Foundation RACE4GOOD

Tracey Brownrigg

Co-Curricular Coordinator and Community Service Project Manager British International School, Ho Chi Minh City

In May this year, a team of thirty-four Year 7 and 8 BIS HCMC students participated in a competition which was like no other. A unique experiential learning and social impact experience which took them on a journey of empathy and compassion!

Race4Good was founded by renowned international humanitarian, Linda Cruse who saw an opportunity to bring together schools from around the world to take part in a series of ground-breaking races aimed at uplifting communities in need. Over the course of the competition, the students learn team-building skills, critical thinking, entrepreneurial business development, budgeting and presentation skills. They increase their intercultural competency as they tackle real-life critical issues and develop their practical problem-solving skills.

The focus was on a small village in Haiti where the students engaged virtually with a single-parent family of three children who survived on an average monthly income of $30. As they were taken on a tour of the family shack and introduced to their single goat, the students were struck by the abject poverty of the family and that of the surrounding community. The first mid-race challenge was to economically uplift this family with a budget of 150 GBP and just 72 hours to draw up a business plan which outlined both short and long term outcomes, prepare a detailed budget, as well as, deliver a video presentation of their proposal. As their supervisor, it was humbling to watch these dynamic young people collaborating, researching and innovatively exploring possible sustainable solutions. I needed to remind myself that they were only 11 or 12 years old – their leadership, creativity, perseverance and discipline was truly inspiring!

Their commitment and hard work was rewarded when they were declared the winners of this challenge. Their solution? To equip the family with training and resources to begin making soap out of goat's milk! Within 2 days their business plan had been implemented and we had received a video showing the process (watch here).

A couple of weeks later a letter and photographs followed which explained that the family were in full production and had begun selling their soap at the local market, enabling them to generate a regular income. The realisation of what they had achieved affected the students in varying ways with one tearfully exclaiming “this hasn’t just been an exercise, this has been real life!”.

Race4Good provided a unique opportunity for our students to recognise their ability as leaders and changemakers and to authentically impact lives! We look forward to joining other FOBISIA schools in the upcoming weeks as we engage with vulnerable indigenous people from across the Arctic and again, hope to leave a legacy of change!