Jann Mitchell Visit in September
“Embrace Diversity, Explore the World” had a real significance for our students when Jann Mitchell, founder of the Bibi Jann Children’s Care Trust, came to ISGR to speak to all PYP and LPO classes. Jann, the founder of a project in Mbagala, Tanzania was already a familiar name here at our school. Beth Andersson, specialist in the Library/Media Center, travelled to Tanzania in February 2009 with Jann, and before this trip she informed each class about the plight of the children and grandmothers in the village of Mbagala, and Jann’s tireless work to help.
Jann showed slides of the children and grandmothers of Mbagala, spoke of the great problems under which they live, and listened carefully to the questions asked by our students.
Twenty-five grandmothers in Dar es Salaam Tanzania, who have lost their husbands and children to the AIDS epidemic, are now the only providers for their orphaned grandchildren. Without jobs, or even places to live, these women had no hope that they could provide for their grandchildren. The Bibi Jann Children’s Care Trust came to the rescue in 2001 by starting a school and projects to help the grandmothers become self-sustaining.
The response from our students was amazing! The children of ISGR showed great empathy and raised enough money during and after the Christmas Bazaar 2008 to purchase 180 pairs of school shoes for the orphans at the Bibi Jann Academy. Shoes and uniforms are required for all children at school, and many families can not afford this luxury.
Beth Andersson
International Week in the ISGR Library/Media Center
This year the library/media center was the central point of the world. The “United World” exhibition gave our students a number of ways to see their place in our universe. An ISGR passport was distributed to each and every student in both PYP and LPO. This passport was stamped during our exhibition day, when classes walked about to see each other’s displays
Peoples of the World figures were made by Klass 5A&B and shown in our library. Each wonderful figure represented a special face, designed by a student. Handmade flags of the world were also part of the decoration.
A picture installation showing people and places in our world could be found on the floor of the room. Each picture had a story, and all the pictures together showed that no matter where one is from, or who we are, we all share the need to belong, be loved, and have our needs met.
Book displays about life around the world caught the students’ interest and many books that had never been checked out before became interesting. Special lessons were given as each class came for their regular library time. Books showing the richness of diversity were read aloud and discussed.
In addition, a contest was held for all classes. Students were asked to write a short essay about what they personally could do to make our world a better place. Winners from each grade received a book and certificate.
Rouhia Lotfkhah