NIST long-term support for its staff affected by the floods - a learning opportunity during the flood crisis

NIST, the New International School of Thailand continues its flood relief effort by implementing a long-term assistance plan for its 37 affected staff members. Since the flooding intensified in October, aside from providing shelter to staff who evacuated from their homes, the School has helped by giving financial support valued at Baht 8,000 per family as well as using this as an opportunity for its students’ learning and community services activities.

NIST has organised a number of fund-raising activities securing over 1 million Baht to buy 100 boats and packing and distributing over 1,500 relief packs to the flood-affected areas. In addition, NIST has simultaneously helped its staff by planning and carrying out a series of activities.

“Our long-term plan is to help our staff repair, rebuild and replace what was lost. We are asking staff or student volunteers to help repair and clean up the houses of those staff affected by the floods. We have also given each of the 37 families home repair supplies worth Baht 5,000 on top of the Baht 3,000 in cash we gave to them in the beginning, to rebuild their house and their life. In the long run, NIST will provide 6 months zero % interest loans to the value of the staff’s salary as well, to replace what they lost. We believe that in order to be a strong school, we need to be strong from within”, said Mr. Simon Leslie, the Headmaster.

Students also had an opportunity to learn from the unfortunate events that affected some of the school’s staff. Jennilea, Year 8 teacher said:

“As part of the school’s House programme, all students in years 7, 8 and 9 engage with Community & Service through APS – Action, Performance, and Service. Originally, the Year 8s were going to inquire into the role of elephants in Thai culture and how they could raise awareness of the issues surrounding their declining population and mistreatment. When the flooding began, though, it was clear that the focus of the programme had to be redirected to address immediate needs. It is important for students to understand that a critical part of meaningful Community & Service is readjusting to address immediate and pressing issues.

It was also important for us to have our students understand that the flooding is not something that is happening to “them” over “there” and that it is a crisis that has affected many members of our own community. Students need to recognize that Community & Service requires one to, “think global, act local.” We wanted students to connect directly with those in our immediate NIST community who had been affected.”

Overall, the Year 8s were able to take this crisis as an opportunity to engage in meaningful Community & Service in line with our School’s vision for Community & Service, that “Service empowers you to connect with others to take action to enrich yourself, our communities, and the world.” By connecting directly with those affected, students were able to assess their needs and assist in the packing of relief kits and purchasing of necessary supplies, in order to enrich the lives of our affected Thai staff members as well as their own learning. Their experiences are illustrated in the quotes below:

“We have learned the process that we need to go through to help people. It’s not always just to give money. By talking to our staff and going shopping with them, we gained knowledge on what they really needed. I’m really happy that I could help the flood victims because it feels good to know that you are helping someone in need that is in your community.” Samantha Drew, Y8 Red House

“I have also gained personally. I started to appreciate what we have and don’t take things for granted so much any more. I feel thankful for what I have.”Aishah Ariffin Y8 Red House

“Our group didn’t get a chance to get our hands dirty by going out with staff. But we were assigned to do research in order to put together a ‘safety tips pamphlet’ that helped raise awareness about diseases or dangers to look out for during the flood. We knew that in the end, our work was as beneficial to our staff and we felt as proud by having been able to help.” Mei Lin Nall Y8 Yellow House

“It was a great opportunity to help the flood victims and get their input and ideas to help widen the range of improvement and support. I gained knowledge on the situation and tried to make others knowledgeable so that in any time if they don’t know what to do, they can use their knowledge to get somewhere.” Rosna Sachdev, Y8 Yellow house

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