February Market Spotlights Student Service & NGOs

The Community Market at ICS is a highlight of the calendar each month, and the February edition put a special focus on our school’s commitment to service.

On top of the tables of food vendors, homemade crafts, plants, and local products we’re used to seeing at the market, campus was filled with booths showcasing non-government organizations and student service clubs committed to making an impact in our local and global communities.

“Our service clubs empower students to be change-makers and impact their community positively,” Service Learning Coordinator Siham Omar said. “Students are being challenged to come out of their comfort zones, which will allow them to learn life skills, to develop a sense of social responsibility, cultural awareness, apply real world problem-solving skills and become inspirational global citizens. Having the community know about student projects is another way of doing service through advocacy.”

There are 13 student-led service clubs at ICS, and those in attendance at the market were focused on a range of different efforts, including gender inequality, women empowerment, and Ethiopian wildlife conservation. There were also several local and multinational NGOs aiming to support some of Ethiopia's most vulnerable people.

The Community Market is organized by the ICS Parent Teacher Organization, and Chairperson Jen Sawyer said this one was extra special for our school community.

This idea of ‘active compassion’ with the world that surrounds us can be lived in many different ways. Fostering a spirit of cooperation and partnership, and networking with local NGOs is one way the PTO together with ICS students and staff can do that,” Jen said. “NGOs presented themselves as potential partners not only for student projects, such as CAS and PLEx, but also for all sorts of volunteer work and donation drives.”