Support the Sustainable Development Project

Hello everyone!

My name is Sabine Martin and I am a student at the International School of Paris. I only started a few months ago and was quickly immersed into a fantastic international community. I have already had so much fun at this school and am learning about additional opportunities. I only want to grow from here. After observing different projects and missions available within and thru the school, I submitted an application to be a part of a group who will redesign one of our buildings at school. We will use our creativity as well as skills in architecture, design and presentation. This is a fantastic opportunity but, not the main point of this letter.

A few weeks ago I submitted an application for a school humanities trip. This school trip is planned to Namibia, a country in Africa. As seen in previous years, the selected students for the trip started working at a local village school, and interacting with students and adults. They did physical labor such as repainting the dorm rooms, digging a trench to put in a new fence, and other activities. However they also worked with the local students by teaching them English. In exchange the students at the school taught ISP students their local dialect. The trip seemed wholesome and impactful as everyone involved had fun teaching, learning and helping this community. They were able to experience a new culture, try new foods and live a different lifestyle for a few weeks.

I was inspired and decided that I also wanted to be able to help a community and learn about a new culture. I immediately started writing my application, answering questions such as “what three words would you use to describe yourself” and “what do you wish to achieve by going on this trip”.

After submitting my application along with 60 other students, I was given an interview date. I went into the room prepped and ready to answer all their questions and talk about my intentions and goals. A few days later I received an email from Ms.Cyrille, the organizer of the trip, saying I was accepted! Me and 20 other students had been selected out of 60 students to go on this trip. I was overjoyed and so proud of myself and others for being accepted. I felt a huge wave of relief knowing I now had the chance to take part in this cause. Additionally, the next day I received another email which said “You have been selected to be team leader of one group.” Now not only was I fortunate enough to be chosen as part of the larger group, I was selected to be a team leader! Only 3 other students hold this position out of the 20 considered.

Going to Namibia as a group leader will help me gain confidence in my leadership, help me practice my organizational skills and simply would be an incredible life experience. I will make memories to last a lifetime. I truly believe that going to Namibia will be an unforgettable growth experience.

The trip itself takes place during the summer in July 2023. It is a three-week commitment, and the group leaves right at the end of the school year. We will be staying and focusing on the Omuhaturua school in Otjiwarongo, Namibia. Meetings and organization of the project commenced this month and will continue until our departure. The group responsibility will not be easy. However, I intend to get the job done with accuracy and efficiency. I want to be able to help a community along with my peers and community; we can all do good and impactful work together.

Part of the learning and progression behind this trip is for students to fundraise all financial means we need to construct, repair and support the school. The SDP project was created for students to gain independence in their work. This trip is organized and executed solely by ISP students, and we are required to raise 4200 euros each. This amount covers material for our projects, such as bricks, paint, etc., as well as food, school supplies, rental camping gear and other necessities needed while camping at the site. I plan to raise money by offering services such as babysitting, pet sitting, hosting bake sales at school and support from friends and family. Any extra money raised, will as well go straight into the project to purchase additional school supplies and sanitary items for the villages.

During the trip itself, we have planned and continue to plan some of the things we will do to help the community. At the moment, we as a group have decided on; restoring 8 bedrooms, restoring the kitchen, purchasing basic classroom materials and purchasing sports shoes. There will surely be more added, but this is the start of our list.

I'm now asking you to please help me to make this opportunity become a reality. I have been given a leadership role in this project, and I intend to support my community through the duration of this project with the utmost commitment and enthusiasm.

I have been allocated a small group of year 10 and 11 students. Within these groups, we come up with ideas, host bake sales and plans for the trip. As the leader of a group, I attend extra meetings, and manage our deadlines and organization. Now I am asking you if you can make this happen by donating to this worthy cause.

Along with your donation, I will update the page with photos, videos, and messages about our trip. You will automatically receive a notification when these are posted, allowing you engagement in the process.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story, and I really hope you found it useful and inspiring. Even doing the littlest thing can make a big difference. By helping me to help another community you yourself can become a part of the Sustainable Development Project.