The Little Things Matter

Dorothy Koay

What does a small group of fifteen Dalat high schoolers do every Monday to directly impact individuals who are as far as 4,500 miles away? They walk into the Penang classroom during X-Block, with a heart to serve those who are less privileged than them, as members of the From Kids 4 Kids Club.

As a devoted and supportive supervisor of the club, Ms. Shawna Wood recounted that the club was first formed seven years ago. It was started by a group of eighth graders who were inspired to serve after a Social Studies lesson that talked about an individual’s rights and responsibilities in their community. As the young servant leaders recognized their potential to bring about positive influence on their community, they reached out to Ms. Wood and decided to form a club where they can carry out realistic plans in hopes of bringing even the smallest change to the world.  

From Kids For Kids Club stands with the notion: “No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.” For the members of the club, it is not so much about changing the world, than it is about changing someone’s world. This firm and intentional mindset guided the club in making major decisions such as becoming the financial supporters of three kids: Mostafa Ibrahim, Sasidu Deadiyale Gedara, and Thi Loan Bui, for as long as three years, six years, and seven years, respectively. 

Not only does the club puts its focus on funding children to ensure they get their needed education, members of the club also connect with the children on a personal level by sending each child at least one letter every month. 

Some ways that the club have raised money in the past was by doing baking sales or by collecting donations through chapel services. One chapel service on February 2019, for instance, have collected as much as RM1735 from both the High School and Middle School department. 

As Dalat students go on from middle school to high school, from high school to college, and college to the outside world, Ms. Wood encourages students to be intentional in making positive influences on the people around them as she enthusiastically declares, “Everybody can make a difference! You just have to get involved.”