands-on experience throughout the
year. Senate events such as the Prom, Talent
Show, Spirit Week and more have grown in size
and reputation, becoming key milestones in the
academic year that all students look forward to.
Additionally, the Senate contributes to charitable
causes through fundraising activities throughout
the year.
In this Service Learning activity, elected student
representatives work together to provide a voice
for the student body; work with the faculty and
administration to provide student perspective on
school issues; plan and coordinate student events
both on campus and in the community; and
control their own budget for student events and
donate surplus funds to student-selected service
organizations. An officer board is elected within
the Senate to lead meetings, spearhead Senate
initiatives and liaise with school faculty and
administration.
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning HS SENATE
LEVEL: GRADES 9—12
CONCEPT: OTHER
FOCUS: UNIS
DURATION: September—May
TRIP/VISITS: Semester 1 retreat
information
OTHER UNIS Grades 9 - 12
The Year Book is a publication that reflects the
events and lives of people involved in the school in
a given year. It should be honest, thorough and
accurate … it is a memory book, a history book, a
record book ... (Herff Jones)
In this Service Learning activity students work
together to plan, design and create the UNIS
school Yearbook. Students learn skills in
collaboration, organisation and meeting
deadlines are developed through hands-on
experience throughout the year.
This is a activity that will appeal to students who
have an interest in design and desktop publishing.
Year Book cover 2014.
“For this design, I worked together with Patrick
Healy. He gave me the idea, and I created it in
Photoshop. The idea for this cover was to have
stripes running along horizontally, which would be
colored with the main color of a popular social
networks. Then on the front, in each stripe there
are keywords from UNIS' Mission Statement each
in the styles of its stripes' corresponding social
network. By doing this, we combined UNIS' ideals
together with the social network theme. (Nils)
academic year that all students look forward to.
Additionally, the Senate contributes to charitable
causes through fundraising activities throughout
the year.“
By Patrick Healy (11RW) & Nils Jaranovs (9AM)
LEVEL: GRADES 9—11
CONCEPT: OTHER
FOCUS: UNIS
DURATION: September—May
TRIP/VISITS:
information
OTHER UNIS Grades 9– 11
UNIS Hanoi Service Learning HS YEARBOOK
UNIS Service Learning
UNIS Hanoi, G9 Ciputra, Phu Thuong, Tay Ho, Hanoi
G.P.O. Box 313, Hanoi, Vietnam
Tel: +84 4 3758 1551—Fax: +84 437581542
Website: http://www.unishanoi.org
“To the world you might me a person,
but to a person you might be the world”