By Adelaide German (IGCSE C2027)
Climbing the ladder of success isn’t exactly a walk in the park but the view from the top? Worth it! That mix of pride, joy, and relief you feel when your hard work finally pays off is unbeatable.
This year, we at IB Arthur School decided to do something bold. We took a giant step outside our comfort zone and entered the Your World Competition. The challenge was to create a project based on SDG 4: Quality Education for All. Our goal was to promote inclusive, equitable education and lifelong learning opportunities. We were not sure what to expect—maybe just a fun experience. However, what we got was so much more.
Where do you start when you’re trying to make a real difference? That was our big question. We scoured the internet, checked out several schools, and finally discovered Kubekro KKMA Basic School. The school was full of bright students and dedicated staff but with one major challenge: a non-existent computer lab. It was clear that if we wanted to make an impact, this was the place to start.
The next challenge was raising the money. Cue the brainstorming. We gathered in the dining hall twice to pitch ideas. Sports day? Sponsored walk? Auction? We debated and voted and finally decided on embarking on a sponsored walk and organising a funfair.
The funfair, particularly, had us thrilled. We wanted the entire community involved, and we knew we had to make it a day to remember for a long time to come. Over the next few weeks, we went full throttle into planning. Fundraising efforts kicked off inside and outside the school. Everyone contributed wholeheartedly.
Thanks to the walk, we raised enough to give the school’s exterior a fresh coat of paint. Then came the funfair day and what a blast we had. There was something for everyone: a bouncy castle for the little ones, intense football matches with scores that kept us on edge swimming pool fun, video games for the gamers, and, of course, delicious food that kept everyone coming back for more!
The best part is that we didn’t just meet our fundraising goal—we smashed it, collecting over double what we aimed for. With the money raised, we bought twenty brand-new desktop computers and enough furniture to kit out the lab. Over the next few weeks, we visited the school twice a week to set everything up. From repainting windows and doors to arranging the equipment, we poured our hearts into every step.
Our final visit was nothing short of emotional. Seeing the transformation was like watching a dream come true. We facilitated their first step toward digital literacy by hosting a mini workshop to teach students how to use Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Mavis Beacon.
After all the sweat, hustle, and high-fives, we were proud of our accomplishment. It was not just because we had completed the project, but because a real difference had been made in the lives of our peers in Kubekro KKMA Basic School. Though it was our first time tackling something this big, we didn’t let that stop us.
And the cherry on top? We placed third in the national rankings. Whether we won the ultimate prize or not didn’t matter. What mattered most was the smiles we saw and the lives we helped change. This is because sometimes, success isn’t about trophies. It is about taking one more step toward making the world a better place.