Service as Action

Are you in the MYP and struggling to find a Service Action idea? This website has various in and out of school projects that you can do with information on the club/organization, an idea of the work expected and other things you would need to know.

You may find it difficult to come up with a Service Action project suitable to you because you do not feel it is important. Let me explain why your help is needed, both within Nations and outside.

To help students learn and become the best versions of themselves, the school environment needs to feel like a safe space where they can freely express their opinions and beliefs, which is why clubs are important. Clubs are a place where students can come together and bond over a topic of shared interest, this builds a community and bring students together. Finding this community of people alike is key to making people feel seen and heard, which creates comfort, trust and safety. By having a community where students know they matter and others have the same issues and concerns, they can help each other overcome these things. Overall, this builds a better and more equal learning environment.

The issue is that a safe school environment is only available to the students and staff, people outside of Nations do not have this same support and love from each other, which is why creating an equally as safe community in the city you live in matters. Some adults are lucky enough to have this at work, but many do not have the opportunity to work in places who offer this and many do not work at all. Therefore, volunteering for organizations whose purpose is to create this community is very useful and could change someone's life.

Many people struggle to volunteer due to their schedule, laziness, lack of interest, lack of creativity (there are countless fun things you can do to help!), and, worst of all, lack of personal gain. To some, the idea of putting in time and effort for no monetary or material reward seems like a waste. This complicates the process of finding a Service Action project. Therefore, I will explain to you the many benefits you receive from helping others.

Firstly, there is evidence that the social and physical interactions that come from helping others incite a physiological change in our brains, stopping feelings of loneliness and isolation and creating happiness as a result. On top of making us happier, volunteering gives us a sense of purpose and identity which boosts our self-esteem. This is because seeing others happier, less stressed or in an overall better place thanks to our efforts and care feels very rewarding and fulfilling. Surprisingly, these positive emotions that helping others provoke in us also impact our physical health. Feeling better about ourselves removes stress, a cause of immune system weakening and many illnesses. Technically, volunteering on a regular basis makes us healthier!

All students at Campus des Nations have the privilege of having an education on top of all the basics which many others cannot afford. By helping those in need, we put things into perspective and become more self-aware. Understanding how fortunate we are makes us more grateful and gives us a positive outlook on life. This internal happiness creates an optimistic and kind aura which are wonderful traits in friends, family members, classmates, etc.. So helping strangers also helps strengthen your own relationships.

The last big impact of helping is the trendsetting effect. Studies show that people are more likely to do volunteer work if others do it too, so be the influence and together you can make an even bigger impact! Yes, this isn't exactly personal gain, but you are inspiring others, which is a pretty big accomplishment.

I've already talked about the positive mindset helping develops, but did you know that it is an actual phenomena called the "activism cure"? What I explained prior is the effects of this so called "cure", a remedy for anxiety and depression which consists simply in helping others.

To resume, helping others helps you.